Hendo On Cheating

In light of the fact that ISAF World Female Sailor of the Year, Paige Railey, was thrown out of the Laser Radial Worlds last summer, and now the Rolex Miami OCR two weeks ago for Rule 42 violations, we thought we’d ask former ISAF President Paul Henderson for his thoughts on Rule 42, Judges, the Rolex Award process and hockey.

If a sailor gets three yellow flags for Rule 42 violations, should they be considered as a cheater?

PH
I consider it anarchy. They have decided that they will change the game to "Air Rowing" and not play by the game called "Sailing".

Sailing uses "wind" not "air". Wind is moving air and is a natural action on the sails not a contrived action of fanning against air.

The "Air Rowers" believe that they can gain an advantage by knowingly breaking the rules which I guess is cheating. The Rules give the benefit of the doubt to the sailors by allowing 3 flags then they are sent home.

If this happens at several regattas and the sailor does not learn the lesson then they are foolish .

The rules are being applied to all classes and genders equally. The Windsurfers let it all hang out with unlimited pumping and look at demise of racing in this discipline over the last decade because it is no longer fun.

Some people are saying on other websites that a tacking too close foul is just the same as a Rule 42 violation. How are they different?

PH
Nobody tries to get disqualified by tacking too close. It is an instantaneous reaction to a normal sailing situation.

A Rule 42 infraction is a calculated decision to break the rules taken before you race. They are not the same. One is in the height of battle the other is coldly calculated.

I watched a bobsled race the other weekend and there were two disqualifications. One was for breaking the starting gate early which was an error in judgement and the competitor competed in the last 3 runs.  The other was for heating illegally the runners which is cheating and the competitor was sent home and  will be banned from further competition.

Some people are also suggesting that Paige was just testing the limits of the Judges. What guarantee does she have that the Judges at the Rolex Miami OCR will be the same Judges for the US Olympic Trials or the Olympics themselves?

PH
I cannot speak for the US Olympic Trials but at the Olympics there are many judges and few competitors so nobody gets away with anything. I would suggest she learn to play within the rules or she will be very disappointed.

Referees or Judges or Umpires adjudicate by the same rules but there is latitude as is human.

I like Baseball and one Umpire will have a wider strike zone than the other.

In Ice Hockey one Ref calls a lot of holding another is very militant on highsticking.
That is sport. That is human.

When in Miami at the Rolex OCR several coaches and sailors came to me and asked for more on the water judging as the lack of respect for all rules and the "win at all costs mentality" is now the norm and is ruining the game.

America's Cup has gone to total on the water judging. In Auckland at the last Cup there were 204 calls by judges and only two were questionable. Bloody Good, in fact outstanding.

While Judges are supposed to be “Competitor blind” they are human. Is Paige’s continued blatant disregard for the rules likely to paint a target on her back? Has she unnecessarily drawn a lot of attention to herself such that the Judges will have little  choice but to watch her more closely?

PH
Certainly that is again obvious.  In any sport the same thing happens. If a Hockey Player is known to constantly high sticking the refs look for him.

In sailing if you are constantly berating the Race Committee or Judges they look for you and they cut you no slack. Human nature methinks. At the end of every race I always thanked the RC for giving up their time so as I could enjoy sailing.

Some people are saying that there are two standards of Judging for males and females, or maybe even more,  that it’s a class by class issue. Other than for Windsurfers and their “Air rowing” as you so aptly named it, does  ISAF have different standards of on the water judging for Rule 42?

PH
Nonsense! there is no different standard for men and women. That is a paranoic, but not valid, defence by those caught.

I always believed that ISAF should try and have Judges who are experienced with the class as they understand the nuances of that specific class. Also the sailors respect a known quantity. For example if Ralph Roberts is on the Finn course they act like Sunday School Children as they know Ralph is fair and strident.

Complaints have also been aired that Judges simply do not understand how boats are sailed these days?  How are ISAF certified Judges qualified through what sort of experience to be able to tell when a competitor has violated Rule 42?

PH
Another cop out by sailors who have been caught. The sailors know what the rules are and when they get caught they act like "wounded ducks". The judges at the Olympic level are very skilled with the nuances of the rules and the system is quite well known. There are usually two judges per boat and they must agree and usually observe the questionable action over an extended period. If a sailor gets yellow flagged 3 times in several regattas they are wrong. Their defence is to attack the system.

One of your primary mantra’s during your ten year term as ISAF President was just two words – “Fair Play”.  How does ISAF and Rolex awarding her with the World Female Sailor of the Year Award, in light of her having  been thrown out of an Olympic Class World Championship earlier in the year, help to promote the concept of “Fair Play”  on a global basis, especially to younger sailors?

PH
No Comment as the answer is obvious. By the way I have never had a vote.

When was the last time that anyone has won any sort of Yachtsperson of the Year award who had been thrown out of a major world championship that same year?

PH
Usually the award is given to a winner of a World's or an equally as significant event. Being not scored poses the question of how was that person nominated in the first place?

Who picks the secret committee of that selects the Rolex ISAF World Sailor of the Year. Does ISAF have any veto power of this selection if they believe the winner does no uphold the concept of “Fair Play”?

PH
It is a broad base of media, sailors, officials who vote.  As ISAF President I never knew before the announcement who had won nor was I involved in the nominations delegating that to a panel of so-called experts.

Can the Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup this year?

PH
Not unless they stop breaking the new rules and stop getting so many penalties like Buffalo Sabres have learned.

Buddy Melges was the most honest and fair sailor I ever sailed against. At the World FD Championship many years ago one sailor rocked and rolled his FD upwind constantly roll-tacking in light wind.   Buddy could not believe this was legal. The next race he did the same thing and was first at the weather mark showing  he could do it with the best and then sailed to the dock, packed up his boat and went home.  He never sailed an FD again. Personally I like Skiffs and Cats as Kinetics have minimal effect and you must sail them. Comments?