NOTICE OF RACE

Nautilus Merlin Rocket Inland Championships

17th – 18th October 2015

1)Rules

  1. The organising authority is Draycote Water Sailing Club in conjunction with the Merlin Rocket Class Association.
  2. The regatta will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing, the RYA

prescriptions and the rules of the Merlin Rocket Class Association.

  1. Change to Class Rules The Sailing Instructions will be amended as permitted in RRS 87 as follows:

Amend class rule 17(d) to read “Competitor advertising is prohibited as per ISAF regulation 20 except that when stated in the NoR boats should display event supplied competitor advertising on mainsails in the area of mainsail below the bottom batten. The OA for an event with this requirement shall provide advertising as required.

  1. In the event of a conflict between the notice of race and the sailing instructions for the event the sailing instructions shall prevail.

2)Boat Washing

Visitors must sign a clean boat declaration stating: “I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge and understanding, my craft and equipment are clean and free from pollution and non-native invasive species. I understand that my boat and equipment should be washed before returning to my home waters as a matter of good practice.” For people who cannot sign this declaration, a washing down point is provided in the Club Car Park.

3) ADVERTISING

  1. Advertising shall comply with ISAF Regulation 20 and the Merlin Rocket Class Rules.
  2. Boats will be required to display event supplied competitor advertising as per the class rule amendment in NoR 1.3
  3. The area of the mainsail below the bottom batten shall be reserved for advertising by the event sponsor.
  4. Draycote Water S.C. will not require the display of advertising material.

4)ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

  1. The ISAF Sailor Classification Code shall not apply to this event.
  2. Entry is open to all Merlin Rockets with a valid measurement certificate. Helms must be members of their Class Association.
  3. Entry fees will be £35, payable on the day.
  4. If your hull is registered before 1st Jan 2000 (3571 and below) or the Helm is 25 years or under on 1st day of Championship then a reduced entry fee of £20 is payable.

5)SCHEDULE AND RACING FORMAT

  1. Registration will be held at the Draycote Water Race Office from 09.30 on Saturday. Competitor’s briefing will be at 11.00 am Saturday morning in the vicinity of the wet bar.
  2. Race Format – The Championship consists of a maximum of five races. Three back to back races are scheduled for Saturday with the first race warning not before 12.55. Two back to back races are scheduled for Sunday with the first race warning not before 10.55. At the discretion of the Class Representatives and the Principal Race Officer race 4 may be brought forward to Saturday to allow for any inclement weather forecasts. This decision will be announced at the briefing. Races not completed on Saturday may be rescheduled and sailed on Sunday.

6)COURSES

  1. Courses will be a combination of triangles and windward/leeward legs.

7)SAILING INSTRUCTIONS AND SCORING

  1. Sailing Instructions will be available at registration.
  2. DRAFT Sailing Instructions will be available prior to the event on the Draycote WaterSC website.
  3. Two races are required to be completed to constitute a series and there will be one discard when three or more races have been completed.

8)PRIZES

  1. Prizes will be given as follows:

Golden Touch Trophy / Winner of the Inland Championship
South YorkshireSC Trophy / Winner of the 1st Race
Colne Cup / Winner of the 2nd Race
Draycote Water Salver / Winner of the 3rd Race
Datchet Water/Colin Pitts Memorial Trophy / Winner of the 4th Race
Grafham Water Trophy / Winner of the 5th Race
Maritime Plate / 1st Helmsman/Crew related by birth, marriage or civil partnership and sailing in the same boat throughout the Inland Championships
Bald Head Trophy / 1st Helmsman aged 50 or over on the first day of the Inland Championships
Fossil Bowl / 1st Helmsman aged 21 or under on the first day of the Inland Championships
Tinker Trophy / 1st Female competitor sailing in the same boat throughout the series
Cookham Team Trophy / The Club scoring the lowest total points with their best 3 boats sailed by the same 3 helmsmen throughout the Inland Championships
Old Boats Plate / First Boat registered before 1st Jan 2000 (3571 and below)
Blithfield Stick / 1st Boat with both helm and crew being over the age of 60 on the first day of the Inland Championships
Glassware / First 6 boats in the overall classification

9)RISK STATEMENT

Rule 4 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or continue racing is hers alone.”

Sailing is by nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently 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 to themselves, their crew, their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part;

(b)They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their 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 and other officials and volunteers by the event organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;

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

(g)Their boat is adequately insured, with cover of at least £3,000,000 against third party claims:

10)FURTHER INFORMATION

  1. Directions to Draycote Water Sailing Club, details of local accommodation, and other information are available on the Club website -
  2. Entrants and authorised guests are temporary members of Draycote Water Sailing Club during the period of the event and shall comply with Club Rules and Bylaws. Failure to observe these may result in exclusion from the club premises.

September 2013