|
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).
|
