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FSC Sail GP Regatta

Race Instructions

9th to 11th August 2024

The organizing authority is FSC (Forest Sailing Club) 

Sailing Instructions 

1.  RULES

The Regatta will be governed by the CURRENT “Rules” as defined in the World Sailing racing rules of sailing (RRS), 2019-2024. 

Rules of the competing class as defined in the notice of race, SA Sailing Requirements for National Championships, Notice of Race, unless specifically amended by these sailing instructions, and any amendments thereof. 

2. ADVERTIZING

In keeping with World Sailing Regulation 20 – Advertising Code, boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the organizing authority. 

3.  NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located in the clubhouse. 

4. CHANGES IN SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Any changes to the SAILING INSTRUCTIONS will be posted on the notice board no later than 09:00 on  the day it will take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races / schedule starting time of  the first race of the day will be posted by 19:00 on the day before it will take effect. 

5. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE and OFFSHORE

Signals made ashore will be displayed on a flagpole located in front of the Bridge. Signals made offshore will be displayed on the running rigging of a bridge committee boat.

6.  SCHEDULE OF RACES

6.1. SCHEDULE:

6.1.1. Friday 9th August (Day 1)

  • 09h00 to 10h30:         Registration at the Bridge
  • 10h45 to 11h00:         First race briefing at the Bridge 
  • 11h30 to 15h30:  A minimum of two and a maximum of three pre-final races will be sailed, with at least two back to back. 

6.1.2. Saturday 10th August (Day 2)

  • 09h45 to 10h00:          First race briefing at the Bridge
  • 10h30 to 13h30:         A minimum of 1 and a maximum of two pre-final races will be sailed
  • 14h00 to 16h00: FYC Sail GP Final Race – The three boats with the lowest total accumulated scores will contest the FSC Sail GP Final Race

6.1.3. Sunday 11th August (Reserve Day)

  • The reserve day will be used to complete the Pre-final series and/or FYC Sail GP Final Race should that not be possible by the end of sailing on Day 2. 
  • The FYC Sail GP Regatta will constitute a minimum of three and a maximum of five pre-final series races. There will be one final race. 
  • Should the completion of the schedule be achieved before the reserve day, or time on the reserve day allow for it, a Monthly Mug Race may be sailed on the reserve day.
  • The prize-giving for the FYC Sail GP Regatta will be scheduled for on the reserve day.

6.1.4. The schedule, or any changes to the schedule, will be posted on the noticeboard at 16h00 the day before (9th and / or 10th August) and prior to the race briefings. 

6.1.5. To alert sailors that the next race will begin shortly, three blasts on the hooter will be sounded from the onshore bridge.

7. RACING AREA 

Racing will take place on the Da Gama Dam. 

8. THE COURSES

These will be displayed at the onshore Bridge, allowing for sufficient time before the race begins. Start lines between the Bridge boat (keelboat) and a start marker buoy may occur a distance from the shore. The potential course setup will follow that as employed in the International Sail GP Series, with local adaptations. The buoys employed will be a combination of the fixed buoys and temporary buoys, the latter of which can be moved at short notice if necessitated.

See Appendix A.

9. THE START

  • Races will be started using RULE 26 with the warning signal given 5 minutes before the starting signal. 
  • The start line will be between either,
    • the mast on the onshore bridge and a marked start line buoy, or,
    • the running rigging on the offshore committee boat (keelboat) and a marked start line buoy.
  • A boat starting later than 4 minutes after her starting signal will be scored DID NOT START.  This changes rule A4. 
  • No boat who has not entered the race will be permitted on the course before the start or during the race. The course is to be kept clear for competitors. Rule 23.1

10.  THE FINISH

The finish line will be between either,

  • the mast on the onshore bridge and a marked start line buoy, or,
  • the running rigging on the offshore committee boat (keelboat) and a marked start line buoy.

11.  PENALTY   SYSTEM

  • A boat that has taken a penalty or retired under rules 31.2 or 44.1 shall complete an acknowledgement form at the Bridge within the protest time limit. 
  • As provided in rule 64.5, the protest committee may, without a hearing, penalize a boat that has broken rule 42. 
  • Rule 44.1 is changed so that a One Turn (360 degree) Penalty will apply. 

12.  TIME LIMIT 

Time limits are as follows:

  • If no boat has passed through the first gate within a pre-determined time limit (notified in advance on the noticeboard and at each race briefing), the race will/may be abandoned. 
  • Boats failing to finish within a pre-determined time limit after the first boat sails the course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish (DNF). This changes rules 35 and A4.1. 

13.  PROTESTS

  • Protests forms are available at the bridge. Protests shall be delivered there within the protest time limit. 
  • The protest time limit is 60 (sixty) minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day.  (3) The same protest time limit applies to all protests by the protest committee and to requests for redress. This changes rules 61.3 and 62.2. 
  • Notices will be posted as soon as possible after the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses. 
  • Hearings will be held in the place stated on the protest notice beginning at the time stated therein.  (6) Notices of protests by the race committee or protest committee will be posted to inform boats under rule 61.1(b) 
  • The list of boats that, under the instruction “Penalty System, rule 67” have acknowledged breaking rule 42 or have been disqualified by the protest committee, will be posted before the protest time limit. 
  • For the purpose of rule 64.3(b) the “authority responsible” is a FSC committee member appointed by the organizing authority. 
  • On the last day of the regatta a request for reopening a hearing shall be delivered:
    • Within the protest time limit if the party requesting reopening was informed of the decision on the previous day; 
    • No later than 30 minutes after the party requesting reopening was informed of the decision on that day.  This changes rule 66. 

14.  SCORING

  • The low point scoring system, RRS A4 will apply (page 45).
  • The regatta will comprise a minimum of three and a maximum of pre-final races and a finals race. 
  • No discards will be allowed. 
  • All competitors will sail in one class, with the appointed handicap system employed for corrected time. 

15. SAFETY   REGULATIONS 

  • A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as possible. 
  • Yachts shall comply with their class buoyancy and safety requirements. 
  • Competitors shall always wear a personal buoyancy aid while afloat in a yacht when so signaled, otherwise personal buoyancy aids must be within easy reach of the crew and preferably within view in the cockpit of the boat. 

16. REPLACEMENT OF CREW OR EQUIPMENT 

  • Substitution of competitors will not be allowed without prior written approval of the race and protest committees. 
  • Each yacht shall race with her correct registration number displayed on her sail, with the sail/s used in the first race and only the scrutinized and certified approved equipment. 
  • Substitution of damaged or lost equipment will not be allowed unless approved by the race committee. Requests in writing for substitution shall be submitted to the race committee at the first reasonable opportunity. Such replacement equipment may be scrutinized for compliance with class rules before such approval is given. 

17. EQUIPMENT AND MEASUREMENT CHECKS 

  • A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules and sailing instructions. 
  • On the water, a boat can be instructed by a race committee measurer to proceed immediately to a designated area for inspection. 

18. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 

A boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones. 

19. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY 

  • Competitors participate in the race entirely at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision to Race. 
  • Neither the Organizing Authority nor its officials or other persons associated with the organization of the event will accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with, or prior to, during, or after the race. 
  • The organizing authority including all persons, organizations and their agents concerned with conduct of the race 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. 

20. INSURANCE 

Each participating boat is encouraged to carry sufficient valid third-party liability insurance to cover any liability arising during the event.

21. CONCLUSION

May everyone competing have fair winds, many lifts, few headers and great results, and conduct themselves with true sportsmanship and fellowship. 

RACE COMMITTEE

July 2024

Appendix A

Possible course