TERMS AND CONDITIONS

      1.       CONDITIONS AND SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

1.1.    These Conditions, the Sailing Instructions (SI) and Notice of Race (NOR) for the current year shall apply. The SI’s and NOR shall be created from the ISAF templates found on the web at http://www.sailing.org. Any departure from these Conditions shall be approved by the U.S. Women’s Match Race Championship Chairman after consulting with the U.S. Women’s Match Race Championship Committee (hereafter, the Committee).

1.2.    The U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship Notice of Race, Formal Request for Invitation, and Conditions will be posted on the US SAILING web page. These and the Sailing Instructions will be provided to event coordinators and Committee members by US SAILING. The host club should provide additional instruction as may be appropriate.

2.       PURPOSE AND SELECTION PROCESS

2.1.    The purpose of this event is to select the U. S. Women's Match Racing Champion.

2.2.    The selection process shall be by Invitation.

2.3.    The invitation shall be to the skipper.

2.4.    Criteria for selection shall be determined by the Chairman of the U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship (USWMRC) and the Committee, and announced in the Notice of Race.

2.5.    The number of entries invited will be determined by the Chairman of the USWMRC in consultation with the Committee and will be published in the Notice of Race.

2.6.    In the event an invitee declines an invitation, or having accepted later declines, the USWMRC Chairman in consultation with the Committee may issue an invitation to the skipper who is highest on the wait list as determined by the Committee.

3.      ALTERNATES AND SUBSTITUTES

3.1.    The names and the US SAILING membership numbers of all crew members must be provided to the Chairman of the USWMRC prior to the event.

3.2.    The skipper shall be the helmsman at all times.

3.3.    With the permission of the jury, a designated alternate may replace any member of a team aboard before any race of a given match, but only in the event of an emergency affecting a regular team member. If a team does not bring a designated alternate to a series, the jury may allow a substitute alternate in the event of an emergency.

4.       WEIGHT

4.1.    RRS 43 will apply. In addition, clothes worn for additional warmth must be worn inside foul weather gear.

4.2.    Competitors will be weighed in accordance with the Notice of Race.

5.       BOATS  

5.1.    Boats may not be modified except as stated in the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions.

6.      EQUIPMENT

6.1.    Mandatory Use of PFDs - US SAILING Regulation 5.02 requires that all competitors in US SAILING Championships at all levels, shall wear, while on the water, a U.S. Coast Guard (or Canadian) approved PFD, except where the ORC regulations apply. Competitors in the U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship must have a whistle attached to their PFD.

6.2.    Optional equipment items - Compass, flags, sponge, bailer, bucket, normally equipped ditty bag, personal effects.

6.3.    The use of electronic and/or battery powered devices is prohibited, unless otherwise indicated in the SI’s.

7.       LIABILITY AND DAMAGE

7.1.    The Borrowed Boat Insurance Program provides protection ONLY to those owners who lend boats. This insurance does not relieve competitors from liability in the event a competitor causes injury to other persons or property. (Personal liability insurance is available from US SAILING.) US SAILING recommends that competitors, or where minors are involved, their parents or guardians, consult their own insurance carrier regarding possible personal liability.

7.2.    Any damage, no matter how slight, or loss of equipment must be reported to the Organizing Authority at the completion of the race in which it occurs. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the race or the event (at the discretion of the jury).

7.3.    Responsibility for damage to boats or other property will be determined by the jury and all crews entering will be bound thereby.

8.      CONDUCT OF SERIES - SYSTEMS, PAIRINGS, SCORING, TIES, CONCESSION

8.1.    Each event consists of matches between pairs of teams using one or more of the following systems:

8.2.    System A: Double Round-Robin – Each team races each other team in the event twice, exchanging boats and starting positions in the second round. One round should be completed first, followed immediately by the second round-robin. In cases where the second round-robin cannot be completed, the series will be scored in accordance with Appendix C.

8.3.    System B: Knock-out – After a single or double round-robin of matches, the top four finishers are placed into a knock-out ladder. The first place finisher selects their competitor in the semi-finals. The other two competitors meet in the other bracket. Semi-finals should be first to win two races and finals first to win three races where time allows.

8.4.    System C: Groups – Especially when there are more competitors than boats, competitors may be divided into groups. Each group will conduct a double or single round-robin, after which competitors will be placed into a knock-out ladder or into championship and consolation groups, which then may hold further round-robin(s) to determine the champion. The chairman for the event, after consulting with the chief umpire, will determine the number of rounds and the system to be used to complete the regatta within the time available for the event.

8.5.    Pairings: The U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship’s Chairman for the event will determine  the method of establishing pairings of competitors. The jury may reassign pairings during an event if it is determined that the system chosen cannot be run to its full conclusion within the time available to complete the event.

8.6.    Should wind, weather or other conditions make it impossible to complete the normal number of races within the time schedule, the event shall be terminated and the results based on the number of races completed. The jury shall determine such termination and decisions regarding results when not resolved by Appendix C.

9.       PRACTICE SAILING

9.1.    Boats may be available for practice sailing only as described in the Notice of Race.

10.   BOAT EQUALITY

10.1.The object of the U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship is to determine the best team under a variety of racing conditions. Any measurable difference in the inherent speed of the two boats used in any given match gives a great advantage to the team that sails the better boat in the most races. Unless the jury otherwise prescribes, equalization of boats shall be carried out as follows:

10.2.The boats will be equalized by the Organizing Authority prior to racing and paired accordingly. The day before racing begins, teams may be assigned to assist in fine tuning (prior to any draw).

10.3.Boats will be drawn for the first race.

 

11.   ENTRY FORMS AND FEES

11.1.If a written acceptance to the Letter of Invitation accompanied by the non-refundable entry bond is received by the specified date, the “Request for Invitation Form” (with all updated crew information) may be accepted as the “entry form”.

11.2.Fees shall be as listed in the Notice of Race and the Letter of Invitation. 

11.3.A non-refundable entry bond shall be required

 

12.   USE OF BOATS

12.1.It must be understood that the USWMRC is a test of teamwork and tactical racing skills regardless of the type of boat sailed.

12.2.The host club shall familiarize all competitors with the waters in which the races are to be held with emphasis on obstructions, if any, tidal conditions and probable location of marks.

 

13.   BOAT INSURANCE AND DAMAGE DEPOSITS

13.1.Borrowed Boat Insurance is available through US SAILING's endorsed insurance program managed by Gowrie, Barden & Brett. Details can be found at: http://www.gowrie.com/us-sailing-programs/borrowed-boat.asp. If the host club is enrolled in The Burgee Program (comprehensive yacht club insurance), then borrowed boat insurance is already included in the coverage. Questions: call Gowrie, Barden & Brett, 1-800-262-8911.

13.2.When appropriate a damage deposit will be required from each entry. The amount will be noted in the Notice of Race. The check should be made out to the host club. When damages occur, the costs will be paid from the deposit of the team causing the damage when so noted by the jury. Damages not attributable to a single team will be deducted from all the damage deposits, and the balance returned after pro-rating by the host club. A detailed accounting of expended funds will be supplied to each team that did not receive the full amount back.

13.3.US SAILING does not recommend the use of liability waiver 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 US SAILING Regatta Liability Insurance Program.

 

14.   POWERLINE HAZARDS

14.1.US SAILING Regulation 5.05 requires that US SAILING championships at all levels be held at sites free of power line hazards in any area.

 

 15.   JURY (AUTHORITY & SELECTION)

15.1.Umpiring will be used. It is recommended that at least 50% of the umpires hold US SAILING or International Umpire Certification.

15.2.The Chief Umpire shall be appointed by the USWMRC Chairman in consultation with the Committee .

15.3.The Umpires shall be appointed by the USWMRC Chairman after consulting with the Chief Umpire who will have selected the umpires in accordance with 1.1 and 15.1.

15.4.The umpires will also constitute a jury that shall determine all matters not covered by these Conditions and the Sailing Instructions.

 

 16.   RACE COMMITTEE

16.1.The Race Committee will be appointed by the host club. The club shall abide by  the US SAILING Regulations and any recommendations applying to Race Committees and Race Committee personnel at U.S. Championships.

 

 17.   COURSES

17.1.Courses will be windward / leeward courses with roundings to starboard. Two laps are preferred, but one or three laps may be used if conditions require. Courses will be diagrammed in the Sailing Instructions.

 

 18.   COACHING

18.1.Instructors, coaches or other support personnel shall be permitted on the water from the practice race through the end of the last race only in spectator boats provided or approved by the regatta organizing committee.

18.2.Competitors shall not receive advice, instruction or coaching during the race day, which shall begin when the race boats leave the dock or mooring area, and shall end when any protest hearings are completed for that race day and participants have been excused by the jury.

18.3.The Jury may disqualify a competitor who receives instruction, advice or coaching during the race day.

 

 19.  CONTESTANT CONDUCT

19.1.US SAILING Regulation 5.03 - No contestant shall use, either on- or off-the-water, (a) during any US SAILING Championship event: marijuana or any other controlled substance (as defined in 21 U.S. Code 802), the possession of which is unlawful under 21 U.S. Code 841, and/or (b) during any US SAILING Youth or Junior Championship event: alcoholic beverages (distilled spirits, wine and beer, each as defined in chapter 51 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and intended for beverage use).

revised March 2005