Topper Event Sailing Instructions

1 Rules

1.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2009 – 2012.

1.2 The prescriptions of the RYA/ISA, these Sailing Instructions and any amendments thereto will apply.

1.3 The Rules of the International Topper Class Association will apply.

1.4 The organizing authority shall be the club hosting the event.

2 Notices to Competitors

2.1 Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located in the host club.

3 Changes to the Sailing Instructions

3.1 Any change to the Sailing Instructions will be posted no later than one hour before the start of the first race on the morning it will take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 20:00hrs on the day before it will take effect.

4 Sail Numbers

4.1 Except as permitted by this sailing instruction, boats shall use their correct sail numbers, which shall be clearly readable on both sides of the sail. Only one sail shall be used for the event. Permission to change a sail shall be sought in writing from the Race Committee before going afloat.

5 Signals Made Ashore

5.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed on the host club flagpole.

5.2 Flag ‘D’ with a sound signal means ‘The warning signal will be made not less than 45 minutes after flag ‘D’ is displayed. Boats shall not go afloat until this signal is made.

5.3 For the Traveller Events, 5.2 above shall not apply.

5.4 When flag AP is flown ashore, ‘1 minute’ is replaced with ‘not less than 30 minutes’.

6 Schedule of Races

6.1 Number of races scheduled for each event is as follows:
(i)Traveller Event - 3 races scheduled
(ii)Provincial Championship - 6 races scheduled
(iii)National Championship - 9 races scheduled

6.2 Up to four races may be sailed on any day at a Provincial or National championship.

6.3 The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race at a Traveller Event, and on the first day of a Provincial or National championships is 11:25. The scheduled time of the Warning Signal for the first race on subsequent days is 10:25.

6.4 When races are run back to back, the Warning Signal for the next race will be given as soon as possible after all boats have been finished.

6.5 On the last day of the regatta no warning signal will be made after 15:00.

7 Class Flags

7.1 The class flag for the Full rig fleet will be Flag T.

7.2 The class flag for ‘4.2’ fleet will be numeral pennant 6.

8 Racing Area and Areas that are Obstructions

8.1 The racing area and areas that are obstructions will be described at the competitors’ briefing.

9 The Courses

9.1 The diagrams in Appendix A show the course for each fleet, including approximate angles between legs, the order in which marks are to be passed, and the side on which each mark is to be left.

10 Marks

10.1 Course Marks and Start/Finish Marks will be described at the competitors’ briefing.

11 The Start

11.1 The starting line will be between the main mast of the committee vessel at the starboard end and a port end mark.

11.2 A boat starting later than 5 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start. This changes rule A4.

11.3 In the event of a general recall, the fleet that has been recalled will be the next start.

11.4 The Warning signal for the ‘4.2’ fleet will ordinarily be made with the Starting Signal for the Full rig fleet, unless a general recall is signaled.

11.5 Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall avoid the starting area during the starting sequence for other races.

12 Change of Course after the start

12.1 To change the positions of the next mark, the race committee will move the original mark (or the finishing line) to a new position. The change will be signalled before the leading boat has begun the leg, although the mark may not yet be in the new position. Any mark to be rounded after rounding the moved mark may be relocated without further signalling to maintain the course configuration.

12.2 Rule 33 is changed so that, instead of displaying a compass bearing, the race committee will display a green flag if the direction is changed to starboard or a red flag if the direction is changed to port.

12.3 Except at a gate, boats shall pass between the race committee boat signalling the change of the course and the nearby mark, leaving the mark to port and the race committee boat to starboard. This changes rule 28.1.

13 The Finish

13.1 The finishing line will be between the main mast of the committee vessel and the finishing mark.

14 Time Limits and Target Times

14.1 For both fleets: the Time limit is 70 minutes; the Mark 1 time limit is 25 minutes; and the Target Time is 45 minutes

14.2 If no boat has passed Mark 1 within the Mark 1 time limit the race will be abandoned. Failure to meet the target time will not be grounds for redress. This changes rule 62.1(a).

14.3 If no boat finishes within 70 minutes, the race shall be abandoned. It may be re-sailed where possible.

14.4 Boats failing to finish within 20 minutes after the first boat sails the course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish without a hearing. This changes rules 35, A4 and A5.

15 Protests and Requests for Redress

15.1 Protest forms are available at the race office. Protests and requests for redress shall be delivered there within the appropriate time limit.

15.2 For each class, the protest time limit is 60 minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day. The same time limit applies to protests by the race committee and protest committee about incidents they observe in the racing area and to requests for redress. This changes rules 61.3 and 62.2.

15.3 Notices will be posted within 15 minutes of the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses.

15.4 Notices of protests by the race committee or protest committee will be posted to inform boats under rule 61.1(b).

15.5 On the last scheduled day of racing a request for reopening a hearing shall be delivered: (a) Within the protest time limit if the party requesting reopening was informed of the decision on the previous day; (b) No later than 30 minutes after the party requesting reopening was informed of the decision on that day. This changes rule 66.

15.6 On the last scheduled day of racing a request for redress based on a protest committee decision shall be delivered no later than 30 minutes after the decision was posted. This changes rule 62.2.

15.7 Breaches of instructions 11.5, 18, 19, 22 will not be grounds for a protest by a boat. This changes rule 60.1(a). Penalties awarded for these breaches maybe less than disqualification if the protest committee so decides. The scoring abbreviation for a discretionary penalty imposed under this instruction will be DPI.

16 Scoring

16.1 Traveller Event - 1 race required to constitute a series.
Provincial Championship - 2 races required to constitute a series.
National Championship - 3 races required to constitute a series.

16.2 The low point scoring system of Appendix A will apply, except that:
(i)Traveller event – all races shall count, no discard.
(ii)Provincial Championship – When 3 or less races are completed all races shall count. When 4 to 6 races are completed there will be one discard.
(iii)National Championship – When 3 or less races are completed all races shall count. When 4 to 7 races are completed there will be one discard. When 8 to 9 races are completed there will be two discards.

17 Equipment and Measurement Checks

17.1 A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules and sailing instructions.

18 Safety Regulations

18.1 If a safety tally system is in operation it will be explained at the competitor briefing. Boats failing to return their tallies within the protest time limit may be disqualified from that day's racing. This amends rule 63.1 and A5.

18.2 A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as possible.

18.3 All crew shall wear adequate personal buoyancy at all times while on the water. This amends Rule 40.

19 Support Boats

19.1 Except for rescue purposes, team leaders, coaches and other support personnel shall stay outside areas where boats are racing from the time of the preparatory signal for the first class to start until all boats have finished or retired or the race committee signals a postponement, general recall or abandonment.

20 Prizes

20.1 Prizes will be awarded as per the Notice of Race, as amended.

21 Disclaimer of Liability

21.1 Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4 (Decision to Race). By signing the entry form, competitors and their parents or guardians confirm they are entirely responsible throughout the event for themselves and their boats on land and on the water.

21.2 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.

22 Insurance

22.1 Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £2,000,000 or equivalent, for the duration of the event.

23 Rubbish Disposal

23.1 Boats shall not put rubbish in the water. Rubbish may be placed aboard support and race committee boats.

Appendix A