Daubney faces two year ban

America's Cup veteran trimmer tests positive for a prohibited substance

Simon Daubney, Alinghi's legendary headsail trimmer and a veteran of seven America's Cups, faces a possible two year ban after being tested positive for 'a recreational drug' on the first day the 32nd America's Cup. While the outcome has serious implications for Daubney, it appears it will have not have a consequence for Alinghi or on the outcome of the 32nd America's Cup.

Daubney denies he knowingly took the banned substance. In a statement he said: “Yesterday I went before the five-man 32nd America’s Cup Jury in London regarding a positive doping test taken on 23 June 2007. While Anti Doping Norway did find traces of a recreational drug in the urine sample, the Jury found that there was no fault or negligence on my behalf. This comes as a relief to me as I have never knowingly taken a banned substance however, until this matter is completely resolved, I have resigned from Alinghi, so that they can go about their business without distraction. I hope to return to the team once my name is cleared.
 
"I was found in breach of the America’s Cup Anti Doping Rules after a routine urine test taken by Anti Doping Norway on 23 June 2007. The urine sample returned a positive test for a recreational drug on 13 July 2007. Then the B sample returned a positive result on the 8 August.
 
"I have been bound by confidentiality rules up until now and want to take this opportunity to thank Alinghi and my family and friends for their enormous support during this extremely difficult time. I have done everything in my power to prove that I have never knowingly taken a banned substance of any type and to this end underwent and passed a polygraph test conducted by the UK and European Polygraph Association. I am heartened and relieved that the Jury agrees with my contention that I was a victim of contamination and or drink spiking."
 
Brad Butterworth, Alinghi team skipper comments: “It was unfortunate that Simon had to go through this unpleasant experience, and both his friends and I have fully supported him from the outset. We welcome the Jury findings that there ‘was no fault or negligence on behalf of Simon’. He is a valued team member and close friend and we feel for him and his family having endured this difficult time. Alinghi does wish to make clear that the team in no way condones the use of any drugs.”

So what happens next? A rather paranoid ISAF were reluctant to comment - even on the procedure - as they had not seen the published findings of the AC Jury. However we understand that the next step is that it will be up to Daubney's ISAF 'Member National Authority' (MNA), presumably Yachting New Zealand, to decide upon whether Daubney is to face a ban or not, based on the code laid down by the World Anti-Doping Agency.