5th leg

Due to an error in the mast construction the measurements had to be corrected. Several competitors sensed cheating and protested. The last stage involved throwing down the gauntlet with the ensuing protest hearing.

This race should have been one of the most relaxed ever. The „Frühstücks Direktor“ had an unassailable lead in both its class and in the overall classification. This meant we would win regardless of where we were placed in the final section as the final result can be deleted in line with the rules. It was however different than expected.

Two hours before the awarding of prizes on July 31st a telephone call from race manager Alan Green rocked the exuberant mood among the crew.

Green said that he had had another look at the boat which was in front of the race office and established that there was a gennaker halyard which was not recognised as such in the measurement certificate. We explained to him that the bright red halyard was visible to everyone as was the position of the gennaker in the masthead since the first day of the race. We only took charge of the boat shortly before the race and the rigging was built in this way according to the guidelines of the designers and sail makers. The measurement certificate was correspondingly drawn up after inputting of the sail and rigging dimensions and following weighing of the ship.

We then arranged to meet on board.

A short telephone call to the designer Fietje Judel from Judel/Vrolijk & Co in Bremerhaven clarified the situation: The exit of the gennaker halyard in the rigging is in the masthead and thus does not correspond to the construction guidelines. It is too high by 50 centimetres. The „Frühstücks Direktor“ was thus sailing with an incorrect measurement certificate. That certainly hit home.

We were not aware of this. The extremely short period for preparation meant there was only time for a quick check of the sails and then the „Frühstücks Direktor“ had to be taken to the start in Copenhagen.

We explained this to race manager Green. He is a calm man who has steered the fortunes of the English Royal Ocean Racing Club onto an increasingly professional course over many years. He then accepted our explanation and we promised to acquire a corrected measurement certificate as soon as possible. Fortunately the chief surveyor Boris Hepp could still be contacted in the Hamburg DSV (German Sailing Association) office.

Hepp corrected the higher position of the masthead and then sent a new certificate to Green. It took just 30 minutes. The ORC Club rating changed by 0.7 seconds. From 586.8 seconds per nautical mile to 586.1. In view of the minimal alteration Alan Green described our problem as “an error which happens”.

The recalculation of all the four stages sailed thus far with the greater (quicker) rating did not make any changes in the placings in the rankings and only minimal corrections to the time differences as we won all the races by some distance.

When the „Frühstücks Direktor“ was then announced as the stage winner and leading yacht of the overall classification there was widespread displeasure. We can certainly understand this. We do not however have the same understanding for personal attacks.

It was suggested to us that the ship should be excluded from classification and we were accused of cheating and manipulation. Unpleasant insults and threats were then made and they were followed by a suggestion of compromise which could definitely be judged as an attempt at blackmail. The mood among the crew was at rock bottom.

The following morning the race management announced that the rating of the „Frühstücks Direktor“ had changed and this was accepted as correction of an error. Then three joint protests were made by five yachts which were to be dealt with by an international jury at the port of destination of Pärnü/Estonia.

We did not go to the start at midday with a great deal of motivation and we covered the 120 nautical miles with a great deal of focus but little pleasure following two false starts. After a short starting circuit and then 115 nautical miles with a head wind we reached our destination in fourth place, won in our class once again and were second in the whole field. There was no great jubilation over the overall victory in class A and the overall classification due to the forthcoming protest hearing set to take place that evening. Instead of being able to enjoy the success, we had to confront the wording of the protests, sit around in the hotel room, discuss and pore over competition sailing regulations.

No matter how certain one is when attending a protest hearing, the result can never be taken for granted. At sea and in court one is in God’s hands from time to time as many people have already found out.

What was to be dealt with in the hearing?

The protestors asked the race management to exclude the „Frühstücks Direktor“ due to starting with a new measurement certificate during the series which is not permitted according to sailing regulations. As crew we were also accused of unfair behaviour and the data of the measurement certificate were also brought into question as a whole.

The hearing lasted for three and a half hours and then the result came: The rating correction which was 0.11% different to the old rating was such a small difference that it would not lead to a penalty or exclusion according to the complex of rules. During the hearing the protesters withdrew their protests about unfair conduct and the accuracy of the measurement certificate. The „Frühstücks Direktor“ and we crew members have been completely and rightly exonerated.

The prize ceremony in the assembly rooms in Pärnü, a stylish seaside resort in Estonia then became the „Frühstücks Direktor“-Show. Along with the overall and class victories we also won the special cup for the fastest ship over all stages. We couldn't have dreamed of this success at the start in Copenhagen two weeks ago. We were happy to follow the suggestion of Sven Herlyn from the management committee of the sponsor DnB Nord Bank and fill our largest cup and drink from it with our competitors as a sign of reconciliation. Most of them were happy to do so.

The next morning we converted the „Frühstücks Direktor“ back into a Hanse 430e. We packed the North regatta clothing into convenient packages and stowed them in the rear cabin. We did exactly the same with the prizes. A few extensors and blocks were removed and the fast cruiser was ready.

Our crew youngsters „Jannemann“ Dabelstein and „Junior“ Jakobs will sail it back to its home port of Greifswald via Gotland and Bornholm in the company of their girlfriends. Our „Frühstücks Direktor“ mission is ended for a while. We will fly home with a satisfied feeling.

We wish to thank HanseYachts AG who provided the boat for us and all workers who helped in its preparation. Thanks also to Fietje Judel of Judel/Vrolijk & Co for advice and work in converting the boat and coordination with the weather conditions for the route from Copenhagen to Pärnu. And last but not least thanks to Jens Christensen of North Sails Dänemark for sound advice and an extremely quick A3 gennaker.

„Frühstücksdirektor“’s crew::
Jörn Bock, Ralph Moser, Nico Jeschonneck, Jörn Diercks, Timo Jakobs und der Bootkapitän und Bordchef Jan Dabelstein