Race director stays neutral

By HELEN TUNNAH

Race director Harold Bennett has rejected any talk that he might not be impartial when the America's Cup gets under way tomorrow.

Mr Bennett is a member of the cup holder, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, which has handed Team New Zealand the job of keeping yachting's prized trophy.

Overseas critics have already questioned whether Mr Bennett, as principal race officer, will start the contest against Alinghi in light airs.

It has been suggested that those winds might not suit Team NZ's innovative new hull appendage because of drag.

While the cup holders have the traditional right to select the principal race officer, it is just as traditional for the challengers to accuse the appointed individual of bias.

Mr Bennett was also race director for the squadron three years ago when Team New Zealand beat Prada 5-0 in the cup, and was the target of complaints when he refused to start the third scheduled race in very light, shifty winds.

Both Prada and the challenger series American race director, Vince Cooke, questioned Mr Bennett's call; Cooke labelled it "atrocious".

Mr Bennett rejected the slur on his integrity then, and said yesterday that it was vital he remained impartial.

"It was interesting that they were muttering about it because we'd agreed at the briefing three days before that we wouldn't try anything in those sorts of conditions.

"Nothing has changed. When I sat down with the teams two days ago they said, 'Look, don't change your ways. We all know what you're trying to do, we fully agree, and don't be persuaded by anyone'.

"You have to be independent. As a race official you're running it for two teams, and you cannot be seen to be tied up with either one of them."

Mr Bennett said that while he might consult teams about conditions before the start of races on an open channel which both Alinghi and Team NZ could hear, ultimately any decision on starting rested with him.

There are no wind limits in the America's Cup, but in light breezes races will be started only when the wind is stable.

In heavy airs or a poor sea state, team and spectator safety will help determine whether races can be staged.

In the Louis Vuitton challenger series boats ended up dodging rocks as the race committee struggled to cope with setting races in the Hauraki Gulf's light, shifting breezes.

"I don't intend to be trying to do anything like that," Mr Bennett said.

"I feel quite comfortable with where I'm at because I know the guys of both teams very, very well."

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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