The race against GBR challenge cancelled

The race against GBR challenge cancelled

The Jury has cancelled Alinghi's race against GBR Challenge (raced on October 30) following a protest by the British Team to the Race Committee.

AUCKLAND - October 31, 2002 - Wight Lightning, GBR Challenge's yacht, showed the red flag as she crossed the arrival line 7 minutes and 45 seconds behind Alinghi on October 30. The British Team said they were a victim of unfair treatment, because of changes of course due to wind shifts.

Tonight, the Jury of race of the Louis Vuitton Cup judged that the Race Committee had made an error and decided that the match should be re-raced, for the following reasons: -One of the course marks, as well as the arrival line, was established out of the perimeter considered as the race area. -Legs 2 and 3 were shorter than the 3 nautical Miles required. Alinghi crossed the arrival line 1 minute 40 seconds before the time limit. She may not have made it if the legs had been 3 nautical Miles long.

A re-race is to be held on Saturday the 2nd of November.

QUOTE

BRAD BUTTERWORTH, TACTICIAN - We feel that the results weren't affected by the change in course but obviously we have to abide by the Race Committees decision. This means we will re-race GBR Challenge on Saturday and we will be happy to meet them on the race course again.

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