Barcelona, 21 December 2010
The yacht ‘Fruit’ will not start the Barcelona World Race
• The Polish yacht does not fulfill the safety requirements of the race rules
• Fourteen IMOCA Open 60’s will start
Having received communication that the Polish yacht Fruit has no valid, up-to-date IMOCA measurement certificate, and having now missed by four days the 17th December deadline by which all IMOCA Open 60’s entered were required to be in Barcelona, the organisers of the Barcelona World Race have decided that they have no other option but to communicate to the Fruit team that they will not be allowed to start the race.
“It is very hard to come to a decision like this, but we cannot compromise at all on fundamental issues concerning safety.” “We have every admiration for all of the efforts that the team have put in, and this is a really tough call to have to ask the team to halt their efforts to compete in the Barcelona World Race.” Comments Andor Serra (ESP), Director General of the Fundació Navegació Oceánica Barcelona, the race organizers.
The IMOCA Class confirm that the Polish yacht Fruit does not comply with the current measurement rules of the IMOCA class and so no measurement certificate can be issued, and no further testing is scheduled.
The class make the point that it is the skipper’s responsibility to make his boat comply with the IMOCA rule and currently the yacht does not meet the necessary requirements.
At present Fruit’s engine does not satisfy the IMOCA Open 60 rules’ minimum power prescription.
Although IMOCA Open 60’s are sailing yachts, use of the engine can be vital when manoeuvring at close quarters in any weather, in matters of safety and security, or when the yacht’s rig or sails are damaged.
With a less powerful engine security and safety is not guaranteed for manoeuvres when involved in matters concerning the skippers’
Security checks continue.
Meanwhile the majority of the Barcelona World Race fleet have completed or are very close to having completed safety and security scrutineering which was continuing today on the Race Fleet Dock at the Moll Barcelona World Race.
Even if two teams have had to buy replacements liferafts to comply with the up to date rules, for most with reindexing issues to be resolved concern supplying administrative paperwork, but all must be fully compliant by the end of 23rd December.
To download high resolution pictures please go to the media section: media.barcelonaworldrace.org
Photo
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