AMERICAN YACHT CLUB
Optimist Invitational Regatta
Sailing Instructions
1 Rules
The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing
Rules of Sailing 2001-2004,
the rules of the U.S. Optimist Dinghy Association and
the 2004 Rules for JSA Events except as any of these are changed by these
Sailing Instructions.
2 Changes to the Racing Rules
2.1 A
boat that takes a 720° Turns Penalty shall inform the Race Committee of this at
the finishing line. This adds to Rule 44.2.
2.2 Upon
finishing each race, a boat intending to protest shall immediately, without
consultation with instructors or spectators, notify the Race Committee of her
intent to protest and, if possible, the sail number of the protested boat. This
adds to Rule 61.1(a).
2.3 The
JSA Arbitration Procedure (Appendix C of the 2004 Rules for JSA Events) shall
be used for hearing protests. This changes Rule 63.
2.4 A protesting boat does not need to lodge
a written protest. (This changes Rule 61.2.)
3 Notices to Competitors
Notices
will be posted on the official regatta notice board located on the front porch
of the clubhouse. Any change to the
Sailing Instructions will be posted no fewer than 30 minutes before the harbor
start.
4 Signals Made Ashore
Signals made ashore will be displayed from the club flagpole. The harbor start will be signaled by a gun
blast from the committee boat. No boat shall leave the dock, area until the
harbor start has been signaled.
5. Schedule
5.1 The
Race Committee will run as many races as is reasonably possible. At least one race must be completed to
constitute a series.
5.2
0930-1100 Registration
1100 Skippers
Meeting
1200 Harbor Start
1230 First
warning signal
No
warning signal will be made after 1630.
The
awards ceremony will be held on the club lawn immediately after racing.
6 Class Flags
The
class flags will be a red flag for the Red Fleet; a blue flag for the Blue
Fleet; and a white flag for the White Fleet. Boats shall display a streamer of
the appropriate color from the top of their sprit pole while racing.
7 Racing Area
The
racing area will be in the vicinity of 40A SE of AYC.
8 Safety
8.1 Each boat must comply with the USODA rules and with the
2004 JSA Optimist Inspection Checklist (Appendix A of the 2004 Rules for JSA
Events). An inspection of some or all boats may be carried out at any time
during the event.
8.2 Before
the first warning signal of the day, all competitors shall check in with the
Race Committee by sailing on starboard tack or towing past the stern of the
anchored Race Committee boat and hailing their sail number until acknowledged
by a committee member.
8.3 A boat that retires from a race shall notify a Race Committee
boat before leaving the race area. If this is impossible, the competitor
shall notify a regatta representative immediately after arriving ashore.
9 The Course
The
course shall be a modified triangle as shown below. All rounding marks shall be
left to port. The starting line is on
the port side of the Race Committee boat, and the finish line is on the
starboard side. The finish mark shall be
left to starboard.
10 Marks
10.1 Marks
1, 2 and 3 will be yellow inflatable balls.
10.2 The
starting mark will be a staff with orange flag.
10.3 The
finishing mark will be a staff with orange flag.
11 The
Start
11.1 Races
will be started in accordance with the Sound-Signal Starting System as follows:
Signal Time Sound Visual
Warning 3 minutes 3 long blasts Class
flag(s) hoisted
Red,
Blue and/or White
Preparatory 2 minutes 2
long blasts
1.5 minutes 1 long 3 short
1 minute 1 long blast
30 seconds 3 short blasts
20 seconds 2 short blasts
10 seconds 1 short blast
5-1 seconds 1 short blast each second
Start 0 1 long blast Class flag(s) lowered
11.2 A series of short sounds will be used to call attention before
each warning signal.
11.3 At the warning (three minute) signal, a colored flag(s) will be
flown from the Race Committee boat signifying the next division(s) to start
(i.e. Red, Blue and/or White).
11.4 The starting line will be between a orange flag on the Race
Committee boat and the starting mark on the port side of the Race Committee
boat.
11.5 Additional races may start as soon as possible after each fleet
completes the preceding race.
12 Recalls
12.1 Individual recalls will be signaled by Flag “X” and one sound
signal. The Race Committee will attempt to hail the sail numbers of boats that
are over early.
12.2 A general recall will be signaled by flag “First Substitute” and
two sound signals. After a general recall, the three-minute sequence will
begin one minute after the lowering of flag “First Substitute.”
12.3 The Round-an-End Rule is in effect when Flag “I” is displayed
before or with the warning (three minute) signal. In this case, the I flag will
be lowered at one minute and the Race Committee may begin hailing sail numbers
then.
13 The Finish
The finishing line will be between an orange flag displayed on the
starboard side of the Race Committee boat and the finishing mark located to the
starboard side of the Race Committee boat.
14 Time Limit
The time
limit for the first boat in each division in each race to finish will be 60
minutes. Those boats that do not finish within 20 minutes of the first boat in
their division will be scored "TLE." They shall receive the number of
points that is half way between the number of boats that started that race and
the number of boats that finished it. (This changes Rules 35 and A4.2.)
15 Protests
15.1 Upon finishing each race, a boat intending to protest shall
immediately, without consultation with instructors or spectators, notify the
Race Committee of their intent to protest and, if possible, the sail number of
the protested boat. (This adds to Rule 61.1)
15.2 A protesting boat does not need to lodge a written protest.
(This changes Rule 61.2.)
15.3 The JSA Arbitration Procedure (as described in Appendix C of the
2004 Rules for JSA Events) shall be used for hearing protests. (This changes
Rule 63.)
15.4 The Race Committee will post a list of protests and a hearing
schedule within 15 minutes after arriving ashore. It is the responsibility of
all competitors to check the official notice board immediately after returning
ashore to see if they are involved in a protest and, if so, when it will be
heard. Failure to do this may result in a protest being decided without all
parties present.
15.5 Protests under Sailing Instructions 3, 5, 7.2 and 13 may be made
only by the Race Committee.
16 Scoring
The Low
Point Scoring System, Appendix A of The Racing Rules of Sailing,
will apply except that no races will be discarded.
17 Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in the Red, Blue and
White Fleets. A sportsmanship trophy may
be awarded for one or more fleets at the discretion of the Race Committee.
18 Support
Craft
Any club entering three or more boats shall supply a support craft
equipped with a VHF radio, an anchor, and a first aid kit. The instructor or adult who shall be driving
the support craft must check with the Race Committee about safety patrol
assignments and responsibilities. Spectator boats shall stay clear of the race
area(s) at all times.
19 Responsibility For Safety
As a condition of participation of any boat in any race or related activity sponsored or undertaken by the American Yacht Club, the owner and the helmsperson of each boat agree that the safety of the boat and the helmsperson and the decision whether or not to start or continue to race is solely their responsibility. Each of them waives all claims which he or she or any heir, representative, successor or assignee, may have against the American Yacht Club and the JSA of LIS, and their officers, trustees, members, committees, employees or agents, arising out of or in any way connected with participation in such race or activity. Responsibility for evaluating wind, sea and weather conditions rests with each participant, as does the responsibility for the safe condition of the boat including safety equipment and rigging and wearing a life jacket. Assistance from the Race Committee, patrol boats, or other support boats and from personnel aboard them is at the risk of the participant.