In a dramatic opening to leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race, minutes before the start gun fired, Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED) dropped her sails and returned to port, leaving a fleet reduced to three boats to contest the start in Qingdao. Image copyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race.
by Volvo Ocean Race media
On Sunday night, Telefonica Blue submitted a request for redress, claiming their finishing position in Leg 5 was adversely affected through no fault of their own.
From the claim to the Jury: "...The Race Committee and/or Organising Authority made an improper action or omission by locating the start line and 2nd passing mark of the course (mark d) in an area where at least 1 uncharted shallow area existed.
"Telefonica Azul (Blue) hit one such uncharted shallows that was 0.23 nm from the start mark (and 2nd passing mark) of the course, prior to the start of Leg 5."
The team goes on to claim that the port in Qingdao didn't have adequate depth "to allow Telefonica Azul back into the harbour," resulting in a delay before they could begin repairs.
The request for redress states all of this had a direct impact on their position at the New Zealand scoring gate and at the finish of the leg.
The International Jury arrives in Rio de Janeiro later this week. A hearing will be scheduled where the Jury will determine what - if any - redress the Telefonica Blue team is entitled to receive.
Volvo Ocean Race
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