Local Sport

Exmouth pair overcome the terrors of the seven seas

Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes were crowned the 49er ISAF 2007 World Champions this week after victory in the Medal Race in Cascais, Portugal, against somewhat unfriendly competition.

Having led the regatta from the start with consistently impressive results, Morrison and Rhodes' performance capped a high-quality display of boat-handling confidence - especially considering some of the strategies employed by rivals. Following the discovery of many underhand tactics, the International 49er Class has been forced to release the following statement:

Urgent for All Sailors

Class Rules Notice

The International 49er Class has been informed through its Chief Measurer by the ISAF Class Rules Sub Committee chairman that a number of teams are using "tools" attached to their shroud turnbuckle systems which are in contravention of the current class rules.

This being the case teams are therefore advised to remove such "tooling" until such time that a class rule submission is put to ISAF and as such is approved by the responsible ISAF committee... It is recommended that the issues are addressed now with those who have made or incorporated any item that is not class compliant.

Barry Johnson

Class Chief Measurer

It is believed the statement is deliberately ambiguous and avoids specifics in an attempt not to cause undue panic. Rumours persist however, that the 'tools' mentioned refer to muskets and even cannons employed by some sailors looking to attack weaker opposition. Additional skull and crossbones sails to increase top speeds and crows nests attached to the tops of masts have also been outlawed and will be punished under new legislation.

An unnamed source from the Royal Yachting Association further advised that any future applicants donning an eye-patch, wooden leg or parrot is likely to be immediately dismissed. In response, one opponent commented "Yarr".