Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
October 28 - November 3, 2024
Hamilton, Bermuda
The following abbreviations apply to this Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions:
NoR: Notice of Race
OA: Organising Authority
RRS: Racing Rules of Sailing
SI: Sailing Instruction
RC: Race Committee
TD: Technical Delegate
[NP]: A boat may not protest as per NoR 1.3
IJ: International Jury
ORGANISING AUTHORITY
The Organising Authority (OA) will be the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
VENUE
The venue will be Hamilton, Bermuda.
1. RULES 1.1. The event is governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing, including RRS Appendix C
1.2. The rules for the handling of boats and the equipment list, detailed as part of the Sailing Instructions, will apply, and will also apply to any practice sailing and sponsor races. Class rules will not apply.
1.3. The notation ‘[NP]’ in a rule of the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions means that a boat may not protest another boat for breaking that rule. This changes RRS 60.1(a).
1.4. If one boat has finished and is no longer racing, and the other boat has a penalty outstanding, the umpires may cancel that penalty. This changes RRS C7.4(c).
1.5. If there is a conflict between languages the English text takes precedence.
1.6. The event has applied for World Sailing Grade 1. This grading is subject to review by World Sailing. The event may be re-graded when there is clear reason to do so.
1.7. An International Jury will be appointed in accordance with RRS 91.B and RRS Appendix N. The right of appeal will be denied in accordance with RRS 70.5.
2. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The SIs will be available after 16:00 on October 25, 2024 on the Official Notice Board
3. COMMUNICATION
3.1. Notices to competitors will be posted on the online official notice board which is located at bermudagoldcup.com/race-info.
3.2. Signals made ashore will be displayed from Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
4. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
4.1. Eight (8) skippers will be invited.
Skippers wishing to receive an invite may register their request with the OA by emailing [email protected]
4.2. Only skippers invited by the OA, and who confirm acceptance of the invitation in writing or by email, as detailed in the letter of invitation, will be eligible to enter this event.
4.3. All competitors shall meet the eligibility requirements of World Sailing regulation 19.4
4.4. All competitors shall obtain a World Sailing Sailor ID by registering online at sailing.org/sailor_id_request.php. Skippers shall inform the OA of their World Sailing Sailor ID at registration.
4.5. The skipper shall complete registration, arrange the damage deposit of USD2,000 and shall ensure that all crew complete crew weighing, all between 1200 to 1600 on 27th October and 0900 to 1200 on 28th October unless extended by the OA. To be considered an entry in the event, a boat shall complete all registration requirements and pay all fees.
4.6. When a skipper accepts an invitation and later withdraws within two months of the event or leaves the event before the end without written approval from the OA, a zero score may be applied to their Ranking points for that event by World Sailing. (World Sailing Regulation 27.2.2(d))
5. DAMAGE / DAMAGE DEPOSIT
5.1. Each supplied boat is insured by the OA for third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of $1,000,000 BMD per incident.
5.2. Each skipper is responsible for the damage or loss to their boat unless responsibility is otherwise assigned by the umpires or PC. The amount of the damage deposit detailed in NoR 4.5 is the limit of liability as a result of any one incident and may be divided between more than one skipper. In the event that a deduction is made from the deposit, the skipper will be required to restore the deposit to the original value to continue in the event. An initial damage deposit of $2000 shall be paid at registration, unless extended by the OA.
5.3. The OA will refund any remaining damage deposit within 10 days after the event.
6. CREW (INCLUDING SKIPPER)
6.1. The number of crew (including the skipper but excluding persons placed on board by the OA) shall be 4 or 5 or 6 crew. All registered crew shall sail all races
6.2. After the warning signal for a match, the registered skipper shall not leave the helm, except in an emergency.
6.3. When a registered skipper is unable to continue in the event, the OA may authorise an original crew member to substitute.
6.4. When a registered crew member is unable to continue in the event, the OA may authorise a substitute, a temporary substitute or other adjustment.
6.5. The total weight of the crew, including the skipper, dressed in at least shorts and shirts, shall not exceed 340 kg, determined at the time of registration or such time as required by the RC.
6.6. Crew weight may be checked during the regatta. When crew weight was checked prior to racing, at any re-weighing the total weight limit is increased by 10 kg. Any crew weighing in excess of this increased limit shall not be penalised, but they shall reduce their weight to the increased weight limit before racing again.
6.7. The OA may place a person on each boat as either a guest, cameraman, or umpire observer.
7. EVENT FORMAT
7.1. The OA intends to provide (8) IOD (International One Design) type boats for racing in the event. Each boat will have the following sails: Mainsail, Jib, Spinnaker.
7.2. Boats will be allocated as decided by the race committee. The intention of the RC will be to allocate boats by draw, either daily or for each round. The RC may also require boats to be exchanged in a knock-out stage.
7.3. The sails to be used will be allocated by the RC. Competitors may be requested to exchange sails during a series to satisfy sponsorship commitments.
7.4. While all reasonable steps are taken to equalise the boats variations will not be grounds for redress. This changes RRS 62.
7.5. The number of matches to be sailed each day will be determined by the RC with the intention of the RC to start each subsequent flight as soon as practicable after the previous flight.
7.6. The course will be windward/leeward with starboard rounding, finishing downwind.
7.7. The intended racing area will be Hamilton Harbour and is shown below
7.8. Skippers will be seeded into a round robin based on the World Sailing ranking list 30 days prior to the event. After the First Stage the following will apply:
(a) Skippers will be paired in each stage as per NoR 7.9.
(b) In reference to RRS C4.1, the highest ranked skipper from the First Stage shall choose their end for the first match and boats shall alternate every odd match.
(c) The higher placed skipper in the First Stage in each match may be given the choice of boat pair, unless the boat pairs are allocated by the OA.
(d) Crews will exchange boats after the first match of a first to two points series or after the second match of a first to three point series, unless otherwise agreed by both skippers.
(e) Further matches in the series will not be sailed once the first skipper scores the points required for that stage.
7.9. The event will consist of the following stages:
First Stage - Round Robin(s)
a. All skippers will sail a single round robin.
b. The eight highest scoring skippers shall qualify for the next stage.
Second Stage - Knock-Out Quarterfinals
a. The highest placed skipper in the First Stage shall choose their opponent when required to do so by the OA. The next highest placed skipper who has not already been chosen shall choose their opponent and so on.
b. The first skipper of each series to score at least three (3) points shall proceed to the semi-finals.
Third Stage - Fifth to Eighth Place
a. The highest placed skipper in the First Stage shall select their opponent when requested by the RC to do so. The remaining two skippers shall race each other.
b. The first skipper of each series to score at least three (3) points shall proceed to the Final Stage, the losing skippers shall proceed to the Third and Fourth Place Stage.
Fourth Stage - Knock-Out Semi-Finals
a. The losing semi-finalists shall race to determine third and fourth place.
b. The first skipper to score at least two (2) points shall be awarded third place, the losing skipper awarded fourth place.
Fifth Stage - Knock-Out Final
a. The first skipper to score at least three (3) points shall be awarded first place, the losing skipper awarded second place.
7.10. The RC may change the format, terminate any stage or the event when, in its opinion, it is impractical to attempt to hold the remainder of matches under the existing conditions or in the remaining time scheduled. Early stages may be terminated in favour of later stages.
8. PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
8.1. Schedule
(a) Race office open from 1200 on 27th October.
(b) Registration from 1200 to 1600 on 27th October and 0900 to 1200 on 28th October.
(c) Crew weighing during registration.
(d) Practice from 0900 to 1200 and 1300 to 1600 on 28th October. The OA will allocate time slots.
(e) First briefing at 1700 on 28th October.
(f) First meeting with umpires will follow the first briefing.
(g) Opening Ceremony at 1800 on 28th October.
(h) Racing days from 29th October to 3rd November.
(i) Time of the first race each day will be 0930.
(j) Daily press conference 30 minutes after the last race of each day.
(k) Prize giving immediately after racing on 3rd November.
8.2. Unless excused by the OA, attendance at the following is mandatory:
(a) Initial briefing for skippers.
(b) Daily briefing, for skippers.
(c) Daily press conferences, for skippers sailing that day.
(d) Community Programme on Monday 28th October.
(e) Prize giving for the final skippers and crews.
9. ADVERTISING
As boats and equipment will be supplied by the Organising Authority, World Sailing regulation 20.4 applies. Each boat will be required to display advertising as supplied by the OA.
10. CODE OF CONDUCT
10.1. Competitors and Support Persons shall comply with any reasonable request from any official, including attendance at official functions, co-operation with event sponsors and shall behave so to not bring the event into disrepute.
10.2. Competitors and support persons shall [handle any equipment] [or][place advertising provided] by the organizing authority with care, seamanship, in accordance with any instructions for its use and without interfering with its functionality.
10.3. The OA may reduce a prize or withhold deposits in the case of misconduct or refusal to comply with any reasonable request.
11. SUPPORT PERSON
11.1. Support person vessels shall conspicuously display identification of the team being coached.
11.2. Support persons shall stay approximately 100m from the racing area while boats are racing or comply with reasonable requests from the officials.
11.3. The OA will/will not provide berths for support person vessels.
12. MEDIA, IMAGES, and SOUND
12.1. If required by the OA:
(a) Television personnel and equipment (or dummies) supplied by the OA shall be carried on board while racing.
(b) Competitors shall wear microphones supplied by the OA during racing and be available for interviews when advised by the OA or RC.
(c) Registered skippers shall wear communications equipment supplied by the OA that will allow commentators to communicate with them whilst racing.
12.2. Competitors shall not interfere with the normal working of the OA supplied media equipment.
13. RISK STATEMENT
Competitors participate in this event entirely at their own risk and they are reminded of the provisions of RRS 3, Decision to Race. Racing in a Match Racing event is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:
(a) They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport (and these events in particular) and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and any boat supplied to them to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;
(b) They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their supplied boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;
(c) They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;
(d) By participating in any race, they are satisfied that any supplied boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;
(e) The provision of a race management team, safety boats, umpires and other officials and volunteers by the organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;
(f) The provision of safety boat support is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances;
(g) They have considered their own personal insurance position and are satisfied they have adequate cover for the event.
14. PRIZES
The principal prize for first place will be the winner’s name engraved on Bermuda Women’s Match Racing Trophy. Prize money will be awarded to the top 8 teams. World Sailing has been notified of these Prizes.
15. FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information please contact Nicole Butterworth, RBYC Sailing Office: [email protected]
END: 19th April 2024