Sailing Instructions - The Quinny Regatta

1st release 05/02/2021
1. RACING RULES
1.1
The regatta will be governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2
The prescriptions of Australian Sailing will apply.
1.3
Racing rule 40 will be changed as follows:
a)
Competitors shall wear personal flotation devices whilst afloat, except briefly while changing or adjusting clothing or personal equipment. Wet suits and dry suits are not personal flotation devices. Changes RRS Rule 40.
1.4
It is requirement of entry that compliance with current COVID19 restrictions are observed. This includes, but is not limited to every competitor signing in to our Covid Check-in page each day with the QR code provided. Failure to do so or not comply with requests from the Organising Authority may result in disqualification.

2. NOTICES TO COMPETITORS AND SKIPPER'S MEETING
2.1
Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board in the club house.
2.2
Changes to the Sailing Instructions will be posted before 09:00 hours on the day they will take effect. Schedule changes will be posted by 20:00 hours on the day before they are to take effect.
2.3
There will be a competitors meeting outside the clubhouse on Saturday 6th February at 1000. Other skippers’ meetings may be scheduled as required.
2.4
Competitors must be aware of other classes racing, and keep clear of boats racing when sailing to and from the course.

3. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
3.1
Signals made ashore will be displayed on the Flag pole at the front of the club house.
3.2
When flag AP is displayed ashore, ‘1 minute’ is replaced with ‘not less than 30 minutes’ in race signal AP.

4. SCHEDULE

All Classes
-
Registration
Saturday
6th February 2021
0930 to 1000
-
Sailors Meeting:
Saturday
6th February 2021
1000

Dates of racing:

Day
Date
All Classes
Saturday
6th February 2021
First Warning not before 1100
Sunday
7th February 2021
First Warning not before 0900, Last warning not after 1500

4.1
Racing may be back to back (max of 4 races per session) with a maximum of 10 races for the series.
4.2
When back-to-back races are to be held, the Race Committee Signals Vessel will display the Answering Pennant at the finish line. The warning signal for the next race will be made as soon as practicable after the finish of the preceding race. This changes race signals Answering Pennant.
4.3
On the last day of the regatta, no warning signal will be made after 15:00 hours.

5. CLASS FLAGS

Class flags will be as follows:

FLAG
CLASS
Grey Class Flag
Hobie 14
Pink Class Flag
Hobie 16
Green Class Flag
H17, H18, Tiger, Wildcat

6. RACE AREA

The race area will be on the waters in the vicinity of VSC. See Attachment A.


7. PROHIBITED SAILING
7.1
There are no areas of prohibited sailing.

8. COURSES
8.1
The International Hobie Cat Class Courses will be used as shown in Attachment B.
8.2
All marks, except gates are to be left to port.
8.3
When there is a gate, boats shall sail between the gate marks from the direction of the previous mark and round either gate mark.
8.4
The offset mark, if used, is defined as a mark located approximately 50 to 100 metres from the windward mark and approximately at right angles to the wind direction. It applies both at the beginning of downwind legs and at reaches.
8.5
H14 only:>
-
If course “1 GO M” or “2 GO M” is displayed at the start, then after the first lap Mark O and Mark A form a gate. After rounding either mark, pass downwind through the gate.

9. MARKS
9.1
Marks A and O will be a large orange inflatable buoys.
9.2
Mark A1, C and G will be yellow self inflating buoys.
9.3
Mark O1 will be yellow self inflating buoy with a black stripe.
9.4
The starting and finishing line port end mark will have an orange flag 
9.5
Mark A and O are for H14 only
9.6
Mark A1 and O1 are for ALL classes other than H14

10. THE START
10.1
Races will be started by using rule 26 with the warning signal given 3 minutes before the starting signal.
10.2
The starting line will be between a staff displaying an Orange flag on the Race Committee Signal Vessel at the starboard end and the port end start mark.
10.3
Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall avoid the starting area.
10.4
A boat starting later than 4 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start. This changes rule A4.2
10.5
Start line obstruction: The start line shall rank as an obstruction for classes previously started while other classes are starting and in sequence until after the last class has successfully started.
10.6
Minimum wind conditions: No race will be started in under 5 knots of wind at all marks of the course as determined by the Race Committee.

11. THE FINISH
11.1
The finish line will be between a staff displaying an Orange flag on the Race Committee Signal Vessel and the finish mark.
11.2
Finish Line Obstruction: The finish line shall rank as an obstruction when a blue flag or shape is displayed on the Race Committee Signal Boat at the finish line.

12. PENALTY SYSTEM

Rule 44.1 is changed so that only one turn, including one tack and one gybe, is required.


13. TIME LIMITS

There will be no time limit. Boats may be ‘Finished On Course’ (FOC) at the discretion of the race committee. All boats notified ‘FOC’ shall return immediately to the start area while avoiding any boats still racing. This changes rules 28.1, 35 and A4.1


14. PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS
14.1
Protest forms are available at the sailing office. Protests shall be delivered there within the protest time limit.
14.2
For each class, the protest time limit is 60 minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day. The same protest time limit applies to all protests by the Race Committee and Protest Committee and to requests for redress.
14.3
Notices will be posted within 30 minutes of the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties. Hearings will be held in the TSC clubhouse beginning at the first reasonable opportunity after the completion of racing.

15. SCORING
15.1
The Low Point scoring system of Appendix A4.1 of the Racing Rules of Sailing will be used.
15.2
1 race is required to be completed to constitute a series.
15.3
When fewer than 4 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of its race scores.
15.4
When 4 to 7 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
15.5
When 8 or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst.
15.6
Unless otherwise prescribed in these Sailing Instructions, The Jury may award a scoring penalty as an alternative to DSQ. The penalty will be at the discretion of the Jury. This changes Rule 64.1.

16. SAFETY REGULATIONS
16.1
A boat that retires from racing shall notify the Race Committee as soon as possible.

17. RUBBISH DISPOSAL

Boats shall not put rubbish in the water. Rubbish may be placed aboard support and Race Committee boats.


18. RACE COMMITTEE BOATS

All race committee boats will identified at the sailors meeting.


19. RADIO COMMUNICATION

A boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones.


20. PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded according to number of entries at the discretion of the organising authority.


21. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
21.1
It is the competitor's decision to enter an event or to start and continue in any race. Competitors shall accept that their participation in an event is at their exclusive risk in every respect. Attention is drawn to Fundamental Rule 4 – Decision to Race. The Organising Authority, and the respective host class association(s), their officers, members, servants and agents accept no liability in respect of loss of life, personal injury or loss or damage to property which may be sustained by reason of their participation or intended participation in an event or how so ever arising in connection with an event.
21.2
The sponsors, organising authority and their officers, members, servants and agents and all parties involved in the organisation and conduct of the regatta shall not be liable in respect of loss of life, personal injury or loss or damage howsoever caused which may occur whether ashore or afloat during or in conjunction with the regatta.
21.3
The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions do not limit or reduce the complete and unlimited responsibilities of each competitor for the management and care of a boat that he or she has entered in the regatta.

22. INSURANCE
22.1
All boats competing shall have third party insurance cover of not less than AUD$5,000,000 or equivalent thereof in any other currency for any accident.
22.2
All owners/competitors who sign the Entry Form are deemed to have made a declaration that they hold such cover. Competitors may be required to produce evidence of such insurance and any competitor not holding this cover shall withdraw their entry. Adequate race insurance is also recommended for this event.

23. SPECIAL NOTES
23.1
Race Committee boats shall rank as obstructions.
23.2
The Race Committee will not answer any questions on the water.
23.3
Any boat receiving ‘hands on’ assistance, whilst racing, from a Race Committee boat will be scored Did Not Finish. The Race Committee may decide when a boat or crew needs assistance.

24. Safety notes to competitors
24.1
If wind, wave or water conditions make you doubtful of your ability to handle the conditions, retire from the race.
24.2
Before raising the mast and always whilst sailing, check for and avoid low overhead electrical power lines. If you see a power line, avoid it. A mast coming in contact or even near an electrical power line can cause serious injury or death to people on or touching the boat.
24.3
Sailors are strongly recommended to use trapeze harnesses with a quick release hookless system or a quick release hook, which meets the ISO 10862 standard
24.4
If sailors wish to wear head protection it is strongly recommend they use helmets of European standard EN1385

25. Advertising
25.1
Advertising will be as defined by ISAF Regulation 20.
25.2
Boats may be provided with, and required to display and maintain sponsors advertising on port and starboard hulls, in a location acceptable to the organizing authority.