US SAILING Statement on Rios-Hall Hearings

The RS:X Women's Olympic Trials Jury conducted 2 hearings on April 8 and 9, 2008 in Providence, Rhode Island. The first hearing was a reopening of a request for redress filed by Nancy Rios (USA 323) after the last race at the Olympic Trials held in October 2007. The hearing was conducted "de novo" (that is from the beginning with all testimony from the prior hearing disregarded) on April 8th. After hearing all evidence, the jury granted redress to Ms Rios. Farrah Hall (USA 3) then requested redress based on the jury's decision. The hearing on Ms. Hall's request for redress commenced at 9 AM on April 9th and ended at 10 PM. The jury concluded the evening by stating that it would render a decision as soon as possible.

At issue were a tear in Ms Rios' sail caused in a collision with a competitor required to keep clear and the time Ms Rios took to recover her sail and resume racing. The collision took place at the start of the final race in the Olympic Trials. At that time Ms Rios was winning the regatta. .Both Ms Hall and Ms Rios agreed that the tear occurred in that incident, and that the tear affected. Ms Rios' performance. Both athletes also agreed that the collision caused Ms Rios to lose some time. The athletes disagreed, however, on the extent to which Ms Rios was affected.

The following testified in both hearings:
- Nancy Rios (USA 323)
- Farrah Hall (USA 3)
- Karen Marriot (USA 41) (a competitor- for Ms Hall)
- Lisa Kremer (USA 118) (a competitor - for Ms Hall)
- Barbara Kremer (for Ms Hall)
- Larry White (jury)
- Doug Campbell (jury)
- Chris Luppens (jury)

Morten Christoffersen testified in the Rios hearing at Ms Hall's request. Ms Hall declined to call Mr. Christoffersen in the hearing on her request for redress. Ms Hall testified that Mr Christoffersen had testified in the Rios hearing as Ms. Hall's expert witness. Mr. Christoffersen is a two-time Olympian (Windsurfing, 1992 and 1996 for Denmark) and attorney now residing in Florida

Dean Brenner, Chairman of the US Olympic Sailing Committee testified in the Rios hearing.

In the Hall hearing the following also testified:
- Doug Smith (Ms Hall's attorney)
- Bill Thorpe (jury)
- Chip Johns (jury)

Ms Hall's attorney was an observer in the Rios hearing. In the Hall hearing Ms Hall's attorney was the representative, provided testimony, and questioned all witnesses (including all 5 members of the jury).

Ms Rios was present throughout the Rios hearing, provided testimony and had the opportunity to question all witnesses. Brad Dellenbaugh was Ms Rios' observer in that hearing. Ms Rios chose to have no observer in the Hall hearing and was present only when giving testimony.

US SAILING's attorney, Charley Cook, a partner in the law firm Morrison Mahoney LLP, was present as an observer in the Rios hearing. Mr. Cook represented US SAILING in the Hall hearing.

The U.S. Olympic Committee had two observers present throughout the hearing.

The jury was comprised of 3 ISAF-certified judges, a US SAILING Senior Judge and an elite athlete with more than 30 years of experience in the development, design, testing and construction of sailboats, spars and sails.

Dean Brenner said after the conclusion of the hearing: "Ms Rios and Ms Hall were given the opportunity to fully present their positions over 22 hours of hearings. We are gratified by the efforts of the jury." Mr Brenner continued: "US SAILING hopes that the sailing community will rally around whichever athlete is declared the winner when the jury announces it decision. It's time to move on and let that athlete focus on preparing to represent the United States in China."

(End)

For further questions, please contact:
Charles A. Cook
Partner
Morrison Mahoney LLP
250 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
617-439-7505
ccook@morrisonmahoney.com