1. RULES

1.1. Club racing will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), and the prescriptions of the RYA.

1.2. The class rules of the class or classes intending to race will apply, ILCA/ Lasers may use pattern sails and rigs.This changes the ILCA Class Rules.

1.3. Club Racing will be sailed in accordance with the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme with the following prescriptions:

a. Average Lap Racing (ALR)

b. Published Portsmouth Numbers as amended by the Section Committee. Portsmouth Numbers shall not be amended partway through a race series.

2. CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

2.1. Any change to the sailing instructions, including changes to the schedule of races, will be posted 30 minutes before the start of the first race of the day

3. COMMUNICATIONS WITH COMPETITORS

3.1. Notices to competitors will be posted on the club website www.swsc.org.uk .

3.2. While racing, except in an emergency, a boat shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats.

4. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

4.1. Signals made ashore will be displayed at the flagstaff located behind the race control building.

4.2. When a RED flag is displayed ashore the lake is closed and sailing is not permitted. Attention may be drawn to the flag by repeated sound signals. Boats afloat must return to shore as soon as possible.

4.3. When the code 'H' signal is displayed ashore the support boats are unavailable or withdrawn from use and safety cover shall be suspended until the signal is removed. Races not started will be postponed and races in progress will be abandoned. This changes RRS Race Signals.

5. SCHEDULE OF RACES

5.1. The schedule of races shall be stated on the sailing section online calendar at :www.swsc.org.uk

6. FLEET FLAGS

6.1. The fleet flags and fleet definitions are:

6.2. Adult competitors racing a boat eligible for the Junior Fleet may choose to race in the General Fleet.

7. ENTERING A RACE

7.1. Competitors should enter a race by writing their name, allocated short code, boat class, sail number and the fleet they intend to race in on the entry form displayed on the shore notice board by the race hut.

8. COURSES

8.1. The course to be sailed will be displayed on the shore notice board or on the Committee Boat no later than the warning signal.

8.2. Boats shall cross at the start/ finish at the end of each lap.

9. MARKS

9.1. Marks used for racing may include

a. dan buoys fitted with a numbered or lettered flag.

b. a spherical orange buoy with an orange flag; used as the port end starting mark.

c. large orange pillar buoys

9.2. The approximate location of the spherical buoys can be seen at - www.swsc.org.uk/resources/buoy-layout-map. The Race Officer may move buoys to set courses.

9.3. Provided the flag remains in its position on the buoy there shall be no penalty when a boat touches any part of the flag that does not surround the staff of a mark. This amends RRS 31

10. OBSTRUCTIONS

10.1. The racing area is bounded by the following lines, which are designated as continuous obstructions:

a. The straight line connecting the yellow and black dividing-line buoys on the north-eastern side of the racing area.

b. The straight line connecting the white dividing-line buoys on the north-western side of the racing area.

10.2. If the racing area is to be extended this will be made clear when the course is displayed.

10.3. Safety Boats in attendance or providing assistance to competitors capsized shall be considered an obstruction.

11. LIMITATIONS OF WEATHER & SAFETY

11.1. Races shall not start, or races in progress shall be abandoned when:

a. The wind speed exceeds 27 knots averaged over a 5-minute period, or the Race Officer determines that wind gusts or deteriorating conditions make sailing unsafe. b. In conditions below 5°C, the Race Officer or Officer of the Day determines it necessary, having considered the effect on the race crew, support boat crews, or any competitor.

c. There are insufficient fully manned support boats available. A minimum of one support boat afloat with two crew members is required to run a race.

11.2. Competitors shall be held ashore, or races abandoned and competitors sent ashore, when lightning can be seen from the lake, club grounds or buildings.

12. THE START

12.1. The starting line shall be:

a. from the orange pole on the committee boat at the starboard end of the line and the port end starting mark.

b. from a mark indicated on the course display board to a pole with a red cross mounted at its top erected ashore.

12.2. The Race Officer intends to make the warning signal for each succeeding class at the starting signal of the preceding class.

12.3. If no boats for a scheduled fleet are present, the Race Officer may omit that start. The starting order for the remaining fleets shall be advanced accordingly. Competitors are advised to watch for their Fleet Flag.

12.4. To alert competitors that the sequence is beginning, a series of short sound signals may be made approximately one minute before the first Warning Signal.

13. THE FINISH

13.1. The finish line shall be the same as the start line.

13.2. The Race Officer will display Flag S with two sound signals to indicate the race is finishing.

13.3. When Flag S is displayed all boats shall finish when they next cross the finishing line.This changes RRS 32 and the Race Officer may score boats based on the number of laps completed (Average Lap Scoring).

14. POST-RACE PENALTIES

14.1. RRS Appendix T applies.

15. TIME LIMITS

15.1. The Race Officer shall not place any time limit on a boat starting correctly and sailing the course until the S Flag (Shorten Course) signal is made.

15.2. Boats failing to finish within 30 minutes after the first boat sails the course and finishes may be scored at the discretion of the Race Officer based on:

a. Their performance in previous laps;

b. Their position on the course when the time-limit is reached.This changes RRS 35, A4 and A5.

16. PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS

16.1. The protest time limit is 30 minutes after the last boat in the fleet has finished or the scheduled time of the warning signal of the next race if this is sooner. The same time limit applies to protests by the Race Officer about incidents they observe in the racing area and to request redress. 16.2. Protests will be heard as soon as possible. If a committee cannot be convened the sailing section committee will consider the matter at their next scheduled meeting.

16.3. The protestor and those protested should ensure that the relevant persons, including witnesses are notified and available at the time and place stated.

17. SCORING

17.1. The race officer may at their discretion, on the advice of the OOD or by written or verbal instructions from the racing/duty coordinator, award an average points score to any competitor that forfeits their entry in a race to undertake a support duty. This changes RRS A4 and A5

a. The score shall be calculated in accordance with RRS A9(a) (average of points in all races in the series).

b. To be eligible, the competitor must have been prepared to enter the race.

c. This award may only be made for a maximum of two races per series.

18. SAFETY REGULATIONS

18.1. All competitors shall at all times comply with verbal instructions given by the Officer of the Day and Safety Boat crews. Any instructions given are solely intended to ensure the safety of a competitor are not "outside help" as defined in RRS 41 and are not subject to protest from another competitor. The competitor may continue to race.

19. EQUIPMENT, CHECKS AND MEASUREMENT

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

19.2. Boats and competitors may carry devices that log data (including video, speed, or position). Any live displayed data shall be obscured, except for time, or unless viewing the data is permitted by Class Rules. This changes Class Rules.

20. OFFICIAL VESSELS

20.1. Official vessels will be identified as follows:

a. Committee Boat: A blue-hulled cabin boat with a white superstructure (marked "N741" on the stern).

21. PRIZES

21.1. It is intended that prizes will be given to First, Second and Third places in a racing series, and other places depending on the number of entries. Prizes may not be awarded to boats if they have not taken part in at least the number of races that is equal to the number being counted for the series.

21.2. Other categories may be decided at the discretion of the Section Racing Committee and subject to the entries received.

22. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

22.1. Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See RRS Rule 4, Decision to Race. 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.

23. RISK STATEMENT

23.1. RRS 3 states: ‘The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue to race is hers alone.’ Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:

a. They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;

b. They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;

c. They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;

d. Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;

e. The provision of a race management team, patrol boats, umpires and other officials and volunteers by the organizer does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;

f. The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances;

24. INSURANCE

24.1. Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £3,000,000 per event or equivalent.

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