McIntyre Ocean Globe leader issued 172hr Leg 3 time penalty

With just days to the restart of the McIntyre Ocean Globe, race leader Translated 9 had been issued a total of 172 hours of time penalties associated with sending three sails to a sailmaker for repair, without approval and without any notice. This is not allowed under the Notice of Race unless specific processes are followed and advance notice and approvals are given.

In this instance, no OGR approvals were given to Translated 9 to remove sails for repair. When all entrants were asked later by the organizer if sails were delivered to a sailmaker for repairs, a declaration was provided by the captain of Translated 9 clearly stating they had not been removed and were onboard the boat. In fact, the sails had been removed three days before the captain's declaration was received.

On investigation, after the declaration was received, it was proven that three sails were sent to a sailmaker by the captain of Translated 9 before the declaration. OGR immediately commenced an enquiry. The captain admitted the declaration he supplied was wrong and that at the time he supplied the declaration he was aware sails were at the sail maker.

On that basis a total of 72 hours penalties were applied for the three sails sent without the authority or knowledge of the OGR. A further 100-hour penalty was applied for the supply of a wrong declaration when asked. As the captain acted against team orders and the direct instructions of the team manager and owner, and without their knowledge, this 100-hr penalty was suspended, subject to the entry not breaching any further NOR rules. IF that be the case the entry would be disqualified. (see official report below)

Following the official report and penalties applied, the captain of Translated 9 resigned accepting responsibility for his error of judgment. The team is carrying out an investigation to understand what happened and how to ensure it does not happen again.  

Sail Rules of OGR and other penalties for leg 3.

CONNY VAN RIETSCHOTEN won the 1977 Whitbread in Flyer. He used over 50 sails to achieve that result. Setting out from the UK with 25 sails, blown out spinnakers were replaced in Cape Town and by the time they arrived at the halfway point in Auckland, nearly all sails were replaced as they had stretched. Money was no object to winning.

During the 2018 Golden Globe Race, a 212 DAY SOLO 30,000 MILE voyage around the world, three yachts completed the voyage using only one mainsail, a staysail and a genoa, that were never changed, only reefed. The only other sails used were a couple of spinnakers. FIVE SAILS IN TOTAL. Modern Dacron sailcloth and build techniques are PROVEN very durable.

The OGR is all about back to basic adventure racing, where money has no advantage to winning the race. OGR strives to keep things affordable and equitable for all entrants. OGR works hard to make sailors sail safely and not be overcome by speed at the expense of cutting corners, increasing risk. OGR also works on sustainability as a core value.

If an OGR entrant has one mast, then only 11 sails are allowed onboard for the entire circumnavigation. If their yacht has two masts, they are allowed 13 sails. Any sail older than 8 years is discounted 50% so two old sails are counted as one new sail. Only Dacron or Nylon sail material is allowed in sails. No sails may be removed from the boat for repair. A sailmaker can come onboard the boat in port to make sail repairs without penalty.  If a sail is lost or thrown overboard, A 24 HOURS PENALTY IS APPLIED. If a new sail is brought onboard after the start, A 24 HOUR PENALTY IS APPLIED.

All these unique rules are designed to ensure an entrant considers the selection and design of the sail wardrobe as if the OGR were a non-stop race around the world, without the benefit of buying new sails in each port. They need to be strong! Entrants need to sail carefully and not damage sails which MUST go the distance all around the world. Pushing to the limit, blowing sails and buying new in each port COME WITH PENALTIES. RECYCLING perfectly good 8-year-old sails can be a real advantage over buying new in the OGR.

These rules were announced four years before the start of the OGR. MOST ENTRANTS BUILT STRONG SAILS AND SAIL ACCORDINGLY. On arrival in Cape Town however, a few entrants needed serious sail repairs. Some entrants were complaining about these crazy rules that they had signed up for? Some suggested it was dangerous to continue. It was clear they had not factored in the concept of OGR SAILS. Others were quite relaxed and had even accepted IRC RATING penalties to carry extra spinnakers to cover sail damage. It was clear a few were not taking the sail restriction seriously and were now regretting it.

After careful consideration OGR decided to allow A FLEET EXEMPTION for free sail repairs in Cape Town with the warning that it will never happen again, so strengthen your sails now! Arriving in Auckland at the halfway point, a few entrants again reported pushing too hard, crashing gybes and damaged sails. Once again, some strongly rejected the OGR sail rules they had signed up for and demanded access to a sailmaker. OGR decided that WITH PRIOR REGISTRATION AND APPROVAL, a sail could be sent to a sail maker for inspection or repair, and A 12 HOUR PENALTY IS APPLIED FOR EACH SAIL.

An entrant who factors into their racing strategy the clear, simple and sensibly unique OGR SAIL RULES AND RESTRICTIONS is better placed to do well, compared to an entrant who ignores them and complains later because their sails are not up to the job or they pushed them too hard.

One entrant ordered a new sail lost off Cape Town and accepted a gift of two old spinnakers from a supporter accepting the penalties. Four entrants applied to send sails out for repair. ALL others managed their sail repairs onboard their boats. One entrant sent sails out without approval, which was discovered by OGR, investigated and penalized accordingly.