Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby appear less likely to be using their new Code Zero gennaker after Chief Measurer Dick Batt ruled against the use of a dolphin striker on the bowsprit. In response to two questions from the Australian team, Chief Measurer Dick Batt gave the following answers to their queries about this controversial Tornado technology:
“In accordance with Measurement Regulation 1.2, the Olympic Measurement Committee met and considered the request for a ruling from Michael Jones (AUS) regarding Tornado spinnaker and bowsprit.
The following class rule interpretations were made:
Question:
Does the non-one design ‘code zero’ upwind spinnaker contravene the class rules?
Decision:
The concept of a smaller gennaker does not contravene the class rules. Class Rule G.5.3 does not specify minimum dimensions.
Question:
Is a “dolphin strike” [sic] permitted on the bowsprit?
Decision:
No. The addition of a compression strut and associated rigging below the bowsprit spar would contravene class rules F.5″
Note the wording carefully. The Aussies’ question, describing the code zero spinnaker as ‘non-one design’, implies that perhaps the intention of this ruling is simply an attempt to outlaw the Dutch and American teams’ hopes of using this sail configuration. There was no need for a question to the Measurer to include the term ‘non-one design’ in their question. The Measurer could have worked that out for himself, and clearly he has, as Dick Batt has ruled that the concept of the sail is fully compliant with the Tornado rules, even if the supporting equipment – such as a dolphin striker – is not. So maybe the Aussie query was not to secure the right to use this stuff, more to ensure that others couldn’t use it.
Word is that Austrian skipper Roman Hagara is still in a huff, and talking about holding a press conference to explain why he is threatening to boycott the Olympics unless this sail is outlawed. What a hollow gesture, if ever there was one. A case of ‘not-invented-here’ syndrome. Honestly, why is the bloke worrying? As Sparky pointed out in my latest SailJuice Xpress newsletter, is a string of first places and a string of last places the way to go about winning an Olympic Gold medal?
Will the Yanks or the Dutch really be brave or mad enough to use one of this sails. Mitch Booth has said he will watch the long-range weather forecast closely until the time comes for him to measure in his sails. But is he playing a bluffing game simply to throw his rivals off the trail with some false bait? If he is, then he has played a blinder, because Hagara has swallowed the bait hook, line and sinker.
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