Doping violator inducted in America's Cup Hall of Fame

The America's Cup Hall of Fame was created to honor the challengers, defenders, and legendary personages of the world's most distinguished sporting competition. Commencing with the first induction ceremony in 1993, over 70 legends of the Cup have been selected for membership in the Hall of Fame.

Candidates eligible for consideration include skippers, afterguard, crew, designers, builders, organizers, syndicate leaders, managers, supporters, chroniclers, race managers, and other individuals of merit. Each nominee is judged on the basis of outstanding ability, international recognition, character, performance, and contributions to the America’s Cup.

Given that the America’s Cup is arguably the premiere event in the sport, it has long attracted some of the most notable sailors, of which the Hall of Fame Honor Roll of Members represents the most elite group. Considering this extremely high standard, it is of interest that the latest selection for induction at the 17th Induction Ceremony on September 18, 2010 includes a candidate that had been banned from the sport.

The induction list includes Simon Daubney (NZL), Warwick Fleury (NZL), Murray Jones (NZL), Dean Phipps (NZL), Mike Drummond (NZL), and Halsey Herreshoff (USA). As for the asterisk among the group, it is Daubney, who was banned from the sport by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) from July 14, 2007 to July 13, 2009 as a result of an Anti Doping violation during the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007.

The violation hearings process, which had included the America’s Cup jury, ISAF, and the Swiss Olympic Association, concluded when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) agreed with the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) that Daubney was in violation of doping. Following this action, ISAF Secretary General Jerome Pels said, “We are delighted with the outcome of the CAS Hearing. ISAF’s Anti-Doping Programme seeks to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about the spirit of sport; it is the essence of Olympism and how we play true. Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport.”

ISAF report: http://www.sailing.org/news/25570.php
Hall of Fame announcement: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0512a/