Ice SIs

Racing will take place under the current Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), Appendix B (Sailboard Racing Rules), the prescriptions of the RYA, the rules of the local club and these sailing instructions (SI) and appropriate class rules. When there is conflict these SI take precedence.

2.0 CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

2.1.1 RRS 75.1 is hereby modified. Each competitor shall be a member of the UKWA or sign the LWA Guest Member Register.

2.1.2 The race committee may refuse any entry.

2.2.1 Each competitor shall possess third party insurance to a minimum value of £1,000,000. Before commencing to race, Team captains will complete and hand in at the registration desk for each Event an entry form signed by every team member at that Event. Competitors shall be responsible for checking the correctness of their own entry details. By signing the form they agree to be bound by these sailing instructions and the rules incorporated in them.Team captains will also be responsible for collecting the prescribed entry fee for their team and for delivering it to the registration desk.

The safety of the sailboard and her entire management including insurance shall be the sole inescapable responsibility of the owner/competitor racing the sailboard who must ensure that the sailboard and crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of the race. Neither the establishment of these sailing instructions nor the inspection of the sailboard under these conditions in any way limits or reduces the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor for his/her crew, sailboard and the management thereof.

The UKWA, LWA, the host club and sponsors shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the owner/competitor as a result of their taking part in the race or races. Moreover, every owner/competitor warrants the suitability of his/her sailboard for the race or races.

2.4.1 Teams shall comprise no more than five board sailors who shall be bona fide members of the team they are competing for. The scores of all five members will count except that the worst scoring lady or junior in each team will have their score halved.

2.4.2 Entry is by invitation of the LWA.

2.4.3 Clubs may enter more than one team and where clubs have insufficient sailors, clubs are encouraged to combine with another club to form a joint team.

2.4.4 Team members may be promoted or relegated between teams of the same club between events but not between races.

Team members are required to sign on in the Raceboard, Raceboard Unlimited, Aloha, or Formula Windsurfing Class. Team members may change class between events but not between races.

2.4.6 Entry will be limited to a maximum of 25 teams. In the event of an over-subscription, priority will be given in the order of: first teams, second teams, then joint teams and then third or fourth teams.

2.5.1 Equipment used in the 7.5 Raceboard Class shall conform to the current ISAF Raceboard 7.5 Class Rules except that Class Rule 2.3.3 (ISAF Class stickers) shall not apply.. Equipment used in the Aloha Class shall conform to the current International Aloha Class measurement rules and the UK Aloha Class Rules as issued by the RYA. Where there is a conflict the UK Aloha Class Rules take precedence. Sailboards used in the Unlimited Class shall have no daggerboard or shall conform to the 7.5 Raceboard or Aloha Class Rules. There are no sail restrictions in the Unlimited Class. Equipment used in the Formula Windsurfing Class shall conform to the current FW Class Rules except that there is no requirement to register equipment.

2.5.2 Other boards may be used where permission is sought from the LWA before racing commences, and only where the competitor does not possess a suitable board or where the suitable board is damaged beyond use. This dispensation is intended to encourage newcomers to our sport, not to allow racers to use specialist or outdated boards for competitive advantage.

2.5.3 Sailboards may be measured at any time during the event at the discretion of the race committee. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification from the race/races concerned.

3.0 CLASSES AND COMPETITIVE GROUPS

4.1 Competitors shall not change their sail numbers throughout the Series without the permission of the Race Committee.

4.2 National letters need not be carried.

4.3 Officially recognised sails numbers (UKWA, RYA, etc) must be displayed by all competitors. A failure to do so will result in disqualification unless prior dispensation has been received from the Race Committee.

4.4 Should two or more competitors wish to use the same sail number a competitor using a sail number allotted to him by the RYA or the UKWA shall have prior entitlement to the use that number.

4.5 Sail numbers shall be displayed on every sail used. The number on the starboard side shall be positioned clear above the number on the port side.

5.1.1 It shall be the individual responsibility of each competitor to wear adequate personal buoyancy when conditions warrant.

5.1.2 At the absolute discretion of the race officer the wearing of lifejackets may be made compulsory for all competitors. Any such requirement will be announced at the briefing and posted on the official noticeboard. Flag Y will not be displayed.

5.1.3 Attention is drawn to RRS 1.2, which is changed insofar as all competitors who will be under 17 years of age on 31st December 2007 shall wear adequate personal buoyancy at all times when on or near the water in accordance with Rule 40 and the appropriate class rules, except that Flag Y will not be displayed.

5.2.1 Competitors aged under eighteen may enter Events only with the express written authority of their parent of guardian and sail under the direct care control and supervision of their parent whether such parent or guardian is present or not and such parent or guardian shall ensure:

6.1 The official noticeboard will be located in a prominent position at each venue.

6.2 A briefing will be held not less than 30 minutes before the start of the first race. Further briefings may be held if necessary.

6.3 Any additions or changes to these sailing instructions will be posted on the official noticeboard and announced at a competitors' briefing or on the water as communicated to each sailor before the warning signal as per RRS 88.2c.

When any part of the sailboard's hull, crew or equipment enters the triangle formed by the Committee Boat, the outer distance mark and the first mark during the last minute before the starting signal, she shall be disqualified unless she subsequently satisfied the Race Office that thereafter she passed outside, round and to leeward of either the outer distance mark or the Committee Boat.

In this case, should any part of a sailboard's hull, crew, or equipment enter the triangle defined in 6.5.1 between the one minute warning and the starting signals, then that competitor shall be disqualified from the race and any subsequent restarts for that race.

8.3.5 START - Approximately 15 seconds before the starting signal the Pathfinder will pass close to the Starting Mark, close hauled on port tack. She will be followed by the Gate Launch which will keep station close astern of her. The Pathfinder may be preceded by a Guard Launch displaying International Code Flag "U", or such a flag as is announced at the briefing, which will keep station off the starboard bow of the Pathfinder.

8.3.6 STARTING LINE - The starting line for all sailboards except the Pathfinder will be between the Starting Mark and the centre of the stern of the Gate Launch.

8.3.7 OPENING THE LINE - The Pathfinder shall maintain her close hauled course for a minimum of one minute and any further time the Race Officer considers necessary. The Pathfinder may then tack onto starboard, or hold her course as she pleases. After releasing the Pathfinder, the Gate Launch will maintain both her course and speed for a further period of time at the discretion of the Race Officer and then make a sound signal, and then stop. (ie the line is opened at the same speed down its entire length).

8.3.8 CLOSING THE LINE - International Code Flag "G", or whatever flag is announced at the briefing, will be lowered to indicate the closing of the starting line. The time of lowering International Code Flag "G" shall be at the discretion of the Race Officer.

8.3.9 INCORRECT STARTS - A sailboard not having started correctly, which is on the port side of the Gate Launch as she opens the gate or which returns across the starting line from the course side shall retire.

8.3.10 OBSTRUCTION - After the preparatory signal, no sailboard may threaten or impede the unobstructed sailing of the Pathfinder. Any sailboard which interferes with, or passes between, or attempts to pass between the Guard Launch, the Pathfinder, or the Gate Launch, or which causes another sailboard to interfere in any of these ways, shall retire from that race and from any restarts of that race, unless the offending sailboard can subsequently satisfy the Race Committee that her actions were caused either by another sailboard not having a right of way or by some unavoidable circumstance.

8.3.11 STARTING ERROR - In the event of an error in the starting procedure, or for any other valid reason, the Race Officer may make a general recall signal at any time while the gate is open. The first substitute flag will be raised accompanied by two sound signal

8.4 THE SIGNALS FOR STARTING THE RACE SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:

8.5.1 INDIVIDUAL RECALLS- LINE STARTS ONLY

Individual recalls will be made in accordance with RRS 29.3. Code Flag X will be displayed + one sound signal. If possible the Race Officer will hail sail numbers of offending sailors.

8.5.2 GENERAL RECALLS - LINE OR GATE STARTS

When there are a number of unidentified premature starters, or for any other valid reason, the Race Officer may make a General Recall, in accordance with RRS 29.3. The First Substitute flag will be raised + two sound signals.

a) 4 minutes before the new start - First Substitute lowered + one sound signal.

b) 3 minutes before the new start - Class Flag R (RED WITH YELLOW CROSS) is hoisted + one sound signal.

e) START - Class Flag R (RED WITH YELLOW CROSS) is lowered + one sound signal

8.5.4 A sailboard shall not start later than ten minutes after her starting signal - LINE STARTS ONLY.

9.1 The race officer will commence finishing the race at a suitable moment after approximately 30 minutes have elapsed from the start. It is not necessary to wait for the leading competitor to be approaching the line. See 10.2.1 below.

9.2 If after 60 minutes from the start the leading competitor is not on the final leg, the committee boat shall raise international code flag S, make 2 sound signals, and then move backwards down the course finishing any competitors it passes with a sound signal until they arrive at the mark immediately in front of the leader. Here they shall set a finish line and finish all competitors as they pass through the line.

10.1 THE FINISHING LINE

10.1.1 The finishing line shall be between the mast bearing international code flag "S" and the appropriate mark of the course, usually the leeward mark.

10.2 FINISHING PROCEDURE

10.2.1 As the length of a course in this series is determined by time and not distance sailed, all finishes will be treated as if a shortened course. International code flag S will be flown from the finishing mast accompanied by two sound signals to draw competitors' attention to the flag.

All competitors will be finished the first time they properly cross the finishing line after international code flag "S" has been flown as above.

10.2.3 A sound signal will be made as each competitor finishes.

10.2.4 The finishing position will be determined by each competitor's position within the fleet on the lap in which they were finished. Competitors who have completed most laps will receive positions in front of competitors who have completed less numbers of laps.

10.2.5 Competitors who have finished shall not re-cross the finish line during the finish period.

10.2.6 Contravention of 10.2.5 may result in a competitor being disqualified from the race in question.

10.2.7 A competitor who abandons a race after the completion of at least one lap will be accorded a position ahead of competitors who finish after completing a lesser number of laps.

11.1 Where two races are to be sailed without a rest break in between this shall be announced at the briefing.

11.2 No more than two races will normally be sailed back to back.

12.1 PROTEST PROCEDURE

12.1.1 A competitor intending to lodge a protest shall make every effort to advise the race officer as soon as possible after he/she finishes the race and before he/she leaves the race area. Protest forms are available at the race office. A protest form should be completed and handed to the race office as soon as possible but at least within 30 minutes of the end of that race or when races are sailed back to back, the last back to back race.

12.2 TIMES OF HEARINGS

12.2.1 The times of protest hearings will be made known to the parties by the race officer. It is the responsibility of the protester, protestee, and any witnesses to make themselves available at the set time. A competitor may retire before a protest hearing.

13.1 Competitors may be required to sign a declaration within 30 minutes of the end of each race or at the end of the last back to back race where races are sailed back to back. If a declaration is required this will be announced at the briefing. A failure to sign a declaration when required will result in competitors being recorded as disqualified from the race or races concerned.

14.1.1 Each Event will comprise 4 races, 3 to count; if 3 are sailed 2 will count; if 2 are sailed both will count. A minimum of 2 races is required to constitute an event.

14.2.1 In all races the first sailboard in each class shall be awarded 1 point, the second sailboard 2 points, the third sailboard 3 points and so on. DSQ, DNF and retired, count as the number of entrants PLUS one. The lowest score wins. The worst scoring female or junior in each team will have their score halved. All five team members scores to count.

14.3 DISQUALIFICATION - Disqualifications shall count as the number of entrants plus one.

14.3.1 Where a competitor is disqualified after a protest hearing the result of that race shall be counted in the competitor's points total and the next worst result will be discarded, if applicable. All other DSQ results can be discarded if applicable.

14.4 TIEBREAKING

14.4.1 In the event of a tie between individual competitors the best single race placing will determine the result. Should the tie still not be broken the result of the last race will determine the winner.

15.1.1 Prizes will be awarded to a fleet when one race has been completed.

16.0 LOCAL CONDITIONS

16.1 Competitors shall at all times respect the property and premises of the host club and shall adhere to any conditions of temporary membership of the host club or local rules given in the notice of race of the event or posted on the official noticeboard.

16.2 The penalty for any infringement of SI 16.1 will be immediate disqualification from any further participation in the event without any refund of entry fees. Any resulting damage must be paid for.