|
1 Conditions and Sailing
Instructions
The Organizing Authority, US SAILING,
issues these Conditions. The Conditions and Sailing Instructions will apply
for the ten ladder events (Area Eliminations) of the Championship and the
National Championship. Individual class championship regattas held by their
designated class representatives shall not be considered “ladder events”.
2 Selection of Teams
2.1 Area Eliminations – There will be Area
Eliminations to select the teams that will represent the Areas at the
National Championship. The Area Elimination events must not include
ineligible teams in the same start or fleet with eligible teams at regattas
that are hosting multiple fleets. Elimination events must consist of at
least three (3) races and have five (5) or more competitors for its results
to be considered valid.
2.2 National Championship, Eligible
Teams (20):
a)
Area Eliminations (11) – the
first place team, or the second or third place team if the first place team
is unable to attend, from each of the ten (10) US SAILING Area Elimination
events. One (1) additional position is reserved for a second team from the
largest participated Area Elimination.
b)
Additional Teams (9):
·
One representative from the
Hobie Class Association, selected by the North American Hobie Class Chair.
·
One representative from the
classes manufactured by Performance Catamarans/NACRA and selected by
Performance Catamarans/NACRA.
·
Two representatives from
different double-handed multihull classes or single-handed class, being the
respective class North American Champions. The classes shall be selected by
the U.S. Multihull Championship Committee – these are designated the
“rotating” class.
·
One representative from the
Olympic Multihull Class, selected by their National Class Representative.
·
Three teams selected from
Open Petition by the Alter Cup Committee.
·
The returning U.S. Multihull
Champion from the prior year.
2.3 Selection Guidelines:
a) Class representatives are encouraged to
select their designated representatives according to the following
guidelines:
i)
Where a Class Association
represents multiple one-design classes, their representative(s) should be
from their largest class(es).
ii)
A current or last year’s
National Champion or leader in the class’ national ranking system.
iii)
A current or last year’s
National runner-up.
iv)
A representative deemed
suitable by virtue of outstanding sailing accomplishments in that class.
b) The U.S. Multihull Championship
Committee shall invite petitions from a double-handed or single-handed
one-design or formula class. The Committee may give precedence initially to
the classes which:
i)
Have the largest
participation in Area Eliminations.
ii)
Have the largest
participation in their most recent national-level event, and
iii) Have a national-level champion or
ranked sailor willing and committed to attending this Championship.
In each succeeding year, the committee may
rotate the awarding of this invitation amongst the various classes, to
eventually involve all supporting classes directly in this Championship.
c) The U.S. Multihull Championship
Committee will evaluate Open Petitions based on completeness, accuracy, and
content of a submitted Petition Letter and Sailing Résumé. Petitions will
first be awarded to teams that competed in their Area Elimination. If a
petitioning Team did not compete in their Area Elimination, the reason
should be explained in the letter of Petition and leniency may be
considered.
d) The U.S. Multihull Championship
Committee may, after an appropriate registration deadline, fill any
vacancies with the second then third place teams from the Area Eliminations
in order of the largest attended events and then through additional Open
Petitions.
2.4 Once a team has qualified for this
event, standings in subsequent qualifying events are void for this selection
process. Open Petition may not select previously qualified teams.
2.5 If an Area fails to send a team, the
U.S. Multihull Championship Committee shall fill such vacancy with the
second or third place team from the Area Elimination with the largest
eligible participation, then the next largest, and so on. If no alternate is
able to attend, the vacancy shall be filled through Open Petitions of teams
that participated in an elimination event and if need be, teams that did not
participate in an elimination event.
2.6 Competitors are expected to compete in
the area in which they normally race and may only compete in one area
qualifier per year. If you cannot make the area qualifier in the area you
normally race, you may attend another area qualifier by petitioning the
committee to do so in advance.
2.7 The U.S. Multihull Championship is
open to US Citizens only.
3 Alternates and Substitutes
3.1 Once a team’s entry is accepted in any
Area Elimination or in the Championship, there may not be any substitution
for members of the team except as provided below.
3.2 If a crewmember is unable to attend
the Championship or continue in an event in progress due to sickness,
accident or other emergency, a replacement crewmember may, with
the approval of the Organizing Authority, be substituted for the crewmember
for one or more of the races. If the substitution occurs at the
Championship, the substituted crewmember must be eligible to compete, and
must be of a very close approximate weight to the substituted crew. The
representative of the Organizing Authority (typically the Committee Chair)
will have the sole responsibility for determining if the reason for the
substitution and the proposed crewmember are acceptable.
3.3 If a skipper is unable to continue an
event in progress due to sickness, accident or other emergency, the other
crewmember may, with the approval of the Organizing Authority, become
skipper. If a crew with a replacement skipper wins an event, the team is
eligible to advance to the next event with either the original skipper or
the replacement skipper subject to the approval of the Protest Committee of
the event just completed or the Organizing Authority.
3.4 It is the expressed intention of the
U.S. Multihull Championship Committee to review the results of the Area
Eliminations and the eligibility of teams submitting registration to the
Championship. Substitution of a team member after the Elimination event must
be adequately explained by the qualified skipper and accepted by the
Organizing Authority. “Poaching” of talent after the Elimination event for
the purpose (in whole or in part) of relinquishing helmsman responsibilities
will not be permitted. This shall be interpreted as the “Anti-Ringer Rule.”
4 Coaching and/or Support Boats
4.1 Team leaders, coaches or other support
personnel (including members of the press) shall not go afloat in the racing
area from the day of the first race of the event through the end of the
Championship event inclusive, except in spectator or press boats provided or
approved by the Organizing Authority or the Host Club.
4.2 Teams shall not receive advice,
instruction or coaching during the races. It is the intent of this rule to
prohibit contact during the races between contestants and any person who, in
the opinion of the Protest Committee or Organizing Authority, is a coach,
instructor or advisor.
4.3 The penalty for failing to comply with
this requirement may be the disqualification of all teams associated with
the infringing support personnel.
5 Boat/Equipment
5.1 The boats used in most National
Championships are borrowed either from private owners or from manufacturers.
It is of the utmost importance that they be treated with care at all times
as the future of these events depends on being able to borrow boats again.
See sections with regard to insurance provisions.
5.2 If a boat is disabled and cannot be
repaired before the next race, another boat, with the approval of the
Organizing Authority, may be substituted and may continue to be used for the
remaining races of the event. In such cases, the sails of the disabled boat
shall be used if possible.
5.3 Contestants shall be allowed to make
adjustments to the boats as recommended by the boat manufacturer and
approved in advance by the regatta by the Organizing Authority. All
equipment provided with the boat for sailing purposes shall be carried while
afloat.
5.4 Competitors shall not adjust the
diamond wire tension nor shall they alter the mast rake by adjusting the
headstay or shroud length unless expressly permitted to do so in compliance
with condition 5.3 above.
5.5 Teams are not permitted to take
aboard the boats any gear, rigging, electronics or equipment except:
-
Watch or other countdown timer
-
Mechanical or simple electrical compass
(units capable of displaying additional tactical information are
prohibited)
-
Flags
-
Non-permanent wind indicators
-
Normally equipped ditty bag
-
Personal effects
-
Trapeze Harness – Continuous trapeze
systems not allowed unless supplied with boats.
5.6 Teams must provide and wear in all
events PFDs/life jackets approved by the US Coast Guard or the Canadian
Department of Transportation.
5.7 Only one set of sails per boat may be
used in any Area Eliminations event except for changes approved by the
Protest Committee in the event of obvious sail damage.
5.8 Hulls and underwater foils may be
cleaned with normal soap and water only. Friction reducing soaps/products
are prohibited.
5.9 The intent of the Championship event is
to sail the boats as they are supplied. The penalty for infringement of the
above instructions will be disqualification from all races sailed in
contravention of the instructions.
5.10 Class rules requiring competitors to
be members of the class association will not apply at the National
Championship
6 Liability and Damage
6.1 At the Championship, unless obviated
by the Host
Club’s inclusive policy, it is mandatory that each participating skipper
purchase Borrowed Boat Insurance as listed in the Notice of Race. The
Borrowed Boat Insurance Program provides protection to those who lend boats.
This insurance does not relieve teams from liability in the event a team
does injury to other persons or property.
6.2 At the Championship, any damage or
loss of equipment, no matter how slight, must be reported to the race
committee at the completion of the race in which it occurs. The penalty for
infringement of this instruction, unless the Protest Committee is satisfied
that the team made a determined effort to comply, will be disqualification
from the race most recently sailed.
6.3 It is mandatory that the Organizing
Authority require a damage deposit (in addition to any per boat premium)
from each crew in an amount equal to the insurance deductible. The amount is
noted in the U.S. Multihull Championship Notice of Race. The payment should
be made out to the host club. When damages occur, the costs will be used
from the deposit of the team causing the damage when so noted by the Protest
Committee or the designated Beach Captain. Should a deposit be forfeited,
teams must submit an additional damage deposit before sailing the next race.
Damages attributable to a team will be deducted from their Insurance and
Boat Damage Deposit and the balance returned. A detailed accounting of
expended funds should be supplied promptly to each team to which the full
amount was not refunded.
6.4 The Protest Committee (or Beach
Captain in the event a Protest is not filed) will determine responsibility
for damage to boats or to other property, and all teams entering will be
bound thereby.
6.5 At-fault occurrences to other boats are
the responsibility of the skipper. Contestants are not covered by any
Liability Insurance provided by the host club and should provide their own
coverage for personal goods and liability protection. US SAILING recommends
those teams, or where minors are involved, their parents or guardians,
consult their own insurance carrier regarding additional personal liability
insurance coverage. At check in,
each team shall provide evidence that they are insured with valid
third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of US $200,000 per
occurrence.
6.6 US SAILING does not require the use of
hold‑harmless forms. It strongly recommends that organizing authorities seek
local legal advice on the question and carry adequate insurance coverage
such as that provided by the Regatta Liability Insurance Program endorsed by
US SAILING.
6.7 Competitors participate in the regatta
entirely at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision to Race. The Organizing
Authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal
injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after
the regatta.
7 Round-Robin Events and Variations
7.1 Area Eliminations will be conducted as
a bring‑your-own-boat event and competitors sail the same boat throughout
the event. Breakdown points will not be awarded in a bring-your-own-boat
event.
7.2 The National Championship will be
sailed as a promotion-relegation competition as follows. Teams at the
National Championship will be allowed reasonable time to make allowable
adjustments to the boat.
a)
Teams will draw for boat and initial division assignments (A1, A2
…A10; B1, B2 …B10). In heat 1B, all of the teams drawing "B" boats race
together. In heat 1A, all of the teams drawing "A" boats race together.
Heats 1B and 1A constitute “Race 1.”
b)
The top five teams from heats
1B and 1A race together in heat 2A, and the remaining teams race together in
heat 2B. Heat 2B is run before heat 2A. The Beach Captain or the Event
Chairman makes boat assignments for each team.
c)
Heat 2B is scored with each
team’s score increased by ten (10) points. Heat 2A is scored. This
constitutes “Race 2”.
d)
After heat 2A, the bottom
three teams from heat 2A will race in heat 3B, and the top three teams from
heat 2B will race in heat 3A.
e)
After each subsequent A heat,
the process described in 7.2.c and 7.2.d is repeated
f)
At the conclusion of the
event, if a matching A division heat is not completed, the B division heat
shall be abandoned.
7.3 At the National Championship, weather
conditions, the need to protect boats and equipment or the need to expedite
completion of the event may require other procedures. Any such special
procedures are at the discretion of the Organizing Authority.
8 Practice Sailing
Host club for the National Championship may
have boats available for practice sailing the day before racing begins.
9 Entry Forms and Fees
9.1 The Area Multihull Representative and
the Host Organization shall agree mutually upon the entry fee for the Area
Elimination. The entry fee for the qualifying team going to the National
Championship may be paid out of the proceeds.
9.2 The following items from the Area
Elimination events should be submitted to the individual on the address
below.
·
Raw results (individual races
and overall).
·
Complete first and last names
of all participants.
·
A list of any new or renewing
US SAILING member participants.
·
Entry Forms for the top three
teams.
Mail, fax, or e-mail to the U.S. Multihull
Championship Committee Chair: Jake Kohl
303 Rockmont Rd.
Greenville, SC 29615
864-444-9134
jake@teamseacats.com
9.3 The entry fee for the National
Championship is noted in the U.S. Multihull Championship Notice of Race.
9.4 It is the responsibility of each
US SAILING Multihull Area Representative to make sure that valid results of
the Area Elimination event are provided to the National Chair. Failure to
conduct Area Eliminations in accordance with US SAILING requirements may
result in a qualifying team being disqualified from the National
Championship.
10 Portsmouth Handicap Results
Each Area Representative must ensure that a
complete copy of the race results for their Area Elimination is also
forwarded to:
Darline Hobock
5373 E. 27th Street Tulsa, OK
74114-4907
(918) 744-8803 (918) 744-9760 Fax
e-mail: hobockd@aol.com
11 Power Line Hazards
US SAILING Regulations require that US
SAILING Championships at all levels be held at sites free of power line
hazards. Written compliance is required to be filed with the Championship
Coordinator at US SAILING.
12 Protest Committee (Authority and
Selection)
12.1 At the Area Eliminations event level
and up, it is required that at least one judge be US SAILING certified, to
meet US SAILING Championship requirements unless the Championship Committee
officially allows an exception in writing.
12.2 The Protest Committee shall be
appointed in the following manner:
a)
For the Area Eliminations,
the Area Representative, in conjunction with the host club, shall be
responsible for appointing the Protest Committee.
b)
For the National
Championship, the U.S. Multihull Championship Chair shall appoint the
Protest Committee.
13 Race Committee
The club or association conducting the
event will appoint the race committee at all levels of the ladder. US
SAILING Championship Conditions require that a US SAILING Certified Race
Officer act as the PRO for all events. Levels of certification vary
according to the level of the ladder event. Details on Race Official
Requirements are available from the Championships Management web page at
http://www.ussailing.org/Championships/championshipmanagement.
14 The host club should familiarize all
competitors with the waters in which the races are to be held with emphasis
on obstructions, tidal conditions and probable location of marks.
Rev 1/6/08
|
