Volvo Ocean Race competitors Mapfre have been given a two-point penalty after they were adjudged to have made repairs and alterations to their boat without informing officials.
– ADOR focused on race to the USA
– Abu Dhabi look for in-port improvement
– Dongfeng make it to Leg 6 start line
An International Sailing Federation-appointed independent jury announced on Thursday that the Spanish boat would be docked the points after breaching VOR rules as well as Volvo Ocean 65 class rules.
After hearing evidence from race management and the team on Wednesday, the jury ruled that Iker Martinez’s team had applied repairs and alterations on the hull and an outrigger without informing the Volvo Ocean 65 Class Authority (VCA), therefore breaking VOR rules.
The Volvo Ocean 65 class rules require a team to inform the VCA immediately if considering repairs or alterations.
The result of the penalty means Mapfre drop down two places to fifth in the overall standings.
Trabajo sin descanso para tener el mástil listo! Working non-stop to have the mast ready #vamosMAPFRE @volvooceanrace pic.twitter.com/o2WA3jxjiz
— MAPFRE in the VOR (@desafioMAPFRE) April 18, 2015
Mapfre had endured a difficult start to the race but had fought back impressively in the last two legs, claiming leg four victory from Sanya to Auckland and then finishing second behind Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing on leg five from Auckland to Itajai.
That had put them joint third with Team Brunel but they now trail the Dutch team by two points and Team Alvimedica by a point.
The team had argued that in both cases with their bow and outrigger, skipper Martínez had made reinforcements because of fears that both were damaged.
They said the outrigger had broken on previous occasions and they feared the boat and crew were in danger if the measures were not taken.
Although the crew had not informed the VCA, they had openly shared video content showing repairs to race control in Alicante.
“Broke the spreader fitter in the last leg. Riggers worked all night to fix it. Hopefully we can sail tomorrow” – Xabi, @desafioMAPFRE #VOR
— Volvo Ocean Race (@volvooceanrace) April 17, 2015
The five-strong jury did decide, however, that the work, which was completed during leg five, was not done with the purpose of improving the performance of the boat and so their second place in the stage stands.
In separate decisions, the jury also made key rulings about the use of replacement sails for three other teams.
Dongfeng Race Team was given permission to replace their damaged race mainsail with their pre-race mainsail for today’s in-port race as well as leg six, which starts on Sunday, April 19.
Similar applications from Team SCA to replace their fractional code zero sail and Team Vestas Wind to replace their J3 when they return to the race, however, were denied.
Team SCA’s sail was unusable during the fifth leg after it was badly damaged during a Chinese gybe.
“We’ve been penalised for an administrative problem & we’re losing 2 pts” – Xabi Fernández, @desafioMAPFRE #VOR [more info to follow]
— Volvo Ocean Race (@volvooceanrace) April 17, 2015
It has since been repaired but according to skipper Sam Davies, may tear again once the boat returns to sea.
Race rules specify that if a boat damages beyond repair or loses a sail and does not have a spare race sail of the same code, it may apply in writing to the VCA and to the international jury for permission to use her pre-race sail of the same code.
