Rule D2.2(d)(3) Penalties Initiated by Umpires, Breach of Sportsmanship
Question 1
After the umpires signal their decision in response to a boat's protest, a competitor
on one of the boats makes it clear that he is unhappy with the decision. Should
the umpires impose a penalty under rule D2.2(d)(3) for a ‘breach of sportsmanship’?
Answer 1
This depends on the words, the manner in which they are spoken, and any other
related actions of the crew of the boat. If they merely express unhappiness
or disappointment, or that in the competitor’s opinion the decision was
wrong, then a penalty is not appropriate. However, if the total effect is to
convey that the umpires or other race officials are incompetent, or are prejudiced
against the penalized boat, a penalty may be justified, whether the meaning
is directed only at the umpires or also to others nearby. If the meaning is
clearly insulting to the umpires, race officials or other competitors, a penalty
should be imposed. The penalty imposed by the umpires may be one or more turns.
The umpires may also report the incident to the protest committee, signalled
by displaying a black flag.
Question 2
An incident occurs between team A and X, immediately after which a competitor
in team A starts to shout loudly and forcibly that the boat from team X should
take a penalty. The shouting continues for a time, after which the boat from
team X sails clear and completes a penalty. The umpires have observed the incident
and are in no doubt that the boat from team A had broken a rule and that the
boat from team X had taken a penalty only as a result of the intimidating actions
from the boat of team A. Should the umpires impose a penalty under rule D2.2(d)(3)
for a ‘breach of sportsmanship’?
Answer 2
If the effect is one of intimidation and bullying by team A, a penalty should
be imposed under rule D2.2(d)(3). The penalty imposed by the umpires may be
of one or more turns. The umpires may also report the incident to the protest
committee, signalled by displaying a black flag.