AMERICA’S CUP UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : French Syndicate is Keen On New Zealand’s Legal Bowsprit
Le Defi Francais had two things to say about its protest against New Zealand’s bowsprit:
1) It was withdrawing the protest, after an interpretation by the international jury favorable to the Kiwis.
2) It was seriously thinking about adding one to its boat.
However, Il Moro di Venezia, which initiated the original issue, protested New Zealand in Sunday’s race--not over the result of the race, which Il Moro won handily, but just to set matters straight, once and for all.
The jury heard the protest Sunday night and dismissed Il Moro’s protest.
Skipper Paul Cayard said, “There is no animosity. We just wanted to do an in-depth search of the rules and make sure everything is clear before we go on with the rest of the Louis Vuitton series.”
New Zealand team general manager Peter Blake said, “If someone still has some doubts, it’s fine to clear it up.”
Will Il Moro now put one on its boat?
“Possibly,” Cayard said.
Ville de Paris skipper Marc Pajot had said he would like one on his boat, too. But team designer Phillippe Briand said, “We are going to study it for now.”
The jury issued a decision 24 hours earlier, without hearing Ville de Paris’ protest, that the bowsprit was OK.
The French sent a note to the jury: “Thank you for the clarification. We accept your decision.”
The question was first raised Jan. 19 when Il Moro submitted a question of interpretation to chairman Graeme Owens of Britain. That was followed by a memorandum from New Zealand on Jan. 23 and a written opinion from Spirit of Australia Jan. 25.
Does this end it with bowsprits?
Not necessarily. This is the America’s Cup.
Ville de Paris won so easily Sunday--by 11 minutes over Spirit of Australia--that the most excitement on the team’s VIP tender was when a whale surfaced twice within 30 yards of the boat.
The second most exciting moments were from the Super Bowl, which was on TV in the main salon.
The passengers included M. Pierre Legris and Mme. Legris and syndicate head Yvon Jacob.
Just to feel at home, the French hosted a Super Bowl party at their new VIP compound Sunday night.
The Le Defi Francais team has the largest two sponsors among all challengers.
Groupe Legris Industries is the largest single backer, at $10 million, while the City of Paris has kicked in $9 million of the $30 million budget.
There is so much interest back home that a French TV station, FR3, has telecast live the christening of the boat at the San Diego Yacht Club and the drawing for round-robin slots last Friday.
Anyone wishing to see an IACC boat up close can go to the Le Defi Compound on Mission Bay and watch them prepare to leave early on any race morning.
There is a public viewing area at the water’s edge, only about 20 yards from the slips. There also is a souvenir shop.