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From Mike Forster NOKIA
A fair outcome? No. An infringement of the Racing rules, immaterial of the fact that it was with a vessel in a different class is still an infringement and a penalty should be taken. Any yacht racing must obey the rules or safety will be compromised and Gross Tonnage will apply.

From Tim Roe
A fair outcome?You can't throw out a protest of such importance, just on a stupid technicality. The reputations of three well known sailors are on the line. without a proper hearing the allegations will always taint the credibility of all involved. Mac Arthur and Golding must have made some enemies on the EDS committee, for the panel to have pushed this one under the carpet. I think Hall, would also like to be told, it was a misunderstanding, after a proper hearing was held. Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!! )

From M R Hope
What`s your view about this or about limiting routing in offshore races? The only solution to removing any doubt about routing is to remove any restrictions on the availability and source of information for races such as these. Just as Formula 1 legalized traction control because they could not police its use through complex software systems. So must race organizers realize that they cannot stop competitors from accessing "banned" information nor realistically prove that they have done so. The only clear solution is to allow unlimited access to routing information. It will then go on to add to the tactical and strategic battle in offshore racing.

From Colin Strain
Who is right? Josh Hall has been on the scene for a long time and has never once (to my knowledge) criticized another competitor. He's always been upbeat, positive and friendly. He must have something substantial to take such extreme measures. People in all competitive sports will always try to push their luck as far as they can to obtain a competitive advantage. It could be that people have been using some sort of 'loop hole', justified or not, to get routing information. If this is the case then it will be a great pity if they're in the wrong. But let's not forget that this is a yacht race and if you're wrong you're out. Nick Malloney should remember that from his days on Toshiba when they used the engine to clear weed off of the prop. The fact that they did this while becalmed 'could' be coincidence but either way it got them disqualified.

From Ian Flint
Who is right? Gartmore had a valid reason to protest and it appears had evidence and that the protest was forwarded within the time limit.Using illegal IT is similar to taking illegal drugs, ie: an unfair advantage.Perhaps,in future for Ocean Races,in the rules of a race,skippers should advise what outside support they will utilize and handicapped accordingly.

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