PROCEDURE GUIDE FOR A CONTESTANT MEETING

(Handout of Sailing Instructions prior to start, charts too.)

INTRODUCTIONS: - Regatta Chairman

Sponsoring Organization officials or representatives

Host Club Officers

Judges (if applicable)

Race Committee Personnel

Supporting Committee Chairpersons - (House-Aux.-Etc.)

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS: - Race Committee Chairman
Assume that the contestants are familiar with the rules and outline only those that differ from ISAF, US SAILING, class or local sailing instructions. Any departure from those rules must be noted here and a copy in writing posted on the official bulletin board.

The chairman should also consider reviewing with the contestants the procedure followed when recalling boats over the line at the start.
     Recall will be from _____ end(s) of the line.
     Class recalled will retain position in rotation and be the next           class to start.
     Remind contestants that the one-minute rule will be      enforced.
     Review signals, both audio and visual, that will govern the      start (new procedure) this year and the signals for recall of      individuals and/or the fleet.
     (Display of the signals would prove helpful.)

Describe the Committee Boat and the various patrol craft and marks.

Advise that races will start as scheduled, weather permitting.

Contestants are required to hail and receive acknowledgement from the race committee at the finish line of their intent to protest.

Review with contestant’s local knowledge as it pertains to conditions of tide, currents, weather and safety, etc.

Give time of high and low water. (Post on official bulletin board.) (H_______ L_______).

Advise that scoring will be the Low-Point Scoring System (RRS Appendix A), as changed will apply.

QUESTIONS BY CONTESTANTS - Regatta Chairman & Race Committee Chair.
Questions on information given up to this point only. Conduct a short question and answer session with the contestants with questions directed to the appropriate chairman.

JUDGES - Chief Judge (if applicable)
Judges are encouraged to clarify, if necessary, any statement, which seems to have caused difficulty. Judges should also include any material left out of the foregoing which they feel should be added.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Regatta Chairman
Explain when and how lunch will be handled and give a rundown of the schedule of events for the duration of the regatta.
Include time that boats should leave to arrive in the starting areas in time for the race. __________.
Tows. If used, should be described and the manner of departure described.
If a beach ___________________ is to be used for launching and/or storing, describe, locate (include road map) and give further details as necessary.

WEATHER
Give report on the latest expected weather conditions (available from NOAA National Weather Service) and have a radio available and tuned to receive this information during the races.

TIME
Give countdown on official (race committee) time and encourage contestants to set their watches with the race committee clock.

FURTHER QUESTIONS - Regatta Chairman

TAPE RECORDING
Advise that the entire proceedings have been taped for further reference.

CLOSING REMARKS - Regatta Chairman

TIME POSTED: ______________
DATE: ______________________

_________________________________________
Regatta Chairman

Fifth Edition 033001JCS