The incident arose in Wednesday's race three of the Italian series of the Eurolymp circuit. Points count towards world rankings and the event is an early indicator of form ahead of Olympic selection this September in Portugal.
As fleet leaders crossed tacks in strong winds on the approach to the windward mark, Craig, in sixth place, noticed two French boats – that so far remain unidentified – on starboard (right of way) tack crossing Italy's top ranked Pietro Magnahi.
"I heard shouting between the three of them just a few boat lengths to weather of me and then I saw Magnahi tack but he collided with one of the French boats".
The Italian boat capsized and Magnahi was thrown overboard. Injured and screaming, Craig spotted him trying to keep his head above the choppy waters.
"I could not believe it. The French guy just carried on and left the Italian to his own devices. Then I saw Roger stopping to help him and I realised it was serious" said Craig's coach Trevor Millar who watched the drama unfold from a coach boat.
In spite of the fact that there were several witnesses – both competitors and coaches – the French boat involved has not been identified and nobody has come forward. Magnahi admits he cannot remember what happened.
The racing rules of sailing make it clear that competitor must render assistance if required regardless of any sacrifice it means to racing positions.
"He was shouting help and I could see him going under [the water]. He could not swim because he had dislocated his shoulder and was drifting from his boat" Craig said.
Craig grabbed him by the collar and dragged him onboard the Irish boat. "He just lay across the cockpit screaming. A few minutes later a rescue boat tuned up and took him off" he said.
But, quite surprisingly, Maghnai's 14 foot craft was left abandoned by the rescue services. It drifted around the race course upside down for the rest of the day.
Clearly the interruption cost Craig as many as 30 places in the 40 boat division of the 92 boat fleet. He resumed racing and managed to regain 10 or more places by the finish line to end 19th.
The Irish immediately appealed to organisers when Craig came ashore. They sought redress under the rules for the assistance given.
In a hearing by an international jury Craig was awarded average based on his previous race performances.
He was counting two fifth places so got another fifth position, ironically roughly the place he was in when he came to the Italian's aid. The jury also acknowledged Craig's sportsmanship.
Yesterday Craig was in the jury room again but this time he was disqualified from Thursday morning's race as a premature starter. He came 15th yesterday afternoon slipping so he has slipped from 7th to 12 overall.
In the Laser radial division sisters Annalise and Claudine Murphy from Dun Laoghaire's National YC lie 17th and 19th respectively in the 42 boat radial fleet.
Another Dun Laoghaire sailor Tim Goodbody, from the Royal Irish YC, is fifth overall in the 49 boat Finn fleet having scored two top ten results yesterday.
Racing concludes today.
