Ericsson 3 to compete In-Port race
Ericsson Racing Team's entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, Ericsson 3, plans to race tomorrow's In-Port Race while waiting for a decision from the International Jury on a request to reopen a hearing.
'Volvo Ocean Race Alicante practice in-port race'
Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race
'We're obviously very disappointed by the ruling of the jury,' said Ericsson 3 skipper Anders Lewander. 'But it won't stop us from competing at a high level on the racecourse tomorrow.'
Yesterday the jury approved Ericsson 3 as a valid entry in the race, but the Race Management Group (RMG) has not issued it a valid Volvo Open 70 certificate due to a discrepancy of 625 grams in the keel fin. The all-up weight of Ericsson 3 is 14,000 kilograms (approximately 30,860 pounds).
Ericsson Racing Team asked the International Jury to reopen the case and have a hearing so that the team can present new and significant evidence in an oral and complete manner. Previous communications were carried out electronically.
The matter arose when the fin, the stainless-steel strut attaching the ballast bulb to the hull, was deemed to have voids in its construction. The voids were repaired by adding 162 kilograms (357 pounds) of steel rods to the fin during repairs performed in early August in the presence of Chief Measurer James Dadd at the team's training base in the Canary Islands.
At the time Dadd was satisfied that the repair had been affected in the best manner possible. The repair and the keel fin's current configuration are regarded by the jury and RMG as not providing any performance advantage. Still, the jury said it would levy a series of penalties based on points against Ericsson 3 due to non-compliance of the fin.
'We are surprised by the Jury's decision,' said Richard Brisius, Managing Director, Ericsson Racing Team. 'It's very clear to us that there is new evidence for the Jury, and we believe the conclusions they have made have been based on partly wrong facts.
'We maintain that we are in full compliance with the rules of Volvo Ocean Race and shouldn't be penalized, taking into account the position of the RMG,' said Brisius.
by Ericsson Racing Team media 
Mermaid Waters, QLD
