Race Management
To run a world-class event such as the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas requires a plethora of specialised judges, umpires and race officials.
The International Jury is on hand to hear cases of protest when they arise, while the on-water Umpires hope to prevent those cases by issuing calls regarding the right-of-way rules as defined by the Racing Rules of Sailing. Competitors request rulings by flying International Code Flag “Y” and the umpires either fly a green flag signalling no penalty or a flag corresponding to the yacht, indicating that yacht must perform a 270-degree penalty turn for exoneration. A yacht may also be exonerated by drawing an offsetting foul on its competitor.
The Principal Race Officer is responsible for conducting racing according to the schedule. He must set a racecourse that is square to the wind direction and alter changes of course in the event of a windshift. He also is responsible for determining whether the yachts have started and finished properly.
International Jury Chairman and Chief Umpire
Bill Edgerton is the Jury Chairman and Chief Umpire for the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland. The umpires are important to racing because they follow the matches on the water and issue immediate decisions in right-of-way situations between the boats. Edgerton, of the U.K., is both an ISAF International Judge and International Umpire. In 2007 he was an Umpire for the Louis Vuitton Cup and 32nd America’s Cup, and was Chief Umpire for the 33rd AC in Febraury. In the past Edgerton was the keelboat coach for the Royal Yachting Association.
Principal Race Officer
Peter Reggio, of the United States, is the Principal Race Officer for the Louis Vuitton Trophy. The PRO is responsible for conducting racing according to the schedule and determining whether boats have properly started and finished. Reggio is an ISAF International Race Officer. Affectionately known to all as “Luigi,” Reggio was the PRO in 2007 for the 32nd America’s Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup. In 2008 he was a PRO for the Olympic Regatta in China. Reggio says the key to being a good PRO is listening to the sailors’while still maintaining the independence to make the tough decisions.
Race Umpires
The Race Umpires for the Louis Vuitton Trophy - Auckland are John Stanley (AUS), Roger Wood (NZL), and Shane Borrell (NZL). Members of this group will also serve on the International Jury when cases of protest arise.
