Discards and Disqualifications at the Olympics

by Anne Hinton

It is interesting to note that, given the variable results of most competitors with the conditions in Qingdao, if a discard were to be applied in the Laser fleet after three races, New Zealand's Andrew Murdoch would be leading the class, instead of lying 13th. Similarly, in the Laser Radial, Jo Aleh (NZL) would be second to Penny Clark (GBR), whereas they are currently 7th and 5th, respectively.

No doubt the organisers in Qingdao are relying on the old adage that 'the winds are tides are always on the side of the ablest navigator'. This is certainly proving true in the case of Ben Ainslie (GBR), the British Yngling girls (Sarah Ayton, Pippa Wilson and Sarah Webb) and Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page (470 Men - Australia), who are leading on both total and nett points in their respective classes.

The Dutch and Australian 470 Women teams are currently tied on points at the top of their class (both total and nett), with the Dutch having the advantage only by virtue of finishing ahead of their opponents in the last race sailed.

In the 49er, Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin (AUS) were able to discard their disqualification from the first race, so actually have a 9 points higher total score than their second placed Danish rivals (Warrer and Ibsen) but lead by one point over the Danes in the nett scoreline. In this case, the Australian DSQ was due to tacking in the Swedish team's water.

It is interesting to note that in classes were there have been a number of on-the-water penalties (Finn, Laser, Laser Radial), there have been no protest hearings to date. However, on-the-water jury action over pumping infringements has seen sailors sent home.

Disqualifications are hard penalties to take, especially at the Olympic Games. Clearly rule infractions need to be discouraged, however, there are many who believe that results would not differ if pumping were to be permitted. This is a different issue from non-compliance with right-of-way rules, or setting up the boat/sails outside class rules.

It would be interesting to hear views on the pumping rule from top finishers in the sailing classes at the Olympics in Qingdao.

Note: Scores are taken from provisional results at the end of racing on 13th August 2008.

ISAF Olympic website results