The International Jury, which is independent from the Vendée Globe Race Directors, the Race Committee and the organizers of the Vendée Globe, have taken the decision to disqualify Bernard Stamm (SUI, Cheminées Poujoulat) for an infringement of article 3.2 of the Notice of Race. Following the skipper's pit stop on 23rd December south of Enderby Island (Auckland Islands, NZ) to repair his hydrogenerators, the Race Committee lodged a protest against Cheminées Poujoulat for receiving assistance.
Bernard Stamm has 24 hours (in other words until Thursday morning) since being notified of the decision to request the jury re-examine his case, as laid down in race rule 66, and will have to state his reasons with new information. If no request is forthcoming at the end of this time period, the decision will stand. The Race Committee also has the same possibility to reopen the case.
The other competitors in the race also have the right to ask for redress within 6 hours of being informed of the decision, if they consider they are affected by the jury's decision.
