2014 Australian Hobie Cat® Nationals

1. RULES

1.1

The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the current Racing Rules of Sailing.

1.2

Yachting Australia Special Regulations, Part 2, Off The Beach Boats will apply.

1.3

The Class Rules of the International Hobie Class Association (IHCA) will apply.

1.4

Racing rule 40 will be changed as follows:

a)

Competitors shall wear personal flotation devices whilst afloat, except briefly while changing or adjusting clothing or personal equipment. Wet suits and dry suits are not personal flotation devices. Changes RRS Rule 40.

1.5

Under rule 87, IHCA General Rule 17.8 b), IHCA Hobie 16 Rules 7.2 and 7.3 are changed as follows:

a)

a) The helmsperson for Master series shall be 45 years or older at the commencement of the event. (Changes IHCA Rule 17.8 a.).

b)

b) The helmsperson for Grand Master series shall be 55 years or older at the commencement of the event. The age of crew members in Grand Master series is open. (Changes IHCA Rule 17.8 b).

c)

The minimum combined women's crew weight for women's class racing events shall be 285 lbs (129.3 kg). Changes IHCA Hobie 16 Rule 7.2.

d)

For the purpose of Youth Events, the minimum weight shall be 285 lbs (129.3 kg). Changes IHCA Hobie 16 Rule 7.3.

2. ADVERTISING

2.1

Advertising will be as defined by ISAF Regulation 20.

2.2

Boats shall be provided with, and required to display and maintain Hogs Breath stickers on port and starboard hulls, in a location acceptable to the organizing authority.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

3.1

The regatta is open to boats of the International Hobie Cat classes.

3.2

Competitors shall be current members of a National or State fleet which is a financial member with the IHCA and is affiliated with a member yachting authority or State Yachting Authority.

3.3

Competitors shall be members of a yacht or sailing club affiliated with Yachting Australia or ISAF.

3.4

The Hobie 16 Championships will be conducted without spinnakers.

3.5

A minimum of 5 entries is required to form a class. If sufficient entries for a class are not received by 5th December 2014, the Organising Authority reserves the right to cancel racing.

3.6

Eligible boats may enter online at www.hobiecatnationals.com.au by 5th December 2014. Late entries will be accepted at the venue from December 30th 2014.

4. FEES

4.1

Required regestration fees are in $AUS as follows:

Class

Online entry

Late entry

2 Person

$280

$320

1 Person

$200

$240

Youth

$220

$260

Regestration fees include T-shirt and tickets to presentation dinner

5. SCHEDULE

5.1

Late Registration and Weigh-in:

Tuesday

30th December 2014

1200 to 1700

Wednesday

31st December 2014

0800 to 0900

5.2

Briefing:

Wednesday

31st December 2014

0930

5.3

Dates of racing:

Day

Date

All Classes

Wednesday

31st December 2014

racing (no start before 1100)

Thursday

1st January 2015

spare day

Friday

2nd January 2015

racing (no start before 1000)

Saturday

3rd January 2015

racing (no start before 1000)

Sunday

4th January 2015

racing (no start before 1000 or after 1600)

5.4

Number of races:

Class

Number

Races per session

All Classes

up to 16

up to 4

5.1

Presentation of Trophies
The presentation night will be held at Koombana Bay Sailing Club at 1930 Sunday 4th of January 2015.

6. MEASUREMENT

Measurement is not required, but it is the responsibility of each skipper to ensure their boat complies with the IHCA Class Rules. Random measurement and inspection checks may be carried out at any time during the championships.

7. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

The sailing instructions will be available to competitors on completion of registration.

8. VENUE

Attachment A shows the venue and location of the racing area.

Attachment A

9. THE COURSE(S)

The course(s) to be sailed will be as described in the Sailing Instructions.

10. PENALTY SYSTEM

For all Hobie classes rule 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty.

11. SCORING

11.1

One race is required to be completed to constitute a series.

11.2

a)

When fewer than four races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores.

b)

When from four to eleven races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

c)

When twelve or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst scores.

12. SAFETY

12.1

All competitors shall wear personal flotation devices whilst afloat which are in good condition and are in accordance with the specifications issued or approved by a national authority affiliated to the International Sailing Federation, or a standards organisation, or certification authority. Attention is drawn to Fundamental Rule 1.2

12.2

The Port of Bunbury is a working port, and races maybe scheduled around arriving or departing shipping movements. At all times ships transiting the port channel will have absolute right of way over any competing boat.

13. SUPPORT BOATS

Team Managers, Coaches and other support personnel shall keep 100m clear of the course area after the warning signal, except in boats provided by the organising authority or when asked to assist by the Race Committee.

14. BERTHING

Boats and trailers shall be kept in the areas assigned by KBSC while off the water.

15. RADIO COMMUNICATION

Except in an emergency, a boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones.

16. PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded to the following classes depending on the number of entrants: -

Hobie 16 Open
Hobie 16 Youth
Hobie 16 Women
Hobie 16 Masters
Hobie 16 Grandmasters
Hobie 17
Hobie 18
Hobie Tiger / Wildcat

Additional prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the Organising Committee.

17. RIGHTS TO USE NAME AND LIKENESS

In participating in an event, a competitor automatically grants the Organising Authority and the sponsors of the event, the right in perpetuity, to make, use and show, from time to time and at their discretion, any motion pictures, still pictures and live, taped or film television and other reproductions of him/her during the period of the competition for the said event in which the competitor participates and in all material related to the said event without compensation.

18. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

19. INSURANCE

19.1

All boats competing shall have third party insurance cover of not less than AUD$5,000,000 or equivalent thereof in any other currency for any accident.

19.2

All owners/competitors who sign the Entry Form are deemed to have made a declaration that they hold such cover. Competitors may be required to produce evidence of such insurance and any competitor not holding this cover shall withdraw their entry. Adequate race insurance is also recommended for this event.

20. AMENDMENTS

Any amendments to this Notice of Race will be posted on the event web site at: www.hobiecatnationals.com.au

21 ACCOMMODATION

Camping, hotel and apartment accommodation is available within walking distance to the venue

22. NOTICE OF AGM MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Australian Hobie Class Association will be held at 1800 3rd January, 2014.

23. FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact the organisers via the website www.hobiecatnationals.com.au

2014 Australian Hobie Cat® Nationals

31st December to 4th January

Koombana Bay Sailing Club - Bunbury, Western Australia

2014 AUS Hobie Nationals

31st December to 4th January

Koombana Bay SC - Bunbury, WA

Notice of Race