NOTICE OF RACE

1. RULES
1.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2 The class rules of the International Optimist Dinghy Association will apply.
1.3 The following prescriptions of BSA shall apply:
a) Racing Rules of Sailing PART 4 – Add under preamble: BSA prescribes that Part 4 rule 40 shall also apply to boats sailing to the race course from the launching area and vice-versa.
b) Rule 40 – Add below: BSA prescribes that competitors racing in single-handed dinghies shall wear personal floatation devices at all times while afloat except as provided in rule 40.
1.4 Racing rule 33 will be changed as follows: Legs of the course will not be changed after the preparatory signal. The sailing instructions may also change other racing rules.

2. ADVERTISING
2.1 Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the organizing authority. If this rule is broken, World Sailing Regulation 20.9.2 applies.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
3.1 The regatta is open to all boats of the Optimist class.
3.2 Competitors must be 15 years of age or younger on the first day of racing.
3.3 Competitors must be junior or associate members of the Bahamas Sailing Association or Club member of Club recognized by the BSA.
3.4 Non-Bahamian competitors are eligible as Open Competitors in Championship fleet and Green fleet, and will be eligible for Championship fleet prizes, except the “Geoffrey Holowesko Floating Champion Trophy” which is awarded to Bahamian nationals and residents only.
3.5 Age groups for Championship Fleet: White Fleet - 10 and under (on the first day of racing) Blue Fleet - 11 and 12 (on the first day of racing) Red Fleet - 13, 14, and 15 (on the first day of racing).

4. FEES
Registration is required for all competitors by 6:00pm Friday, February 26th, 2021
4.1 Entrance fee is $100.00 per participant, on or before 14th of February 2021, in cash, check or bank transfer payable to the Exuma Sailing Club. This covers all meals, a regatta shirt, registration pack and a great weekend racing in the greatest harbour in The Bahamas!
4.2 Late registration is $130.00 on or after February 15th, 2021.
4.3 At the time of registration a $5.00 fee is required for IODA (International Optimist Dinghy Association) membership.

5.SCHEDULE
5.1 Dates of Registration and Racing:

Friday, February 26th, 2021:
4:00pm-6:00pm - Registration at Hideaways Hotel Courtyard.
5:30-7:00pm - Opening Dinner – Hideaways Hotel Courtyard.
Saturday, February 27th, 2021:
8:00am - Breakfast - Hideaways Hotel Courtyard
8:30am - Skippers Meeting 10:00am - Warning Signal with race(s) to follow
12:30pm - Lunch - Hideaways Hotel Courtyard
2:00pm - Warning Signal with race(s) to follow
5:30pm - 7:00pm - Dinner - Hideaways Hotel Courtyard
Sunday, February 28th, 2021:
8:00am - Breakfast - Hideaways Hotel Courtyard
8:45am - Bible Study & Worship Option at The Cove (Sailing Club location)
10:00am - Warning signal with race(s) to follow
12:30pm - Lunch - Hideaways Hotel Courtyard
5:30pm – 7:00pm – DINNER - Chat-N-Chill, Stocking Island
(boat shuttles will begin at 4:00pm)

(printable version)

5.2 The Race Committee will attempt to complete 7 races.
5.3 To alert boats that a race or sequence of races will begin soon, an orange flag will be displayed with one sound for at least five minutes before a warning signal is displayed.
5.4 On the last day of the regatta no warning signal will be made after 1:00pm.

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

7. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The sailing instructions are available here, and on the notice boards at the Hideaways, as well as "The Cove", location of the Exuma Sailing Club.

8. VENUE
8.1 The general racing area will be Elizabeth Harbour, Great Exuma, Bahamas.
8.2 The exact locations of the courses will depend on the specific wind and sea conditions and are at the discretion of the Race Committee.

9. THE COURSES
The diagram shown below in Appendix A shows 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. The course length and exact configuration will be based on the sailing conditions.

10. PENALTY SYSTEM
10.1 Appendix P will apply
10.2 Any competitor using a one/two turn(s) penalty shall report that use to the Race Committee promptly upon finishing that race.
10.3 The Jury Boat will be identified by displaying the code flag J.
10.4 In addition to the application of Appendix P, the jury will observe racing for other rule infringements. When a protest committee member sees such an infringement, and no boat hails protest or takes an appropriate penalty, the protest committee member may make one sound, but no yellow flag will be pointed, and no sail number will be hailed. This signal means that one or more members of the protest committee believe a boat should take an appropriate penalty.
10.5 Rule P2.3 will not apply and rule P2.2 is changed so that it will apply to any penalty after the first one.
10.5 No protests shall be heard for the green fleet.

11. SCORING
11.1 The low point scoring system of Appendix A will apply.
11.2 Three races shall constitute a regatta.
11.3 When fewer than 6 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores. When 6 or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

12. SUPPORT PERSON VESSELS
Support person vessels shall be marked with a Flag given to them at registration.

13. BERTHING
Boats shall be kept on the beach at the Hideaways Hotel or the beach at the Exuma Sailing Club cove.

14. PRIZES
Trophies shall be awarded to:
a) Top three finishers in Championship Fleet
b) Top three finishers in each Red, Blue & White Class
c) Top female in Championship Fleet
d) Top three finishers in Green Fleet
e) Top female in Green Fleet
f) National Champion will be awarded the “Geoffrey Holowesko Floating Champion Trophy”

15. DISCLAIMERS OF LIABILITY
15.1 The Bahamas Sailing Association, The Exuma Sailing Club, The International Optimist Dinghy Class Association, The Bahamas Optimist Sailing Association and their officers, members and volunteers do not accept liability for loss of life or property, or personal injury or damage caused by or arising out of the Bahamas Optimist National Championship “2020” and competitors take part in the Championships entirely at their own risk.
15.2 The establishment of the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions in no way limits or reduces the complete and unlimited responsibility of a competitor for the management of the boat he or she is sailing.
15.3 All competitors and support staff will be required to sign the hold Harmless Agreement.

16. INSURANCE
Personal accident/health and third-party liability insurances are the sole responsibility of each competitor.

17. FURTHER INFORMATION
For additional information visit www.exumasailing.club or email exumasailingclub@gmail.com

Phone or WhatsApp: Dallas Knowles (242)-524-8246 Tamara Knowles (242)-524-8247 Reginald Smith (242)-807-5606