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1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Sears, Bemis,
Smythe. US SAILING organizes the
United States Junior Sailing Championships which consist of three
championships; triple- or quadruple-handed teams competing for the Sears
Cup and the Judges' Trophy, doublehanded teams for the Bemis Trophy, and
singlehanded for the Smythe Trophy.
1.2 Championship
Levels. Teams are entered by sailing clubs in championships conducted
by the club's Sailing Association recognized by
US SAILING. Each RSA is a member of
one of the ten geographic Areas of US SAILING
and qualifies teams for that Area championship. Each Area qualifies one
team for the Sears Cup, two teams for the Bemis, and two teams for the
Smythe except for Areas HE and HW which will qualify one team each for the
Sears, Bemis and Smythe for the National championships which are run at a
time and venue selected by the Junior Championships Committee.
1.3 Sailing Club
signifies any sailing organization belonging to a SA that is recognized by
US SAILING. It may be a private,
community, philanthropic, youth, or etc. sailing organization. A boat may
not protest a boat or competitor for an alleged breach of ISAF Regulation
19.1.
1.4 Team signifies
all contestants listed on the entry form except the alternate. The skipper
(used for either female or male) shall helm the yacht while racing except
for brief periods. If s/he is unable to continue, see 2.6 A and B below.
1.5 Area
Representative signifies the person that represents an Area to the
US SAILING Junior Championships
Committee. A list of Area Representatives is included with the Notice of
Race.
1.6 Round Robin
signifies a series of races in which each team sails each boat in one
race.
1.7 Regulations.
The above definitions apply to these Conditions, to the Notice of Race,
and to the Championship Sailing Instructions which together regulate the
National and Area levels of the US SAILING
Junior Championships and, except as provided below, are recommended for
use at all other levels.
There shall be no departure from the Conditions, Notice of
Race, or Championship Sailing Instructions without the approval of the
Junior Championships Committee Chair, except as provided below.
1.8 Distribution.
The Notice of Race (including entry form), the Conditions, and the
Championship Sailing Instructions are distributed to SA secretaries, SA
event coordinators and US SAILING
Junior Championships Committee members.
2. ENTRY
AND
ADVANCEMENT
2.1 Eligibility –
Once a competitor enters an elimination event for the purpose
of qualifying for a National Championship, they will not be eligible to
qualify for that Championship in any other quarter or semi-final event for
that year.
All
competitors including alternates must:
A. Have
reached their 13th birthday, but not their 19th
birthday during the calendar year;
B. Be
members of US SAILING to compete at the
Regional Sailing Association level and up; and
C. Be
members of the same Sailing Club (see Condition 1.3)
D. A Competitor may
only sail in the elimination for the Area in which he or she resides in or
regularly competes. Each competitor's Sailing Club shall be located
within the geographical borders of the Area conducting the elimination.
2.2 Absent
AREA Entry
– In the event an entry from an Area, or a letter from the Area
Coordinator committing to an entry, has not been received by the host club
within two weeks of the event, the host chairman shall notify the national
chairman, who shall then award the host area an additional entry to
replace the uncommitted area entry to the finals. In the event that there
is more than one area which does not commit to an entry, in alphabetical
order, the area following the host area, shall be entitled to send an
additional entry to the finals. The area Coordinator shall be responsible
for obtaining the additional entry or waiving same. Any additional entry
shall have competed in the elimination in their respective area and shall
fulfill all entry requirements
2.3 Area
Championship Teams may not be appointed. Helmsmen must continue
through to the Nationals if they qualify (see 2.6B below.) Crews, as they
advance, may be replaced only by substitutes as provided in 2.6B and 2.6D.
The Area Representative, working with the Host Club of the Area
Championship, may provide for as many properly qualified teams as
practical from each Association. All concerned sailing associations must
agree on the chosen plan and the plan must be reported to the Junior
Championships committee Chair, the Area Representative, and be publicized
well in advance to all eligible sailing clubs.
2.4
National Teams are the winners or runners-up (see 2.6B) from
each Area Championship.
2.5 Alternates.
An Alternate may be named, prior to competing, on an entry form for
any level of these Championships. This alternate may not be changed during
the year of competition.
2.6 Substitute.
Once a team is entered at the Association level or above, there may be no
substitution of crew or skipper except as provided below.
A. If a skipper is
unable to continue an event in progress, a crew (excluding alternates or
substitutes) may, with Protest Committee approval, become skipper and be
replaced as crew by the named alternate. If this team wins, it may advance
to the next level with either the original or replacement skipper, as
approved by the completed event Protest Committee.
B. If an
event-winning skipper is unable to continue to the next level, that team
will be ineligible to participate further and that event' runner-up will
become eligible, subject to the same provision. “Skipper” shall mean that
person or persons described in paragraph A above.
C. If a crew is
unable to continue an event in progress, the named alternate may, with
Protest Committee approval, be substituted for one or more races.
D. If an
event-winning crew is unable to continue to the next level, the named
alternate shall be substituted for the rest of the year. A new alternate
shall not be named. If there is no named alternate, any substitute must be
approved in advance in writing by the next-level Protest Committee.
E. In the
named-alternate's absence, or when none has been named, the host club may
provide a substitute crew of approximately the same height and weight as
the crew being substituted for, either between levels of the Championship
or during an event in progress.
2.7 Entry Fees.
The Area Championships entry fee shall be agreed upon by the SAs
concerned. The National entry fee is stated in the Notice of Race and is
retained by the National's host.
2.8 Entry Form
Distribution. The entry forms of the Area Championship winner and
runner-up and the entry fees must be sent to the Host Club Regatta
Chairman. Copies of these entry forms must also be sent to the
Championship Office at US SAILING. Each
skipper is expected to hand-carry one copy to the National.
3. BOATS
AND EQUIPMENT
3.1 Boat
Selection. Boats used in the National Championship of each competition
will depend on local availability and on manufacturer support and will
vary from year to year. The Junior Championships Committee intends to
announce the National's boat selection and size of a Sears Cup team before
November 1 of the year preceding the Nationals. 3.2
3.2 Borrowed
Boats. The boats used at the National and other levels may be borrowed
either from private owners or from manufacturers. It is of the utmost
importance that they be treated with care at all times. The future of
these Championships depends on being able to borrow boats again.
3.3 Shipshape
Inspection. All boats should be inspected after each day's racing and
the teams who put them away scored toward the Shipshape Awards recommended
in the Notice of Race. The boats' put-away condition is often improved and
the scoring is simplified if each team puts the same boat away each day
(usually the boat it will sail in the final race.) Suggested inspection
items, which can be scored on scales of l-to-10 are:
A. Keelboat in the
water: mooring/float tie-up; halyards; mast straightness; tiller lashing;
sheets and lines; cockpit and deck; sails; loose gear; cabin/cuddy; bilge.
B. Dry-sailed
keelboat or dinghy: halyards; sheets and lines; tiller & rudder; sails;
hull clean and rinsed; loose gear; cockpit; air tanks drained and open;
bilge; trailer/float and surroundings.
C. De-riggable
dinghies: hull drained, open, cleaned, rinsed, and inverted if required;
trailer/float area; spar, blade and line stowage; sails; loose gear.
D. Housekeeping and
behavior in private-host homes should be scored.
3.4 Insurance.
Boats used in the National Championship may be covered by a borrowed-boat
insurance program for the owner's protection only. Borrowed boats
at the Area or Association Championship and below may also be covered by
a Borrowed-Boat Insurance Program.
A. The
US
SAILING
Borrowed-Boat Insurance Program is recommended. Application forms are
available from the National host, from SA secretaries, and from
US SAILING. Payment prior to the event
is required.
B. The event
organizer should require a damage deposit, usually equal to the insurance
deductible shown in the Notice of Race, from each team. This is advisable
also for bring your-own-boat round robins. The check should be made
payable to the host club.
C. When damage
occurs, the cost will be paid from the deposit of the team causing the
damage.
D. Damages not
attributable to a team will be prorated against all teams in the same
competition. The remaining balance will be returned by the host club.
E. A detailed
accounting of expended funds will be rendered to each team that did not
receive the full deposit back.
F. Responsibility
for damage to boats or to other property will be determined by the Protest
Committee and all contestants will be bound thereby.
G. A Borrowed-Boat
Insurance Program protects only those owners who lend boats and DOES NOT
RELIEVE A SAILOR OF RESPONSIBILITY in the event s/he does injury to
another person or property. Sailors' parent/guardians should consult their
own insurance carrier regarding possible personal liability. (Personal
liability insurance is available from US
SAILING.)
H. Teams are not
covered by any insurance provided by the host club, and should have or
seek their own coverage for personal goods and liability. At-fault
occurrences to other boats are the responsibility of the skipper.
3.5 Loss/Damage
Reporting. Any damage or loss of equipment, no matter how slight,
must be reported to the Protest Committee at the completion of the race in
which it occurs. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the
race or event, at the discretion of the Protest Committee. The yellow flag
specified in 3.8 a) below must be displayed as soon as any damage or loss
occurs and for the remainder of that race, whether or not breakdown points
will be requested.
3.6 Replacement
Boat. If a boat is disabled and cannot be repaired before the next
race, another boat, with the Protest Committee's approval, may be
substituted and shall continue to be used for the remainder of the event.
The disabled boat's sails shall continue to be used if possible.
3.7 Preparation
and Adjustment. At all levels of these Championships
A. Every effort must
be made to equalize all borrowed boats used in a round-robin before an
event begins.
B. Only one suit of
sails per boat may be used, except for changes approved by the Protest
Committee in the event of sail damage.
C. Teams shall not
in any way adjust standing rigging of any boat in a round robin event
before or during the event except with consent of the Protest Committee
and race committee.
D. Teams shall not
clean the bottoms of wet-sailed boats during an event without Protest
Committee approval.
3.8 Personal
Equipment. At all levels of these Championships:
A. Each skipper in a
round-robin event shall be supplied with a yellow breakdown flag.
B. 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.
The PFD/lifejacket must be worn outside of all clothing, including foul
weather gear, and be properly secured except that a thin shirt may be worn
over the PFD to prevent snagging on lines and equipment.
C. The only gear,
rigging, or equipment teams may take aboard a boat are: compass; flags;
sponge, plastic bucket or bailer, normally equipped ditty bag; personal
effects, including PFD and protective clothing.
D. Neither wet
clothing nor any device may be used to add to a sailor's weight. RRS 43
will apply, with two modifications: Class rules permitting weight jackets
will not apply; clothes worn for additional warmth must be worn inside
spray suits or foul weather gear.
3.9 Association
and Area Boats. The boats used in Association and Area championships
should when possible, be similar to those being used in the Nationals; but
these Championships are not intended to be a one-design class event. They
are a test of seamanship, crew proficiency and tactical racing skills
regardless of the type of boat sailed.
4. RACING
FORMAT
4.1 Calendar.
All levels of these Championships must be completed in the same calendar
year. Area finals should be completed at least two weeks before the
Nationals start.
4.2 Number and
Type of Area Races. Each Area may run their elimination to provide the
most practical and fair event. All concerned sailing associations must
agree on the chosen plan and the plan must be reported to the Junior
Championship Committee Chair and be publicized well in advance to all
eligible sailing clubs.
A. In a round-robin
event, the number of races should equal the number of registered yachts.
If there are less than four teams, a double round- robin should be sailed.
B. If teams at the
Area Event must sail the same boat throughout the event; there should be
no less than three races with a throw out after five races. Breakdown
points shall not be allowed.
4.3 Number and
Type of Races for the Finals.
A. In a round-robin
event, the number of races should equal the number of registered yachts.
B. At the Finals
where Teams must sail the same boats, ten races shall be scheduled. There
shall be one throw out after seven races have been sailed. When
borrowed/chartered boats are used redress may be granted for breakdowns
4.4 Boat
Rotation. The last-race boat assignment should be drawn at random by
teams prior to the start of the event.
A. If there is an
even number of teams, the direct-swap system of exchanging boats between
races (see US SAILING Race Management
Manual) shall be used.
B. For an odd number
of teams, the boat rotation shall be determined by the Protest Committee.
4.5 Other
Procedures. Weather conditions, the need to protect borrowed boats and
equipment or the need to expedite completion of the event may, at any
level of these Championships, require other procedures than those
mentioned above. These might include swapping boats on a day rather than a
race basis. Any such special procedure must be approved by the Protest
Committee.
4.6 Shortened
Event. Should wind, weather or other conditions make it impossible to
complete the scheduled number of races within the publicized time, the
event shall be terminated and the results based on the completed number of
races. Termination and decisions regarding results shall be made by the
Protest Committee.
5. RACE
MANAGEMENT
5.1 Race
Committee. At all levels of these Championships, the race committee
will be appointed by the host organization, however they must conform to
the US Sailing General Policy Memo adopted, September 2003.
5.2 Protest
Committee Selection At each level of these Championships, the Protest
Committee shall be appointed in the following manner:
A. Association: By
the SA;
B. Area: By the Area
Representative in conjunction with the Area SAs or any existing Area
coordinating group;
C. National: By the
Junior Championships Committee Chair.
5.3 Protest
Committee Composition. At Association level and up, at least one judge
should be US SAILING certified.
5.4 Protest
Committee Authority. The Protest Committee is appointed to advise and
assist with the running of the event.
A. One or more
judges shall be present at all races.
B. The Protest
Committee shall determine all matters not covered by these Conditions and
the Sailing Instructions.
5.5 Waiver.
US
SAILING does not
require the use of liability waiver forms. It strongly recommends that
organizing authorities seek local legal advice on the question, and that
they carry adequate insurance coverage such as that provided by the
US SAILING Regatta Liability Insurance
Program.
6. FAMILIARIZATION
6.1 Practice
Sailing. At any level of these Championships, the event boats will be
available for practice sailing only on the day prior to the first race,
and shall not be used immediately prior to racing or during the event for
practice sailing, except as follows:
A. For the benefit of
the race committee and Protest Committee as well as teams, a pre-regatta
practice race should be held
B. The boats will be
available for an official practice race whenever one is scheduled.
C. If a pre-regatta
clinic is scheduled, the boats will be available during its scheduled
hours.
6.2 Local
Knowledge. At any level of these Championships, before beginning an
event, the host club should familiarize all teams with the waters, wind
and seasonal weather conditions in which the races are to be held,
emphasizing obstructions (if any), tidal currents and conditions, and
probable location of marks.
6.3 Clinics.
A one or two-day pre-regatta training clinic, using the boats to be raced,
should be held for each competition at each level of these Championships.
These clinics should have four objectives:
A. Make the racing
fairer by familiarizing all teams as equally as possible with the boats to
be raced -- familiarity with the boat should not be a competitive factor;
B. Familiarize all
teams as equally as possible with the racing venue, weakening any
potential "home-court" advantage as much as possible;
C. Take advantage of
the opportunity to further advance the skills of already-advanced junior
sailors whom elimination regattas have brought together at this event, and
through them the skills of many other junior sailors;
D. Attract Junior
Championships participation, especially at the entry level, by providing
every team a growth and success opportunity independent of regatta
placement.
7.
OUTSIDE CONTACT WITH COMPETITORS
7.1
Except as specifically provided for by Article 8 below,
competitors shall not receive advice, instruction, or any type of outside
assistance (other than provided by the US SAILING committee) including
electronic communication devices while at the sailing venue during the
clinic and racing days. It is the intent of this rule to prohibit contact
between competitors and any person who, in the opinion of the Protest
Committee, is a coach, instructor or advisor during the clinic or during
the race day.
7.2 Outside
contact with competitors is prohibited on clinic and racing days
commencing with the competitor’s arrival at the sailing venue and shall
continue until dismissed by the National Coach on clinic days, or released
by the Protest Committee on racing days.
7.3 Instructors,
coaches, parents, or other contestant support persons shall not go afloat
in the racing area or the waters giving access to it during any practice
or racing day except in spectator boats provided for the purpose and
approved by the Protest Committee. Instructors, coaches, parents, or
spectators may go afloat to watch races or practices in spectator boats as
provided and clearly identified by the
host club. Additional spectator boats must be approved by the regatta
chairman. There can be no contact or support of any kind to the
competitors on the water.
7.4 The
US SAILING provided coaches will follow racing during
the day and offer individual on–the- water and group commentary and advice
each evening. Such commentary and advice is to be given to all competitors
on as equal a basis as possible.
7.5 The host club
shall welcome contestant parents and instructors and provide them
opportunity to see the racing within the above restrictions.
7.6 The Protest
Committee may disqualify a competitor who infringes this prohibition from
all races on the day of the infringement.
8. PRIVATE PERSONAL
AND PROGRAM
COACHES
The fundamental basis for limiting “outside contact” of any
type is to provide as equitable an environment as possible for the
competitors. It is recognized that some competitors will have their
personal or their local program coaches attend the event with them. These
private coaches are restricted to the conditions of Article 7 above unless
all of the following conditions are met:
8.1 Any private
coach wishing to be a part of the event must register with the US SAILING
provided head national coach and agree to work under the direction of the
head national coach and be a member of the coaching team.
8.2 Private
coaches should register online in advance so that the national coach and
the event chairs know they will be attending. A link will be available on
the championship’s homepage. Private coaches are responsible for their
own expenses and housing during the event.
8.3 Unless
specifically approved by the Championship Event Committee Chair, private
coaches are required to hold US SAILING Level 1 certification or its
equivalent from another National Authority. Beginning in 2007, Level 2
certification will be required. A complete list of Level 1 and Level 2
courses can be found at
www.ussailing.org/training/calendar/sb_calendar.asp.
8.4 The private
coach must agree to provide commentary and advice to all competitors on as
equal a basis as possible.
8.5 In order to
ensure on-the-water access any private coach should provide their own boat
and agree to use that boat as directed by the head national coach
including all phases of clinic and event support typically provided by the
coaching team. If the private coach does not provide their own boat
neither organizing authority nor the host club is under any obligation to
provide a boat for the use of the private coach.
8.6 The Protest
Committee in conjunction with the advice and recommendations of the head
national coach can refuse the participation of any private coach at any
time and can have any private coach removed from the event at any time if
it is felt that these conditions are not being met.
9. SPECIAL
CONDITIONS
9.1 Power lines.
Per US SAILING Regulation 5.05, all
levels of these Championships must be held at sites free of overhead power
line hazards in any area. Written compliance must be filed by the host
organization with the appropriate organizing authority (SA, Area, or
National level) and copied to the Championship Manager at
US SAILING.
9.2 Adults serving
the regatta in any official capacity shall honor Regulation 5.03 during
the entire race day on which they are on duty. Additionally, they shall
not drink any alcoholic beverage on or off the water while on duty.
10. DISCIPLINE
10.1 Per US SAILING
Regulation 5.03, no contestant shall use, either on or off the water,
during any US SAILING Junior 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, or alcoholic beverages
(distilled spirits, wine and beer, each as defined in chapter 51 of the
U.S : IRC Code and intended for beverage use). The penalty shall be that
the contestant after a proper hearing, be immediately removed from the
regatta venue and, where practical, sent home."
10.2 All
competitors are expected to maintain the highest level of conduct
throughout the entire event. When the Protest Committee, from its own
observation or a report received from any source believes that a
competitor may have committed a breach of a rule, good manners, or
sportsmanship, or may have brought the sport into disrepute, it may call a
hearing. After a proper hearing the penalty may range from a reprimand to
dismissal from the regatta and additional action may be taken under RRS 69
10.3 Hearings
will be held generally in accordance with the recommendations of Appendix
M5 of the RRS. The officers for hearing a violation will consist of the
Chief Judge, acting as chairman of the hearing, the Protest Committee and
the Junior Championships Committee Chairperson or his or her designee in
the event he or she is not present. The regatta chair shall serve ex
officio as a nonvoting member of the panel and will have an open right to
express his or her views during the course of the hearing process.
Revision Date - May 2006
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