LONG BEACH ISLAND YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION
2010 Rules & Regulations for Junior Events
(Revised 06/18/10)
1. Jurisdiction
The LBIYRA Junior Interclub Series and the LBIYRA Championship Race Week shall be sailed under the jurisdiction of the LBIYRA.
2. Rules
The races shall be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions of the U.S. Sailing Association, these LBIYRA Regulations, and any applicable Class rules. Class membership is not required.
3. Venue
A. Weekly Interclubs
The LBIYRA Junior Interclubs shall be sailed on Wednesdays, on a rotating basis, at each of the member clubs: Barnegat Light Y.C., Brant Beach Y.C., Brigantine Y.C., Haven Beach Club, Little Egg Harbor Y.C., Spray Beach Y.C. and Surf City Y.C. The club that hosts the annual LBIYRA Race Week shall not be required to host a “regular” interclub during that season. The final schedule shall be approved by the LBIYRA.
B. LBIYRA Championship Race Week
The LBIYRA Race Week rotates annually between all member clubs, except Brigantine Y.C. Junior events are generally held on a Wednesday in late July or early August, and Senior and Open events are held on a Saturday or Sunday or both following the Wednesday scheduled for Juniors, subject to change depending on host club’s schedule.
4. Classes
The following seven classes are recognized by the LBIYRA for the 2010 season:
Laser 4.7 - Skipper may not be 19 or older during the calendar year.
Laser Radial - Skipper may not be 19 or older during the calendar year.
Sunfish - Skipper may not be 19 or older during the calendar year. Crews are optional and may not be 15 during the calendar year.
C420- Skipper and crew may not be 19 or older during the calendar year.
Optimist Dinghy: In accordance with the USODA Class rules (6.2,a,b), the fleet shall be divided into three groups according to ages of the competitors on the day of the first interclub regatta, as set forth in Article 7 (B) below. The fleet divisions shall be determined as follows:
“White Fleet” - 10 years old or younger.
“Blue Fleet” - 11 or 12 years old.
“Red Fleet” - 13 years old or older and shall not have reached their
16th birthday in the current calendar year.
Full Rig Lasers: May sail and will have an opportunity to win flags during interclub races when 3 or more boats compete, but will not be scored for the team championship. Skipper may not be 19 or older during the calendar year.
5. Entries
A. Eligibility
All participants must be a member of an LBIYRA member club or be enrolled in the junior sailing program of a member club and meet the age requirements set forth above.
For the purposes of season scoring, each skipper must declare at registration of the first race sailed in any class of boat what club they represent. For each class of boat registration the skipper may only represent one yacht club and may not change their yacht club affiliation. This rule pertains to skippers who may be affiliated with more than one club, and for double-handed boats the skipper's affiliation shall determine what yacht club is represented.
B. Weekly Interclubs
Each club may enter an unlimited number of contestants in each class provided they meet the eligibility requirements above.
C. LBIYRA Race Week Eligibility Definitions
Open: Any age may compete.
Senior: Skipper must be at least 19 during the calendar year.
Junior: Meet the age requirements outlined in Paragraph 4.
D. General
The participant’s birth dates are required on registration forms. A list of participants should be posted as soon as possible at each event.
6. Entrance Fee
The entry fee for each interclub regatta shall be $10.00 per sailor. This is intended to cover the cost of providing lunch for all contestants, instructors, Race Committee, and patrol members. All others, such as spectators and parents, may be charged a nominal amount for food. The host club retains these fees.
7. Race Management
A. General
It is the intention of the LBIYRA that the host clubs treat each Weekly Interclub and the LBIYRA Race Week as a “major club regatta” and provide the appropriate Race Committee, patrol boats and shore support as required. It is expected that the member clubs will assist each other in fulfilling these requirements. The Race Committee shall not consist of any sailing instructors except in “emergency” situations. It is the intention of the LBIYRA to keep the participants as informed as possible regarding scoring at each event. LBIYRA will schedule a scorer with a computer/scoring program, post the list of participants as soon as possible, and post the finishes for races as soon as available. In particular, pre- lunch race results should be posted during lunch, where possible. This will provide officials and participants more opportunity to recognize any scoring or registration errors and time to correct them prior to the end of the day
B. Schedule
The 2010 LBIYRA regatta schedule has been established as follows:
July 7 Wednesday BLYC
July 14 Wednesday BYC
July 21 Wednesday SBYC
July 28 Wednesday SCYC (Jr. Race Week)
August 4 Wednesday BBYC
August 7 Saturday SCYC (Senior Race Week)
August 11 Wednesday HBC
August 18 Wednesday LEHYC
The skippers meeting will be held at 9:30 A.M. each day. The start of the first race should be scheduled for as close to 10:00 A.M. as possible. There shall be a maximum of five races per day; however one race will constitute a series. No race shall be started after 3:00 P.M.
C. Starts
Races shall be started in accordance with RRS 26 (“5-4-1-Go”) or Appendix Q (Sound Signal Starting System – 3 Minute “Dinghy Start”). The details of the starting sequence shall be explained at the skippers
meeting. (LBIYRA recommends the starting sequence be identified at each skippers meeting.)
D. Courses
A minimum of two courses shall be required. Laser 4.7s, Laser Radials, Sunfish, and C420s may race together on one course. Optimist Dinghies must sail on a separate course. Additional courses may be utilized as room and resources dictate.
Courses for the Optimist Dinghies shall be Triangular – four (4) legs. It is recommended that the course not be “modified” by placing the start/finish line in the middle of the windward leg.
Courses for the Laser 4.7s, Laser Radials, Sunfish, and C420s may be Triangle-Windward-Leeward, Windward/Leeward, or Triangular and may be “modified” with the start/finish line in the middle of the windward leg.
The length of the courses will depend on the conditions and the feasibility of completing five races for the day. However, getting off good, fair races is more important than the number of races.
E. Alternate Penalty
RRS rules 44.1 and 44.2 shall be in effect for all races.
F. Sail Numbers
All participants are encouraged to register their boats with their respective class associations and display proper sail numbers. As a minimum, however, each sail shall display a number of contrasting colors on each side. Each number shall be at least six inches high and one inch wide. In the case of duplicate numbers, the first to register may use the number; duplications must affix the letter X next to the number. Boats not adhering to these requirements may be scored DNC.
G. Coaching
Coaching by sailing instructors will be permitted and encouraged prior to the preparatory signal for each race. Absolutely no coaching is permitted during a race by either sailing instructors or parents, with the following exception. During weekly interclubs, instructors, after receiving permission from the Race Committee, may coach competitors who are significantly behind. Infractions of this rule will result in disqualification of the illegally coached participant.
H. Designated Finishes
The race committee shall have the right to assign finishing positions, as it deems necessary, in order to facilitate the start of the next race.
8. Safety
A. Life Jackets
Life jackets (USCG Approved) shall be worn at all times by all participants. A boat whose skipper and/or crew do not conform to this requirement will be disqualified. The LBIYRA endorses the U.S. Sailing Association policy that instructors shall wear life jackets properly at all times while on the water.
Instructors/Coaches
must
wear PFD’s. Violation of such will be reported to their respective club and if
there is a repeat offense then at the subsequent interclub the sailors from
that club will not be scored.
B. Postponements/Abandonments
Races postponed or abandoned due to extreme or threatening weather conditions are at the sole discretion of the Race Committee. They should, however, be very conservative in making this decision and carefully consider the sailor’s abilities, as well as the availability of qualified rescue boats. Weekly interclubs shall not be rescheduled.
9. Protests
The intention to protest must be signified by a loud hail of the word “Protest” to the offending boat. Displaying a protest flag is not required but the Race Committee must be notified at the finish line of the intent to file a protest. Protests should be written and filed within 1/2 hour of the Race Committee docking. The LBIYRA Representative for the event shall coordinate the formation of the Protest Committee
10. Scoring
A. General
Low Point Scoring System, RRS Rule A4, will be utilized for all Junior Interclub Series events and LBIYRA Race Week. Optimist fleet scoring will be based on overall scores in accordance with the prescriptions of the USODA. (Appendix A9 does not apply)
B. Junior Interclub Series – Season Scoring
The LBIYRA will recognize both individual and club (team) accomplishments for the season based on the following prescriptions:
1. Individual Scoring
For the purpose of determining the final season standings in each class, the following system will be used:
Each individual will count their four (4) best overall scores from seven possible events: the six (6) weekly Junior Interclub Series events and Race Week (If only six of these races are held, the best four still count, and if only five of these races are held, then the best three finishes will count). DNC scores shall not be counted in season scoring and a sailor must compete in four (or in certain circumstances three) events to qualify for season scoring. These four placements are added to determine the individual’s score for the season. Any ties will be broken in favor of the individual with the most first place placements, then most seconds, etc. The full description and method of breaking ties shall follow RRS A8 Series Ties. For the Optimist Dinghy, overall placements will be utilized, not placements within each fleet (Red, Blue, White).
2. Club Scoring – Class Championship
For the purpose of determining the Club Champion in each class, the following system will be used:
The final season position for the top three (3) finishers (except for Optimist Red Fleet top two finishers) from each club will be added to determine the clubs score for that class. Any ties will be broken in favor of the club with highest individual finisher.
Only competitors scored pursuant to Article 10 (B) 1 above will be scored for the Class Championship. Accordingly, no DNC scores will be included. Any team without at least three finishers per Article 10 (B) 1 (except Optimist Red, which shall require at least two finishers) shall not be eligible for the Class Championship. If no club qualifies in a fleet, then for that fleet no Class Championship will be awarded.
3. Club Scoring – LBIYRA Interclub Championship – “Jack Elfman” Award
For the purposes of determining the overall Interclub Champion for the season, the following system will be used:
Each club’s four (4) best class placements as determined in accordance with Article 10 (B) 2 above will be added to determine the final overall club score. A club must qualify in a minimum of four Class Championships. Any ties will be broken in favor of the club with the most first place class placements, and so on. If a tie still remains it shall stand. If no club meets these qualifications for the “Jack Elfman” Award, then the championship shall not be awarded.
11. Trophies
A. Junior Interclub Series - Weekly
Triangular trophy flags will be awarded to the top five individual finishers in each class. Trophies are provided by the LBIYRA.
B. Junior Interclub Series - Season
1. Trophies will be awarded to the top five individual finishers in each class (skippers and crew).
2. One large rectangular blue flag and the LBIYRA perpetual trophy (dagger boards, paddles, etc.) will be awarded to the club winning each fleet.
3. One large rectangular blue flag and the LBIYRA Perpetual Trophy “Jack Elfman” Award will be awarded to the club winning the overall LBIYRA Interclub Championship.
C. LBIYRA Race Week
1. Small rectangular trophy flags will be awarded to the top five individual finishers in each class.
2. LBIYRA perpetual trophies will be awarded for each class.
3. Perpetual trophies shall be available to the LBIYRA Trophy Committee by July 1st of each year.
D. Colors for Flags Are According To Place
1st - Blue
2nd - Red
3rd - White
4th - Green
5th - Yellow
E. Faye Bennet Award
Faye Bennet felt the LBIYRA was a training ground for good sailing skills and the basis of a life-long love of the sport. In her memory, this award will be given to a LBIYRA junior sailor who has met the following basic criteria, and has achieved significant accomplishments in the sport of sailing over the prior year.
1. The sailor will be a member of a LBIYRA Club and participate in at least one interclub, although he is not required to attend them all.
2. The sailor will have sailed in an event sponsored by U.S. Sailing to honor Faye Bennet’s commitment to the national organization.
3. The sailor should demonstrate enthusiasm for sailing that stretches beyond Long Beach Island.
Sailors can be nominated from each club by their LBIYRA Representative. A committee consisting of at least three LBIYRA Representatives will determine the winner after considering the criteria above.
The sailor receiving the Faye Bennet Award will receive a plaque and his name will be placed on a perpetual wall plaque that will be prominently displayed at Spray Beach Yacht Club.