The "Hand of God" in sailing

It's been another long and exciting day in Valencia with the first four fleet races of the RC44 Valencia Cup, even if the breeze didn't reach the levels we've been accustomed to during the last two weeks. Our full report with some beautiful pictures will be online in a couple of hours.

The undisputed leader of the day is "17" with three bullets and a fourth. Still, the final race of the day had its bit of controversy and was resolved in the jury room after the Spanish team Islas Canarias Puerto Calero filed a protest against the American team.

For all those football-illeterate readers that wonder what relation the title of the article has with today's races, it refers to Diego Maradona's infamous goal in the 1986 World Cup when the Argentinean scored against the English, with an illegal, but unpenalised, handball. At the post-game press conference, Maradona claimed that the goal was scored "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God", coining the phrase "Hand of God".

The "Hand of God" in the RC44's took place in the prestart of the final race when James Spithill helped amateur helmsman Anders Myralf by taking the helm, something that under the RC44 Class rules is only allowed in emergency situations. As a result of Spithill taking the helm, the Spanish felt they were forced to cross early the starting line and protested. The Jury found "17" in breach of the rule, as they judged there was no emergency situation while Anders Myralf is an experienced sailor. Finally, the Jury decided to penalize "17" with one point since, in their view, the yacht didn't gain any advantage in the race by Spithill's action.

The "hand of God" in sailing. James Spithill takes the helm of "17" during the prestart of the fleet race, something that is allowed only in emergency situations according to the RC44 Class rules. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The "hand of God" in sailing. James Spithill takes the helm of "17" during the prestart of the fleet race, something that is allowed only in emergency situations according to the RC44 Class rules. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing