With protests filed, International Jury will convene to look at start day collision

Each of the teams involved in a collision shortly after the start of Leg One of The Ocean Race Europe have filed protests against the other.

The cases, filed by Team Holcim PRB and Allagrande MAPEI Racing following a collision shortly after the leg start in Kiel, will be heard by an International Jury that has been sanctioned and appointed by World Sailing.

The Jury consists of World Sailing qualified International Jurors (IJ) and International Umpires (IU):

Andrés Pérez, IJ & IU, ESP, Chairman
Miguel Allen, IJ & IU POR
Chris Atkins, IJ & IU, GBR
Corinne Aulnette, IJ FRA
María Toriijo, IJ & IU ESP
Sofia Truchanowicz, IJ & IU, POL

The hearing is scheduled to take place during the Cartagena stopover following leg two.

Race Director Phil Lawrence says there are a couple of reasons for the timing for the hearing:

“Firstly, the teams involved are currently focussed on repairing the damage and doing all they can to rejoin the race. Should they be successful in getting back on the water in the next days, they are unlikely to have enough time in Portsmouth to adequately prepare their case for a hearing,” he said.

“Secondly, a possible outcome of the hearing is that a team is granted redress by the Jury. When this occurs, the redress might be to award average points for the leg they missed based on previous race performance. That wouldn’t be possible in Portsmouth.”

Both teams continue to work step by step towards a return, with more news expected from each team as their repairs progress and their plans develop.