Canada Allowed to Race the Pair in B-Final

By Melissa Bray

Canadian and South African pair in semifinal on Wednesday 18 August

This came after their semi-final race ended in disaster when Canada's Chris Jarvis and Dave Calder had their blade one metre over the line of buoys and in the lane of the South African pair just before the finish line.

The umpire warned the Canadian pair, but the pair did not move out of South Africa's lane. The South Africans then caught a crab just metres before the line which dropped them out of qualifying position. At the line Ramon di Clemente and Don Cech of South Africa protested the interference.

The official jury decision excluded the Canadian crew from the event for interference which moved di Clemente and Cech into third position.

The Canadians then appealed the decision to the Board of Jury. The Board of the Jury confirmed that exclusion was the correct decision. Canada then appealed to the next level – the FISA Executive Committee.

Head coach for Canada Brian Richardson requested a seven boat final including the Canadians. "As far as I know South Africa is happy to have a seven boat final," said Richardson. "If the executive committee says no to that decision, it will leave me a little speechless."

The FISA Executive Committee confirmed the actions and the decision of the Umpire and the Board of Jury and decided that "according to Rule 79(6), the appropriate measure is to allow the Canadian men's pair to participate in Final B on Thursday."