Rolex Sydney Hobart 2021 - Protest Update

The protest decision including a statement from Sam Haynes of Celestial.

[@randymcmeekin1955]

Shallow victory for Ichi Ban. This technicality offered no advantage to Celestial and they won based on better racing and seamanship. Low class move to file this protest.

[@spare9434]

Sam's a good man, they are a good bunch he works with. I really feel for them.

[@djholster676]

One cannot help but feel for Sam Haynes and all the Celestial crew in this case.

[@nathanpodmore4602]

Sorry but CELESTIAL won in my books! If it were an isolated incident with the PLB but 12 other boats had the same issue! Typical of I.B to protest can't win on the water so looked for a way in the rule book! The old RACE THE RULES NOT THE COMPETITION!

[@Yachty4000]

Comes across as just an honest chap certainly the moral victor. I have less sympathy than I do for Sunrise in the middle sea race because he appointed the jury! and had a say in the Notice of Race #awkward They never hid from the other competitors or gave himself a competitive advantage and even the safety issue only effected his boat. Equipment related protests are always messy but no penalty isn't really an option but you have to be consistent.

[@General_Crock]

I agree but.... you are well offshore and are told the Race Committee cannot raise the boat closest to you who have an activated EPIRB. Tell me that doesn't play on your mind and affect your focus.

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Devastating and he looks totally deflated. Taking the decision with dignity but clearly this needs looking in to given the other yachts with similar issues. I feel for him and the huge effort his crew put in but I’m sure they stand with him.

[@carlhill3554]

You are a winner !

[@gregshaw4852]

Ichi Ban ..Dishonourable, cowardly, despicable. All the world will remember is how you stole this. “You haven't won the race, if in winning the race you have lost the respect of your competitors.” Paul Elvstrom

[@johnreuteman2724]

Did Ichi Ban try to raise Celestial using their MMSI code? Doesn't the MMSI call technology use relaying through other vessels if direct connection is not possible? Does the race committee keep track and use MMSI calling numbers of each race participant? Sounds like the race committee missed applying that whole communication technology method.

[@djholster676]

AFAIK DSC with MMSI uses channel 70, not 16. The monitoring of Ch.70 is automatic for DSC Alerts, whereas Ch.16 is for all VHF sets, regardless of whether they have DSC, and needs to be monitored by a human.

[@michaelallen7155]

Bummer Sam I feel for you an your crew must be devastating 😔

[@tikkathreebarrels]

Jeez, this is tough. Over now to Ichi Ban.....

[@sellsidedream8766]

I hear there is a meeting taking place to re-open the protest. Guess some new info might have come to light

[@alexjband]

There was a solar storm during that time, radio blackouts in the HF and VHF frequencies could have caused this issue. Were space weather conditions even considered during the hearing?

[@djholster676]

The race organisers could raise Ichi Ban on VHF. Solar storm, really?

[@novoburgo]

We all know that boat, or that owner, who would file a technical protest in order to win a race they clearly lost on the water. Every club has at least one. Once initiated, the rules must be followed to the letter. The act of initiating this sort of protest is what puts the sport in a bad light and reveals the sort of character deficiencies that take away from the pure enjoyment of competition.

[@djholster676]

Remember that the race committee filed the primary protest. Ichi Ban protested for redress for time lost in assisting organisers to raise Celestial on VHF. One simply cannot say Ichi Ban were sore losers.

[@torbenfalholt5707]

It is a security issue and there is nothing more to it. It doesnt matter who filed the protest.

[@paulchrystie5460]

did ichi ban slow/change course? newbie ty

[@JosePedroEspinosa]

I can't believe that Ichi Ban considered a triumph to do this kind of dirty move. This protest says more about Ichi Ban than Celestial.

[@StFidjnr]

Keep in mind the race committee also file a protest against celestial

[@ptewilks2634]

the penalty is politcle runby f witts im so sorry man bless you and your crew

[@oliverliddell613]

Arid technical protest. Ichiban deserves to lose.

[@tswoods2003]

well spoken. I think I would of muttered the words " bunch of pricks".

[@danielwiniger6284]

Lousy crew that posted such a protest on a technicality that seems to happen all the time.

[@General_Crock]

"That crew" is the Race Committee. And do you think any skipper out there with a chance of winning the Tattersall would have expected otherwise? I doubt Sam would if the shoe was on the other foot..