Tips to winning a protest

by Kim Couranz, SpinSheet
Protests are generally not fun, but they are always opportunities for learning. Moreover, they are an important part of our sport. Many sailors are wary of the protest room, thinking, “It’s always a toss-up, even if I know I was right!”

But that’s not the case. There are ways to improve your chances. Clearly and concisely stating your case on a well-crafted protest form or request for redress is an important part of sharing your side of the incident with the Protest Committee. You want to walk the Protest Committee through your experience, highlighting key points along the way, that will help them identify the “facts found” that lead to conclusions and a decision supporting your experience.

Your protest/redress form, now called a Hearing Request Form (because it covers protests, requests for redress, and reopening of cases), is how the Protest Committee first gets to know your case. As in so many situations, first impressions definitely count. Here are some tips to make your form resonate with the Protest Committee. – Full report