The former head of sailing鈥檚 governing body has formally accused five America鈥檚 Cup jurors of gross misconduct after they imposed a harsh penalty on a member of Oracle Team USA in 2013.
The jurors issued a three-year ban on Oracle Team USA member Dirk de Ridder, a key wing trimmer, and docked the team two points after a scandal involving weight manipulation of boats in warm-up regattas. Paul Henderson, president of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) from 1999 to 2004, has requested a hearing at the ISAF to investigate the decision.
鈥淎ll members of the [34th America鈥檚 Cup] jury failed and violated the principles of ISAF by not providing an equitable and fair hearing to all sailors,鈥 Henderson wrote in his complaint, .
The jurors are part of a tribunal independent of the ISAF, which Henderson accuses of operating outside the rules and regulations. Some jurors should have recused themselves, Henderson said, and some evidence was hearsay.
The accused jurors are Bryan Willis of Great Britain, Graham McKenzie of New Zealand, Dave Tillett of Australia, Josje Hofland of the Netherlands, and John Doerr of Britain. They could face suspension or dismissal.
The accusations come at the heels of an ISAF decision to reduce de Ridder鈥檚 suspension from three years to 18 months, which would allow him to participate in sanctioned events starting in March. The court decided that a three-year ban 鈥渨as disproportionate in light of the circumstances of the case.鈥 De Ridder鈥檚 punishment prevented him from accepting a $500,000 contract to sail in the Volvo Ocean Race, which began in October, .
De Ridder鈥檚 removal from the team denied it a key member four days before the first race against Emirates Team New Zealand in the 34th America鈥檚 Cup in 2013. Oracle Team USA eventually came back from an early deficit to win the final eight races and the cup.