RIO GRANDE YACHT CLUB (RGYC)
Racing Instructions
2012 Races
Revised & Issued 4 January 2012
1. Rules
The races will be governed by the “rules” as currently defined in the United States Sailing Association (USSA) Racing Rules of Sailing.
2. Entries
A sailboat owner who has submitted the RGSC entry form, paid the registration fee, and signed the release from liability shall be eligible to compete.
3. Skippers’ Meeting
A Skippers’ Meeting will be held on the initial day of a scheduled event at a time and location to be published by RGYC. The purpose of the meeting is for competitors to receive instructions (S.I.), pay entry fees, and complete registration.
4. Schedule of Races
4.1 The Race schedule will be published at the beginning of the year on the RGSC Website and in the Foghorn.
4.2 The number of races will be determined by the Race Committee.
5. Race Management
5.1 The first race will be started according to the order of starts stated at the Skipper’s Meeting.
5.2 A boat’s starting sequence will commence with hoisting a fleet designated flag (warning signal) as defined at the Skippers’ Meeting.
5.3 Starts may be conducted out of order in subsequent races.
5.4 Races not sailed on the scheduled day may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Race Committee.
6. Fleets
A fleet consists of three or more boats that register for an event or series. A fleet may consist of one-design boats or boats sailing according to the Dixie Portsmouth Handicap System. Competitors who race according to the DPN may be split into separate fleets based upon a boat’s handicap. Boats may be assigned to a fleet at the Race Committee’s discretion. Examples of fleets may include but not limited to: Etchells, J24, Cat 22, DPN high and low (DPN>91, DPN <99.1).
7. Handicap Systems
The Dixie Portsmouth National Handicapping System shall be utilized for the entire season (spring and fall). Prior to racing, a boat’s Dixie Portsmouth Number (DPN) rating shall be on record with the Race Committee.
8. Yacht Configuration
8.1 The boat owner shall declare if modifications have been done to the boat, so that adjustments to the DPN rating can be made.
8.2 A boat owner shall declare the sail inventory on the registration form.
8.3 The Race Committee reserves the right to call for a measurement of any boat, sails, and inventory.
9. Serving as Committee Boat
All participants are expected to serve as Committee Boat on an equitable basis.
10. Racing Area
The racing area will be as shown on the map of Elephant Butte Lake or according to instructions given at the Skippers’ Meeting.
11. The Courses
11.1 Race configuration charts will be distributed to the racers, which will define the race course.
11.2 Temporary Mark Course (TC) – This course is for races using temporary or inflatable marks.
12. Marks and Obstructions
12.1 Permanent rounding marks will be navigation marks as designated on the RGSC map of Elephant Butte Lake.
12.2 TC, rounding marks will be large, colored inflatable marks.
12.3 The starting and finishing marks will be small buoys, unless the starting or finishing mark is also a mark of the course, in which case the starting or finishing mark may be a permanent navigation mark, a temporary inflatable mark, or a small buoy.
12.4 A combined start/finish line set at mid-course is not considered an obstruction.
13. The Start
13.1 The starting line will be between the staff of the orange flag on the Committee Boat and the starting mark.
13.2 The starting area is the area within 50 yards of the starting line; within this area. Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall keep clear of the line and of all boats whose warning signal has been made.
13.3 Rule 27.1 is modified to read, the Committee Boat shall signal or designate the course with or immediately after the warning signal for a fleet that has not started.
14. Recalls
The Committee Boat will attempt to hail the sail number of each recalled boat. The following will not be grounds for redress:
15. The Finish
The finish line will be between the staff on the orange line flag and a mark.
16. Time Limits
16.1 The time limit for long distance races will be four (4) hours. However, the Race Committee may determine that there will be no time limit on a race-by-race basis.
16.2 For races other than long-distance races, the time limit for each race will be two (2) hours for the first boat in a fleet to sail the course and finish. Boats failing to finish within 45 minutes elapsed time after the first boat in her fleet has sailed the course and finished will be scored DNF.
17. Protests
17.1 A boat intending to protest shall notify the Committee Boat at the finish line of her intention, including the sail number of the boat(s) being protested, and receive oral acknowledgement from the finishing Committee Boat.
17.2 A protest must be filed with the Race Committee within 1 hour after the protestor docks at the end of the day. Protest forms are available from the Race Committee.
17.3 Before any protest hearing is scheduled, a mediator, if available, will review the issues and applicable rules with the parties involved. As a result of mediation, one or more of the parties may retire from the race in acknowledgement of a foul (RAF), or if the mediator and all parties agree, the protest may be withdrawn. If the protest is not resolved, a full protest hearing will be conducted. The mediator will not serve on the protest committee. This modifies Rule 63.1.
18. Scoring
18.1 Each boat will be scored by her sail number
18.2 A boat will be scored in only one fleet during a series, which shall be the fleet the boat initially starts with during the series. A skipper changing boats during a series will be considered a separate entry. An exception to this rule may be granted by the race committee should a competing boat become incapacitated during the course of a series.
18.3 The Low Point scoring system of Appendix A of the rules will be used.
18.4 All penalties will be accessed on the largest number of boats entered in the series at any one race of that series.
(a) DNF=1 + Finishers
(b) DNS=1+Starters
(c) DSQ & RAF cannot be thrown out = 1+ Starters
18.6 A boat entered in a series whose skipper is serving as Committee Boat shall be scored using the average of her other finishes after applicable thowouts that count toward a series.
18.7 One race shall constitute an event. Three or more races shall constitute a series.
18.8 Excluded scores in a series shall be determined as follows:
(a) One race may be thrown out for every 4 races held, DSQ’s or RAF’s may not be thrown out.
19. Prizes
Prizes will be awarded based upon the number of boats registered in the series or regatta.
3 boats: 1 trophy
4-6 boats: 2 trophies
7-8 boats: 3 trophies
9 or more boats: 4 trophies
20. Safety
20.1 All boats shall carry equipment required by the State of New Mexico, including, but not limited to, Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFD) for each person on board, a working VHF radio, a sound device (horn or whistle), an adequate anchor and rode, fire extinguisher, where appropriate, plus any other required class items.
20.2 The wearing of PFDs is mandatory when racing. The Committee Boat will hoist Code Flag Y
20.3 For night racing, competitors shall wear PFDs with whistle and light attached. The boat shall utilize their running lights and carry an operating motor.
20.3 A boat that retires from racing before the end of the race day shall notify the Committee Boat as soon as possible.
20.4 The safety of a boat and her entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole and inescapable responsibility of her owner or entrant racing the boat.
21. Cancellation of Races
21.1 Races may be canceled by the discretion of the Race Committee at any time. It is the total responsibility of the boat Owner/Skipper for the safe operation of his/her boat to race, continue to race, or to retire from a race.
22. Race Committee
The Race Committee is committed to promoting quality racing at and beyond the RGSC level. For the purpose of administering the RGSC racing program and to encourage continuity, the Race Committee shall consist of a chairman and 2 or more active RGSC members. They are responsible for maintaining the sailing instructions, DPN handicaps, all race management equipment, scheduling events, scoring events, assigning Committee Boat duty, and providing trophies.
Racing Instructions
2012 Races
Revised & Issued 4 January 2012
1. Rules
The races will be governed by the “rules” as currently defined in the United States Sailing Association (USSA) Racing Rules of Sailing.
2. Entries
A sailboat owner who has submitted the RGSC entry form, paid the registration fee, and signed the release from liability shall be eligible to compete.
3. Skippers’ Meeting
A Skippers’ Meeting will be held on the initial day of a scheduled event at a time and location to be published by RGYC. The purpose of the meeting is for competitors to receive instructions (S.I.), pay entry fees, and complete registration.
4. Schedule of Races
4.1 The Race schedule will be published at the beginning of the year on the RGSC Website and in the Foghorn.
4.2 The number of races will be determined by the Race Committee.
5. Race Management
5.1 The first race will be started according to the order of starts stated at the Skipper’s Meeting.
5.2 A boat’s starting sequence will commence with hoisting a fleet designated flag (warning signal) as defined at the Skippers’ Meeting.
5.3 Starts may be conducted out of order in subsequent races.
5.4 Races not sailed on the scheduled day may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Race Committee.
6. Fleets
A fleet consists of three or more boats that register for an event or series. A fleet may consist of one-design boats or boats sailing according to the Dixie Portsmouth Handicap System. Competitors who race according to the DPN may be split into separate fleets based upon a boat’s handicap. Boats may be assigned to a fleet at the Race Committee’s discretion. Examples of fleets may include but not limited to: Etchells, J24, Cat 22, DPN high and low (DPN>91, DPN <99.1).
7. Handicap Systems
The Dixie Portsmouth National Handicapping System shall be utilized for the entire season (spring and fall). Prior to racing, a boat’s Dixie Portsmouth Number (DPN) rating shall be on record with the Race Committee.
8. Yacht Configuration
8.1 The boat owner shall declare if modifications have been done to the boat, so that adjustments to the DPN rating can be made.
8.2 A boat owner shall declare the sail inventory on the registration form.
8.3 The Race Committee reserves the right to call for a measurement of any boat, sails, and inventory.
9. Serving as Committee Boat
All participants are expected to serve as Committee Boat on an equitable basis.
10. Racing Area
The racing area will be as shown on the map of Elephant Butte Lake or according to instructions given at the Skippers’ Meeting.
11. The Courses
11.1 Race configuration charts will be distributed to the racers, which will define the race course.
11.2 Temporary Mark Course (TC) – This course is for races using temporary or inflatable marks.
12. Marks and Obstructions
12.1 Permanent rounding marks will be navigation marks as designated on the RGSC map of Elephant Butte Lake.
12.2 TC, rounding marks will be large, colored inflatable marks.
12.3 The starting and finishing marks will be small buoys, unless the starting or finishing mark is also a mark of the course, in which case the starting or finishing mark may be a permanent navigation mark, a temporary inflatable mark, or a small buoy.
12.4 A combined start/finish line set at mid-course is not considered an obstruction.
13. The Start
13.1 The starting line will be between the staff of the orange flag on the Committee Boat and the starting mark.
13.2 The starting area is the area within 50 yards of the starting line; within this area. Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall keep clear of the line and of all boats whose warning signal has been made.
13.3 Rule 27.1 is modified to read, the Committee Boat shall signal or designate the course with or immediately after the warning signal for a fleet that has not started.
14. Recalls
The Committee Boat will attempt to hail the sail number of each recalled boat. The following will not be grounds for redress:
- Failure of a boat to hear the recall;
- Failure of the Committee Boat to hail the recall; or
- A boat’s position in the sequence of hailed sail numbers.
15. The Finish
The finish line will be between the staff on the orange line flag and a mark.
16. Time Limits
16.1 The time limit for long distance races will be four (4) hours. However, the Race Committee may determine that there will be no time limit on a race-by-race basis.
16.2 For races other than long-distance races, the time limit for each race will be two (2) hours for the first boat in a fleet to sail the course and finish. Boats failing to finish within 45 minutes elapsed time after the first boat in her fleet has sailed the course and finished will be scored DNF.
17. Protests
17.1 A boat intending to protest shall notify the Committee Boat at the finish line of her intention, including the sail number of the boat(s) being protested, and receive oral acknowledgement from the finishing Committee Boat.
17.2 A protest must be filed with the Race Committee within 1 hour after the protestor docks at the end of the day. Protest forms are available from the Race Committee.
17.3 Before any protest hearing is scheduled, a mediator, if available, will review the issues and applicable rules with the parties involved. As a result of mediation, one or more of the parties may retire from the race in acknowledgement of a foul (RAF), or if the mediator and all parties agree, the protest may be withdrawn. If the protest is not resolved, a full protest hearing will be conducted. The mediator will not serve on the protest committee. This modifies Rule 63.1.
18. Scoring
18.1 Each boat will be scored by her sail number
18.2 A boat will be scored in only one fleet during a series, which shall be the fleet the boat initially starts with during the series. A skipper changing boats during a series will be considered a separate entry. An exception to this rule may be granted by the race committee should a competing boat become incapacitated during the course of a series.
18.3 The Low Point scoring system of Appendix A of the rules will be used.
18.4 All penalties will be accessed on the largest number of boats entered in the series at any one race of that series.
(a) DNF=1 + Finishers
(b) DNS=1+Starters
(c) DSQ & RAF cannot be thrown out = 1+ Starters
18.6 A boat entered in a series whose skipper is serving as Committee Boat shall be scored using the average of her other finishes after applicable thowouts that count toward a series.
18.7 One race shall constitute an event. Three or more races shall constitute a series.
18.8 Excluded scores in a series shall be determined as follows:
(a) One race may be thrown out for every 4 races held, DSQ’s or RAF’s may not be thrown out.
19. Prizes
Prizes will be awarded based upon the number of boats registered in the series or regatta.
3 boats: 1 trophy
4-6 boats: 2 trophies
7-8 boats: 3 trophies
9 or more boats: 4 trophies
20. Safety
20.1 All boats shall carry equipment required by the State of New Mexico, including, but not limited to, Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFD) for each person on board, a working VHF radio, a sound device (horn or whistle), an adequate anchor and rode, fire extinguisher, where appropriate, plus any other required class items.
20.2 The wearing of PFDs is mandatory when racing. The Committee Boat will hoist Code Flag Y
20.3 For night racing, competitors shall wear PFDs with whistle and light attached. The boat shall utilize their running lights and carry an operating motor.
20.3 A boat that retires from racing before the end of the race day shall notify the Committee Boat as soon as possible.
20.4 The safety of a boat and her entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole and inescapable responsibility of her owner or entrant racing the boat.
21. Cancellation of Races
21.1 Races may be canceled by the discretion of the Race Committee at any time. It is the total responsibility of the boat Owner/Skipper for the safe operation of his/her boat to race, continue to race, or to retire from a race.
22. Race Committee
The Race Committee is committed to promoting quality racing at and beyond the RGSC level. For the purpose of administering the RGSC racing program and to encourage continuity, the Race Committee shall consist of a chairman and 2 or more active RGSC members. They are responsible for maintaining the sailing instructions, DPN handicaps, all race management equipment, scheduling events, scoring events, assigning Committee Boat duty, and providing trophies.