Jorge Flethes (ESP) seems to move fluidly among teams and on every boat in the GP42 fleet. But who is he? He wears sailing kit, but does not seem to be with any one team, nor does he seem to be with the Audi MedCup organisation or the media. Yet he has full access to all secured areas of the venues, and is out on the water each day with his own RIB and a radio, boarding the winning boat after each race even before their own support boat can come alongside.

It turns out that just like the race managers, Jury members, and Audi MedCup organisers, Jorge Flethes too is an important and key element to the close racing in the GP42 Series: he is the Class Measurer, the policeman who ensures that all boats and teams conform to the rules.

In a game where races are won and lost on a scale of metres and seconds, each team looks for every possible advantage to give them an edge. And in highly technical and high-performance boats like the GP42’s and TP52’s, this means measurements have to be scrutinised to within millimeters, weights within grams, and other interpretations made to comply with the so-called “box rules” where tolerances are allowed within a small range to encourage evolution of design and innovation.

So just as the Jury on the water watches to ensure right-of-way rules are being honored, so Jorge watches to see that these measurement rules are also being honored, and each boat’s dimensions are summarised on an official certificate of measurement that Jorge must ratify.

We had a chance to chat with Jorge about his role and what is entailed with the measurement of a GP42.

Audi MedCup: Where and how does the process begin?
Jorge Flethes: “ It all begins at the boat-builder, where a new boat’s hull is measured for length and beam as soon as the deck is put on. I also then check that it has the required internal structure and other features required by the rules.

Next will be the keel and the bulb. I measure the bulb dimensions, the keel fin at its top and bottom, and make sure there are no materials used outside the rules. Then I weigh both when they’re assembled, though we’re considering changing this next year to weigh them separately (so there’s no pressure to minimise the fin weight to put more into the bulb). Right now the maximum weight for both is 2300 kg.”

AM: What about the mast and the sails?
JF: “ The mast is measured first before it is stepped in the boat for its dimensions, its weight and its CG (center of gravity), which has to be within 5 cm of the rule’s requirements. This is critical, as it affects the pitching moment and stability of the boat.

Sails are checked not by the cut dimensions provided by the sail-makers, as in other class and handicap rules, but by having me measure them myself. This is much more accurate, since sails tend to shrink when they are used. So the teams usually do a practice race with their new sails to look at them first before submitting them to me. Once approved, they get an official stamp, and logged into their allowed inventory for the season since there are limits.”

AM: What about weighing the boat?
JF: “ Yes, once the boat is finished by the builder and the mast and all other equipment is installed, I weigh everything with a crane without the required safety equipment, sails, fuel, etc. The rule says a GP42 in this condition must be between 4200 – 4400 kg.”

AM: What is the actual range in the fleet?
JF: “Close to the minimum: from 4200 to 4250 kg!”

AM: What happens if a boat is under the minimum?
JF: “ Then corrector weights are allowed, but no more than 3% of the total weight.”

AM: What about crew weight?
JF: “ This is important as well, and we check every team before the regatta begins. Maximum allowed is 800 kg, and most teams sail with 10 crew at about an 80 kg average weight.”

AM: What happens if a team is over weight?
JF: “ If they have not started racing, they will have to start running to lose the weight! Because if they have been checked after racing and come in over the limit, then they are disqualified. We are very strict about this, and this is different to the TP52’s where a penalty is given, as was the case in Alicante (with Marazzi Sailing).”

AM: Are there other things you look for when inspecting the boats?
JF: “ Yes, I look to see they have the required safety equipment under ORC rules, that they have stamped sails on board, and that if they declare a life raft to be on board that it is there. I also place a sticker on the attachments of the lower lifelines, because we require a minimum tension on them in the rules. If they are loosened, crew could hike out further and therefore get an advantage. So every day I check to see if the sticker is still intact on each boat.”

AM: Has everyone been well-behaved?
JF: “ This is a very competitive group, but so far so good: we’ve had no measurement protests or disqualifications!”