To All - On Wednesday, June 15th, a protest for redress was filed by Osman Kurtulus (Young Turk). The Protest Committee was chaired by Dick Bracken, included Al Klingler and Dave Otterbein, and was heard Wednesday, June 21st, at 5pm. Here are the facts, findings, and conclusions of the protest hearing: The Facts The protest was filed correctly and the request for a hearing was valid. The course sailed was #17 (start>D>8>D>8>finish). The Race Committee boat was positioned north of the line between mark D and mark 8, with an outgoing current. Young Turk stated that the finish line was parallel to the direction from the last mark, and confusing as to which way to cross. Young Turk alleged she crossed the finish line properly the first time, but did not receive a horn. M&M (Tony Orwin) had crossed the finish line from the opposite direction approximately 15 seconds before Young Turk. Young Turk then proceeded around the Committee Boat and finished from the other direction, receiving a horn the second time she crossed the finish line. Young Turk felt the second time she crossed was in the wrong direction. Race Committee results recorded that Young Turk crossed the line 30 seconds after M&M. Tony Orwin (M&M) corroborated that Young Turk crossed the finish line the first time just after M&M, perhaps 20 seconds later. Mike Lucas (Race Committee Pro) agreed that the finish line was roughly parallel in direction from the last mark. He also said that, because of the confusion, he and his Race Committee member, Holly Cullen, recorded all boats crossing the finish line regardless of direction. Protest Committee Findings 1. The finish line orientation was close to parallel to the course from the previous turning mark. 2. The Race Committee took times for boats finishing in either direction. 3. ISAF Case 82: Definitions, Finish: "When a finishing line is laid so nearly in line with the last leg that it cannot be determined which is the correct way to cross it in order to finish according to the definition, boats are eligible for redress, and either direction is acceptable." Conclusion Young Turk was properly scored, as were all boats in the Fleet. The race stands as scored. Respectfully submitted, Lee Luce Cruising Fleet Secretary