UK RC Laser Class Association

These Sailing Instructions apply to all events organised by the UK RC LaserAssociation, unless any event specific Sailing Instructions are issued for a major event.

1 RULES

1.1 The regatta will be governed by the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012 (RRS), Appendix E of the RRS, these Sailing Instructions, the RC Laser Class Rules and the Heat Management System (HMS 2007).

1.2 All sailors are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.

1.3 Except for any start or finish marks, a boat’s hull or rigging may touch a mark of the course provided that mark has been rounded correctly as described on the course board.

2 CLASS RULES

2.1 All boats will have to comply to the RC Laser Class Rules - version dated 8 January 2006

2.2 All boats can be subject to checks for compliance to the class rules.

2.3 Sail Identification: The diagram provided by the UK RC Laser Class Association shall replace RRS E6.

2.4 Pending a ruling from OTT, and builder Jon Elmaleh, D rigs and sails, whether factory supplied or produced by John Tushingham, may be used by all skippers for the 2011 season. It is the skipper’s responsibility to ensure the sails are no larger in area than the factory produced sails.

2.5 A tack downhaul ( cunningham) may be fitted to any rig for the 2011 season. It shall be attached to the luff pocket or grommet, and led through a slider on the boom to another slider which controls the tension.

3 NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board(s) located at the race centre or given verbally at the briefing.

4 CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Any change to the Sailing Instructions shall be either posted on the official notice board, given verbally at the briefing, or at a skippers meeting called by the race officer during the event.

5 SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

All signals are made ashore at the race centre.

6 SCHEDULE OF RACES

Race times and any other relevant information shall be specified in the Notice of Race or as notified on the UK RC Laser Class Association website.

7 RACING AREAS

The racing area will be notified to competitors at the competitor’s briefings.

8 THE COURSES

The course will be shown on the course board at the race centre as required by RRS E 3.2. If this is not possible, it will be verbally described by the Race Officer. During a heat, shortening of the course shall be signalled by two sound signals followed by verbal confirmation of the new finish line on the leg before the leading boat approaches the shortened finish.

9 MARKS

See courses.

10 THE START

10.1 Races will be started by using Rule 26, as amended by Rule E3.5.

10.2 The Race Committee will call for the race and heat number followed by a one or two minutes signal and countdown to start. For multi-fleet events sail numbers for the heat to be sailed will be displayed near the launching area. It is the responsibility of all competitors to start in their assigned heat. Failure to do so will result in that boat being scored DNS and will not be grounds for redress.

11 THE FINISH

11.1 See course board.

12 TIME LIMITS

12.1 Boats failing to finish within 5 minutes after the first boat sails the course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish (DNS). This changes Rules 35 and A5.This does not apply to Race 1 where there is no time limit (HMS 2.2).

13 SCORING

13.1 For multi-fleet events the Heat Management System (HMS 2007) shall apply. A copy will be available at the race office.

13.2 There will be 1 discard after race 4, then further discards after races 8, 16, 24 and every eight race thereafter.

13.3 Any ties will be resolved in favour of the boat with the most first places. If the tie still exists, the most second places and so on.

14 DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See Rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority and any other party involved in the organisation of the regatta will not accept any liability whatsoever for loss, material or personal damage (including but not limited or death, injury, consequential damages etc.) sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

17 INSURANCE

Each participating competitor shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £2,000,000 per event or the equivalent.