SAILING: Round Ireland organiser Denis Noonan has criticised the Royal Cork Yacht Club following Round Ireland race winner Eric Lisson's allegation that there had been a gross breach of sportsmanship by a member, or members, of the Crosshaven club.
Noonan, of Wicklow Sailing club, has called for the Munster club to "gets its house in order" and described the rumours doubting Lisson's rating certificate as "nothing more than a Royal Cork vendetta".
Royal Cork's Donal McClement said yesterday there was no vendetta against Lisson and last night the admiral of the club, David O'Brien, called for a speedy resolution of the issue between the parties concerned.
He underlined the fact that Lisson's win was a magnificent achievement for the club.
McClement said "The ball is in the court of the ISA to respond to Eric Lisson's letter.
"For the good of the sport it needs to be done sooner rather than later," he said.
The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) have refused to name the sailor at the centre of allegations made by Lisson and remained tight-lipped yesterday about the possible formation of a tribunal with "quasi-judicial" powers to investigate the matter.
Last night Noonan joined in the debate on the issue. "Incidents like this only harm sailing as it casts doubt on RORC rating certs and the sportsmanship of boat owners," he said.
In a written report to the ISA, Lisson has sought a hearing to be carried out under rule 69 of the international rules of sailing to clear his name and scotch rumours that his yacht, Cavatina's, handicap was anything other than what she had been assigned.
The details of the case have now been communicated by secretary general Paddy Boyd to ISA president John Crebbin, who will decide if the case should be referred to the tribunal.
If the case is to go ahead the ISA would have to inform the respondent by letter that they must attend the hearing and/or submit a written statement, to be legally represented if so desired, and to give and call written or oral evidence in support of the case.
The respondent would have 14 days to reply and a further 14 days would elapse before any hearing would take place.
