HSC Regatta: Sailing Instructions

HAMPTON SAILING CLUB REGATTA

24th & 25th June 2023

Safety

The safety of a boat and her entire management including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/person racing the boat who must ensure that the yacht and crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of the race. Neither these Sailing Instructions nor any inspection of the boat limits or reduces the absolute responsibility of the owner/person in charge of the crew, the boat and her management. The race organizers shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury however caused to the owner/person in charge or crew of the boat for the race or races.

1. Rules

The open meeting/regatta will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-24 (RRS), the prescription of the national authority and rules of the classes, except as changed by these Sailing Instructions and the Notice of Race.

2. Entries

Eligible boats may be entered by completing the entry form and by paying the entry fee prescribed by the Sailing Committee. Points shall be awarded on the basis of the helmsman not the boat and references below to “boat” shall be construed accordingly.

3. Noticeboard

Notices to competitors shall be posted on the official noticeboard located in the clubhouse adjacent to the course diagram. The Official Course will be that shown on the course board adjacent to the timekeepers’ box on the starting line.

4. Changes to the Sailing Instructions

Should be it necessary to change the sailing instructions, flag “L” over the class or heat flag will be displayed on the flagstaff at least 30 minutes before the start of the race.

5. Signals

Signals will be displayed from a mast adjacent to the starting line, normally the flagstaff at the timekeepers’ box.

6. Schedule of Races

Starting time will be shown on the Official Noticeboard at least 20 minutes before the start.

7. Class Flags

Enterprise–flag E, GP14-flag A, Handicap-Numeral 1, Merlin Rocket-flag O.

8. Racing Area

Illustration. Note “out of bounds areas”

 
RaceMap2

9.1 Course

Courses will be set by marks, which are buoys. For each class, the sequence in which these buoys shall be rounded during each lap together with the number of laps to be sailed will be indicated on the course board displayed at the timekeepers’ box on the starting line, before the class warning signal.

9.2 Shortened Course

In addition to RRS 32.1 (a) – (e) and 32.2, the course may also be shortened by the Race Committee in the interests of the wellbeing of the competitors.

10. Marks

Letters are used to denote the marks and their approximate positions are shown on the illustration. Note – these letters are not painted on the marks, which are small yellow, red, pink or orange buoys.

11.1 The Start

Races will be started using the 5, 4, 1 start system RRS 26. RRS 29.3 – in the event of a General Recall and heats or several classes are being started in a programme sequence; restarts after a general recall will be given after the last advertised race of the sequence has been made.

11.2 Starting Line

This will normally be a line across the river being the projection of the beacons on the timekeepers’ box. The outer distance mark will be laid as close as practical to this line. When a fair start line and /or a satisfactory length for the first leg of the course cannot be provided by the length, angle or position of the club line, an alternative starting line will be defined on the Official Noticeboard.

12, 13. Spare numbers to maintain consistency with RRS Appendix N

14. The Finishing Line

This will be a line across the river, being the beacons at the timekeepers’ box in transit. Once the first boat in the race has finished all the other boats in the race shall be finished as they cross the line in the same direction as the leading yacht.

15. Penalties

The Scoring penalty system (RRS 44.3) shall not apply

16. Time Limit

The time limit shall be 2 hours. Any boat failing to finish within 30 minutes after the first boat finishes will be scored “Did not Finish”.

17. Protests

Protests shall be written on forms available from the race officer / timekeeper and returned to them within 45 minutes of the boat which is making the protest finishing. The Race Officer or an assistant will advise parties to the protest of the time of the hearing.

18. Scoring

The low point system (RRS Appendix A4) will apply. Number of Races (RRS A1). When four or five races are sailed, the best three races shall count; when three races are sailed the best two races shall count; when only two races are sailed both shall count. RRS A2 and “scores not discardable” will apply. Boats that did not start, did not finish or retired after finishing will be scored according to RRS A4.2 save that:

a) Subject to (b) below a boat which does not come to the starting area shall be scored points for the finishing place two more than the number of boats entered in the series.

b) If a boat does not come to the starting area because the helm and/or crew is a duty officer, time keeper, caterer or bar officer, the boat shall score average points for the race.

Ties will be broken according RRS A8.

19. Declarations

Declarations are required to be signed within 30 minutes of finishing. A form will be posted on, or adjacent to, the Official Noticeboard in the clubhouse.

20. Temporary Membership

Competitors are welcomed as temporary members for the duration of the event.