America's Cup: CAS judges rule in de Ridder case

The International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne has ruled on the appeal of America's Cup professional Dirk de Ridder. The proceedings were based on a harsh judgement handed down by the World Sailing Federation (Isaf) in April of this year against the Cup sailor from Oracle Team USA.

The Isaf had banned the Dutch sailor from competition for three years because he was one of a group of sailors and employees in Larry Ellison's Cup team who could be linked to unauthorised boat manipulation of an AC-45 catamaran (additional lead weight was added in contravention of the rules). De Ridder himself was already banned during the 34th America's Cup. Other team members were partially banned or warned.

For professional Dirk de Ridder, the three-year Isaf ban was tantamount to a professional ban. He therefore lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. According to his argument, the evidence was too thin, the punishment was excessively harsh and the Isaf had no legal jurisdiction. The hearing of all parties and witnesses took place on 1 and 2 October.

The three CAS judges Conny Jörnklint (President, Sweden), Anita de Frantz (USA) and Michael Beloff (Great Britain) have now confirmed the Isaf judgement, but mitigated the penalty and reduced the ban from competition from three years to 18 months. The experienced round-the-world sailor from the Netherlands has already had to skip the current Volvo Ocean Race. However, nothing would stand in the way of a future America's Cup appearance.

De Ridder became famous in Germany when he won the Volvo Ocean Race in 2002 with the Illbruck Challenge under the German flag and with US skipper John Kostecki. The American is married to Ann-Marie de Ridder and is Dirk de Ridder's brother-in-law. Both Kostecki and de Ridder were also part of Oracle Team USA. Kostecki had to make way for his successor and triumphant Ben Ainslie in the position of tactician in the 34th Cup duel against Team New Zealand after the first unconvincing races. The defenders then managed a historic comeback and victory over the New Zealand challengers, although they had started the duel with two minus points due to the manipulation in the pre-regattas.