Notice of Race & Sailing Instructions.

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1. PURPOSE

• There is always racing at CYC! Members are encouraged to develop a strategy for which direction to sail around the island based upon the wind and water conditions, and to race repeatedly against their own best time during the season. Each attempt receives an adjusted score, unique to a boat and skipper combination, and handicapped across the entire fleet of boats, keel and centerboard. And the sharing of each race experience on the CYC social media outlets is highly anticipated!

 

2. SCHEDULE OF RACES & REGISTRATION

• Dates of racing: March 6, 2022 to November 30, 2022.

• There is no limit to the number of times a boat may enter this race, and entries may begin on March 6th, ending on November 30th, 2022. All racing is to be conducted during daylight hours, as defined by the local almanac for sunrise and sunset.

• There is no charge to register: Registration is accomplished when a boat notifies the scorer of her required identifying information elements at the following email: AyersIslandRace@gmail.com

• The registration information is to be submitted on the same date the boat races, and consists of the following elements: Date, boat’s name, make, and length, skipper’s name, GPS start and finish times using the 24 hour format of HH:MM:SS (GPS time is also available on a cell phone and if seconds are unknown, use 00), and the applicable handicap type (PHRF/Portsmouth) and number.

• There is an app available for free download called RaceQ’s www.raceqs.com which provides an enhanced sailing experience for racing and cruising sailors. This is not a requirement for this race but is recommended for a complete review of your race once completed. (i.e. bragging rights!)

• The Ayers Island Race Perpetual Trophy will be awarded to the winner during the Christmas party and remain on display at the club house – as incentive for next year’s racing to Ayers Island! Additional awards may be added at the sole discretion of the race organizers.

 

3. THE START, MARKS, COURSE, & FINISH

• The recorded start time (GPS/cell phone) occurs when any part of the hull of a starting boat first reaches the distance of a one boat length (LOA) circle around the specially marked start buoy located in the mouth of the CYC inlet. This start/finish mark may be passed on either side for both the start and the finish of this race.

• The course consists of a route from the start/finish mark and around Ayers Island, in one direction, and a return to the same start/finish mark. Record the finish time when any part of the finishing boat’s hull first reaches the one boat length (LOA) circle around the start/finish mark. Submit the required registration elements directly after the race is finished, on the same date.

• The determination of which direction to sail around Ayers Island is entirely reliant upon the skipper, and avoidance of all obstacles such as shorelines, shallows, sandbars, docks, piers, buoys, and any other obstacles that could be encountered by ill-advised short cuts is highly recommended, yet is also considered to be at the discretion of the skipper, who are on their own recognizance per their decision to enter this race.

 

4. TIME LIMITS, PROTESTS, AND SCORING

• A boat’s score consists of its elapsed time calculated against its PHRF/Portsmouth handicap. There are no time limits on a race, and no limits on the number of registrations accepted. Each boat and skipper combination is scored as one unique entry. (For families with more than one skipper!)

• All times and scores will be posted publicly, periodically, on the webpage. The scorers will do their best to post all scores timely. Notice of scoring errors, protests and suggestions for improvementsshould be sent to the email:AyersIslandRace@gmail.com

• Participants are strongly encouraged to post an account of their race experience to any of the CYC social media outlets. Include a personalized description of the wind/ weather conditions encountered, the elapsed time, a description of the course sailed, a rationale for the route taken, even a picture of their RaceQs track, or a real close up view of Ayers Island!

• The sample ‘Scratch Sheet’ below is provided only as a checklist for those items required for race registration and for a score to be calculated. Use this form only if it is easier for you to do so.

• 5. RULES & RISK STATEMENT

• This race is governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).

• The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue to race is hers alone. By participating in this event each competitor agrees and acknowledges that sailing is a potentially dangerous activity with inherent risks. These risks include strong winds and rough seas, sudden changes in weather, failure of equipment, boat handling errors, poor seamanship by other boats, loss of balance on an unstable platform and fatigue resulting in increased risk of injury. Inherent in the sport of sailing is the risk of permanent, catastrophic injury or death by drowning, trauma, hypothermia, or other causes.