Loyal to face hearing after Line Honours

The celebrity-packed Investic Loyal will face an international sailing panel after a complaint by race stewards that could cost the Super Maxi their line honours victory in the fourth closest finish in the races richest history.

While many complaints usually arise from the races runner up the complaint made against the eventual race winner was brought on by Cruising Yacht Club after the crew allegedly asked an ABC Helicopter for information on the sail of competitor, and five time race winner, Wild Oats XI.

In what was dubbed the closest race in recent history the Investic Loyal Super Maxi claimed provisional line honours after winning a tough fought battle that lasted throughout the entire second day of the race against the five time race winner Wild Oats XI – the winning margin just two minutes and twenty-seven seconds, which historically is the fourth closest finish to the race.

The race was in stark contrast to recent years in which Wild Oats XI have dominated the event including setting a new race record.

It is alleged that a crew member of Loyal asked an ABC Helicopter pilot for information about their closest competitor Wild Oats XI, in particular the type of sail that they were using early on the final day of the race.

he protest papers described the incident as: “Audio recording of conversation between ABC helicopter and Investec LOYAL.

“Crewman from Investec LOYAL seeking information from the helicopter of the sail plan in use on Wild Oats XI.

“In particular, information as to whether Wild Oats XI was flying a trysail.”

Bell attempted to explain the situation on reaching the shore, saying it was a misunderstanding involving an ABC interview with crewman Michael Coxon, who is also the chief executive of a company that supplies the sails to Wild Oats.

“It was the ABC who actually asked for the interview off us, it wasn’t actually the other way round,” Bell said.

“It was just a question by Michael saying, `oh geez, are they all right and I hope they haven’t broken their mainsail’.

“These things cost a quarter-of-a-million dollars and of course he would be concerned as to his business reputation.”

Bell said he was confident the victory would be confirmed by the panel.

“Michael (Coxon) is probably one of Australia’s most decorated yachtsman and he’s never had a skerrick in his whole career of any protest for improper behaviour,” he said.

“It is a bit anti-climactic.

“One thing that can’t be taken away from us, no matter what happens, no matter what’s said, is we sailed one hell of a race out there.”

The ABC posted audio of the conversation between Coxon and its helicopter crew on its website.

Coxon is heard to say: “Can you confirm, does Wild Oats have their trysail up? … What colour is the mainsail they’ve got up?”

He is answered that both sails are grey and replies: “Copy that. That’s great news. Thanks, bye.”

The hearing will be heard at 10am AEST in Hobart to determine the line honours winner with the crew of the Wild Oats XI still holding out hope that the complaint will be held in their favour giving them a sixth race victory.