International Topper Class Association Ireland

NOTICE OF RACE

TOPPER TRAVELLER SERIES 2008

1. The Series will be sailed on the following dates at the clubs listed below.

18th May Courtown S.C.
22nd June East Antrim B.C. (Larne)
30th August Blessington S.C.
13th Sept. Lough Erin Y.C.
21st Sept. Strangford Lough Y.C.

2. Racing will be governed by the Racing Rules of sailing, the prescriptions of the RYA, the rules of ITCA and the sailing instructions.
3. Registration for each event will close at 10.00am on the morning of the event.
4. Entry fee is £14.00 per event payable at registration £10.00 to host club and £4.00 capitation fee to the Irish Topper Association.
5. Scoring system for each individual event will be as in RRS Appendix A., except that (i) All races shall count. (ii) Sailors who do not attend a traveller(DNC) will score 50 points or the number of boats + 5 which ever is greater for each of the races the sailor did not sail.
At each event, provided a single race is completed, the competitors overall position will be their score for that event.
3 Races are planned for each event.
A minimum of 3 events shall be sailed to constitute a series.
For the purpose of scoring the series, placings will be calculated on an individual race basis.

NOTE:- race penilties (ie DSQ,OCS,DNF.Etc) will be scored on each race as per the number of sailors,this score will count towords the series.

SERIES DISCARDS:

Discards will be awarded as follows: 9 races or less = No discards
10 races = 1 discard
11 races = 2 discards
12 races = 2 discards
13 races = 3 discards
14 races = 3 discards
15 races = 3 discards

6. The schedule time of first warning signal each day is 11.25am.
7. Prizes will be awarded as follows: Overall first to third, Under 16yrs: first to third, Under 14yrs first to third, Under 12yrs first to third, Lady: first overall. First to third prizes may be awarded for the 4.2M depending on numbers (ratio 1:4)
No sailor may win more than one prize.(the 1st lady prize is exempt from this rule and will be awarded to the first lady reardless of her position in the fleet, please discuss this with the committee if you are unclear on any of these issues). Other prizes may be awarded.
8. There shall be 3 categories depending on age as at 01.01.08, i.e. Under 12yrs 14yrs 16yrs
9. Sailing instructions shall be available at Registration and may be on the Irish Topper Web site or host club's site.
10. Competitors are advised to bring their own lunch in a sealed package marked with their name and sail number.
11. The COURSES to be sailed will be described in the standard sailing instructions and will be announced at the briefing.
12. A sailor’s BRIEFING will be held on the morning of each event at 10.15am.
13. A sailor’s best three overall events will form part of the Irish Topper Association’s rankings.

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Topper Event Sailing Instructions

1. Rules

1.1. The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2. The prescriptions of the RYA / ISA 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 of THE ORGANIZING CLUB.

3. Changes to Sailing Instructions

3.1. Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted no later than 10am on the morning of the race.

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. Permission to sail under any other number shall be sought in writing from the Race Committee before going afloat and will be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

5. Signals Made Ashore

5.1. Signals made ashore will be displayed at THE ORGANIZING 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 leave the harbour until this signal is made.
5.3. For the Traveller Series events 5.2 above shall not apply

6. Schedule of Races

6.1. Number of races for each event are as follows :
  • Traveller Series event 3 races
  • Area Championships 6 races
  • National Championships 9 races

6.2. There may be four or more races on each day, at the area championships & Nationals,if weather conditions deem it necessary.
6.3. The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race each day will normally be 11:25 on Saturday and 10:25 on Sunday, at the area championships. These times are subject to the weather/ tidal conditions and all conpeditors should check this in advance.
6.4. On the last day of the regatta no warning signal will be made after 15:00.

7. Class Flags

7.1. The class flag will be Flag T.
7.2. 4.2 M sail - class flag will be Answering pennant numeral 6

8. Racing Areas

8.1. On water close to THE ORGANIZING CLUB.

9. The Courses

9.1. The diagrams in Attachment A show the courses, including the approximate angles between legs, the order in which marks are to be passed, and the side on which each mark is to be left.
9.2. The course to be sailed for each race will be indicated by the flying of the appropriate flag prior to the warning signal.
9.3. A long sound signal will be made when the flag is initially displayed, or if the course type is changed.

10. Marks

10.1. Marks used will be at the discretion of THE ORGANIZING CLUB and detailed at the official briefing.

11. The Start

11.1. Races will be started by using rule 26.
11.2. The starting line will be between the main mast of the committee vessel and an outer limit mark. An inner limit mark may be laid approximately on the line and, if so, boats passing between this mark and the Committee Boat after the first warning signal will be disqualified without a hearing, changing ruling 63.1 and Appendix A5.
11.3. A boat starting later than 5 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start. This changes rule A4.1

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 signaled 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 signaling 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 signaling 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

14.1. The time limit will be 60 minutes from starting signal.
14.2. Boats failing to finish within 20 minutes after the first boat sails the course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish. This changes rules 35 and A4.

15. Protests and Requests for Redress

15.1. Protesting boats shall, immediately after finishing, inform the Race Committee on the Committee Boat at the finish of the sail number(s) of any boat(s) against which she intends to protest.
15.2. Protest forms are available at the race office. Protests shall be delivered there within the protest time limit.
15.3. 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.
15.4. Notices will be posted within 5 minutes of the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses.
15.5. Notices of protests by the race committee or protest committee will be posted to inform boats under rule 61.1(b).
15.6. On the last day of the regatta 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.

16. Scoring

16.1. Low point scoring system of Appendix A will apply, except that for a traveller event (i) as defined in section5, (ii) no score shall be excluded .
16.2. Three races are required to be completed to constitute an area chanmionship or national championship. (1 race for a Traveller event).

17. Safety Regulations

17.1. When a safety talley system is in operation it will be explained at the official briefing. Boats failing to return their tags within the protest time limit may be disqualification from the day's racing. This amends rule 63.1 and A5.
17.2. A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as possible.
17.3. All crew shall wear adequate personal buoyancy at all times while on the water. This amends RRS 40.

18. Equipment and Measurement Checks

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

19. Support Boats

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

20. Prizes

20.1. Prizes will be awarded as follows: Overall:first to third, Under 16yrs: first to third, Under 14yrs: first to third, Under 12yrs: first to third, Lady: first overall.
No sailor may win more than one prize other than the prize for first lady. Other prizes may be awarded.
20.2. There shall be 3 categories depending on age as at 01.01.08, i.e. Under 12yrs 14yrs 16yrs

21. Disclaimer of Liability and Insurance

21.1. A boat is entirely responsible for her own safety, whether afloat or ashore, and nothing, whether in the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions or anywhere else, reduces this responsibility.
21.2. It is for the boat to decide whether she is fit to sail in the conditions in which she will find herself. By launching or going to sea, the boat confirms that she is fit for those conditions and her crew is competent to sail and compete in them.
21.3. The boat is required to hold adequate insurance and in particular to hold insurance against third party claims in the sum of at least £2m sterling.
21.4. Nothing done by the organizers can reduce the responsibility of the boat nor will it make the organizers responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, however it may have occurred, as a result of the boat taking part in racing. The organizers encompass everyone helping to run the race and the event, and include the organizing authority, the race committee, the race officer, patrol boats and beach masters.
21.5. The provision of patrol boats does not relieve the boat of her responsibilities.

22. 4.2 Sail

22.1. Sailors can compete at all Irish Topper events in 2008 using the new 4.2 sq.m. sail.
22.2. They will have the same start but will use answering pennant numeral 6 as their class flag. The 4.2 sq.m. course will be shorter and this will be explained at the briefing.
22.3. Scoring/Prizes - they will have separate scoring and prizes. First to third may be awarded for the 4.2 sailor depending on the number sailing i.e. 1:4 ratio.
22.4. Sailors using a 4.2 sq.m. rig in an event, or who change rig sizes between events will not be legable for a Topper ranking or place in the "Traveller series", for those events where they used the 4.2 sq M rig.
22.5. 4.2 sq.m. sails can only be used if they are supplied by Topper International and stamped ‘Race Approved Sail’.
22.6. Competitors must declare at registration if they intend to use a 4.2 sail for the event, and are reminded that competitors may use ONE sail during the event.
22.7. In the event of damage where it is not feasible to repair, the competitor MUST obtain written permission from the Race Officer before he/she may use a replacement sail. 22.8. Clause 22.7 does not permit the sailor to change rig sizes as a replacement. ======================================================================================== ========================================================================================

The Irish Topper Ranking system - Is calculated as follows:

(Irish National result Multiplied by 3) + (Best two Provincials x 2.0) + (Best 3 Traveller events ) = Ranking points. Lowest points ranks 1st etc. ========================================================================================= =========================================================================================

Representing the Class at the Junior Helmsman Championships and other invitation events -

Sailors shall be chosen to represent the Topper class on the ranking results. If all the Traveller events have not been run, then the following rule applies to the ranking method above: 5 Travellers = best 3. 4 Travellers = best 2. 3 Travellers = best 2. ==========================================================================================

Attachment A