West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association
West Coast Championship 2021
Wednesday 25th to Saturday 28th of August
_____________________________________
Notice of Race
COVID-19 Notice
This event is subject to the Covid 19 guidelines as laid out by the Irish Government. All people associated with this event must comply with these conditions. These conditions may change as the event approaches and will influence the running/organisation/cancellation of this event.
After entry applications are opened and until the start of the event, the OA will monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic or other potential disruptions to the event and having regard for the health and safety of all participants, as well as any government travel restrictions or government mandated conditions on gatherings that affect participation in or conduct of the Event, may at its sole discretion;
- a) Cancel the Event, cancel classes and reject or cancel entries
at its absolute discretion,
- b) Limit the number of classes or entries per class,
- c) Restrict the entries from a region,
- d) Use the date order of receipt of entry to determine the
cancelled entries if limiting class entries,
- e) Make any other decision deemed necessary in the
circumstances,
- f) Refund the entry fee in full should the OA cancel a class or
reject an entry.
- Organising Authority
The organising authority (OA) is Tralee Bay Sailing Club (TBSC) in conjunction with the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association (WIORA)
2) Rules
2.1 The Event is governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2021-2024, the prescriptions of Irish Sailing, the IRC Rating Rule parts A-C, the Irish Sailing ECHO Performance Handicap System, the WIORA Constitution, class association rules where applicable, this Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions and any changes thereto.
2.2 Crew Limit is IRC plus 1. There are no crew weight limits. There is no crew limit for white sail boats but at least two capable persons must be on board during racing.
2.3 ISAF Category Group 3 sailors are only allowed to sail under the following conditions: An IRC boat may carry ONE Group 3 sailor on ONE day only. The Group 3 sailor is not allowed to helm.
- Advertising
Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the OA.
- Eligibility
4.1 The event is open to all boats holding an ECHO and/or IRC certificate.
4.2 Entrants shall comply with Irish Sailing national authority eligibility requirements, submit a copy of their current ECHO and/or IRC Certificate at or before registration, complete and return a valid Entry Form accompanied by the appropriate Entry Fee. The OA reserve the absolute right to refuse any entry, boat, or its crew, or to ask any entrant to complete further undertakings or declarations, see RRS 76.1. Entries may be split into classes based on rating, the PRO may combine the start of one class with another or exceptionally for other reasons, depending on the number of entries. The allocation of entries into classes will be posted on the Tralee Bay Sailing Club event website by 1700hrs on Monday 22nd August 2021
4.3 All participating sailors shall be members of the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association for 2021. Subscriptions shall be paid at or before registration. Subscription is €10 per person. Persons under 18 years or over 65 years on the first day of the event are exempt from subscription.
4.4 To be eligible for class and overall prizes a boat must comply with the definition of a cruiser racer promulgated by ICRA.
5) Handicaps
5.1 Racing shall be held under IRC and ECHO handicap systems. If there are sufficient one design entries of any particular type they may be assigned to a separate fleet with scratch and ECHO results.
5.2 IRC Certificates shall have a validity date of no later than 17th August 2021. No downward adjustment of an IRC rating shall be made after this date unless due to an error on the part of the rating office. Upward adjustments may be applied at any time.
5.3 ECHO certificates must be valid on the first day of the event.
5.4 ECHO ratings shall be determined by the OA and published prior to the event. Handicaps may be adjusted after each race using a progressive ECHO system. The act of handicap adjustment or failure to adjust will not be grounds for protest.
5.5 IRC Boats shall be assigned to a fleet depending on their rating and the number of entries. The OA reserves the right to assign a boat to any fleet and this shall not be subject to protest or redress (this changes RRS62).
6) Entry
6.1 Boats may enter the event by completing the entry form and paying the appropriate entry fee.
6.2 Entry forms are available at traleebaysailingclub.ie. The entry form may be printed and posted to Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Fenit, Co. Kerry or completed online.
6.3 Payment may be made online or by cheque made out to Tralee Bay Sailing Club and sent to Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Fenit, Co. Kerry.
6.4 Entry fees are as follows:
| Date | White Sail Fleet | Spinnaker Fleet | U 25 Entry |
| Until 24/08/2021 | €120 | €150 | €112-50 |
6.5 The closing date for entries is Friday 20th of August at 6pm. Entries received after this date may not be accepted or may be charged a late entry fee of €50. Entries received prior to August 20th may pay online or at registration.
7) Registration
7.1 All boats must register at the Race Office prior to competing in any race and not later than 1200 midday on the first day of the event.
7.2 The race office is located in the TBSC clubhouse and shall be open at the following times:
Tuesday 24th of August 1600 – 2200 hrs
Wednesday 25th August 1000 – 1130 hrs
7.3 The official notice board may be located in the entrance hall of TBSC’ however due to COVID-19 may be by WhatsApp Group to prevent congregations.
8) Marina
8.1 Visiting boats shall be accommodated on the marina for the duration of the event (Sunday 22nd – Sunday 29th). Boats may be required to raft up. All boats shall follow the instructions of marina staff at all times.
8.2 Lift in facilities shall be provided free of charge on Tuesday 24th from 1400 to 1900 hrs and on Saturday 28th after completion of racing.
8.3 Lift in (or out) outside of these hours may be available by prior arrangement with the marina office (066- 7136231) at your own expense.
8.4 Boats arriving before Sunday 22nd and /or departing after Sunday 29th of August may be subject to marina charges.
9) Spinnaker Racing
9.1 Seven races are scheduled for the spinnaker fleets over four days.
9.2 There shall be no more than three races on any one day. The number of races each day shall be determined by the Race Officer depending on weather conditions and the type of course in use. No more than 6 races may be completed by close of racing on Friday 28th of August unless the race committee determine that the weather forecast is such that no racing is likely to be held on Saturday 28th.
9.3 The first warning signal shall be at 1255 hours on the 25th of August and at 1155 hrs on subsequent days.
9.4 No race shall start after 1500 hrs on the 28th of August except in the case of postponement, general recall or abandonment shortly after the start. If the first fleet to start is within this time limit then all other fleets may also start a race subject to the Race Officer’s approval. Such a start or failure to start shall not be grounds for protest.
9.5 Three races are required for a valid event
10) White sail racing
10.1 Seven races are scheduled for the white sails fleet over four days.
10.2 There shall be no more than three races on any one day. The number of races each day shall be determined by the Race Officer depending on weather conditions and the type of course in use. No more than 6 races may be completed by close of racing on Friday 27th of August except also as in 9.2 above.
10.3 The first warning signal shall be at 1255 hours on the 25th of August and at 1155 hrs on subsequent days. If the white sails fleet are racing on the same course as the spinnaker fleet than their start will follow after the Spinnaker fleets’ starts.
10.4 No race shall start after 1500 hrs on the 28th of August except in the case of postponement, general recall or abandonment shortly after the start.
11) Course to be sailed
11.1 Courses may be windward/leeward, Olympic, ‘round the cans’ or coastal in nature. The course shall be determined by the race officer with regard to the schedule, the need for a variety of course types and the prevailing conditions.
12) Scoring
12.1 Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
12.2 When fewer than three races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores.
12.3 When four to seven races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
13) Insurance
13.1 Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of €3,000,000 per incident.
13.2 Boats may be required to provide proof of cover at registration.
14) Disclaimer of liability & Risk Statement
Competitors participate in the Regatta entirely at their own risk. See RRS Rule 4, Decision to Race. The OA will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during or after the Regatta. Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the Regatta, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:
14.1 They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the Regatta.
14.2 They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore.
14.3 They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions.
14.4 Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate.
14.5 The provision of a race management team, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers does not relieve them of their own responsibilities.
14.6 The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances.
14.7 The wearing of personal flotation devices is a statutory requirement in Ireland for anyone on board a boat under 7 meters in length and by anyone under the age of 16 on the deck of a boat and is strongly recommended on all boats at all times.
14.8 It is the competitor’s responsibility to familiarise themselves with any risks specific to this venue or this event drawn to their attention in any rules and information produced for the venue or event.
15) Prizes
15.1 Prizes will be awarded under IRC and ECHO handicap systems depending on the number of entries.
15.2 There will be an overall prize awarded in IRC. The overall winner will be selected from the spinnaker classes by using a system of weighted scoring to reflect the number of boats competing in each class.
15.3 The OA shall display the formula used in 13.2 above on the official notice board prior to the event.
16) Sailing Instructions
Sailing Instructions will be available at Registration and online at https://www.traleebaysailingclub.ie
17) Media Waiver
Competitors give their consent to the OA to use or to license the use of their name, comments, photographs and likeness as it sees fit for the promotion of the West Coast Championship Regatta. The OA reserves the right to uses or to license the use of any images and sound recording during the Event free of charge.
18) Coronavirus restrictions
18.1 The event will proceed under the restrictions in place at the time and subject to the advice of the ISA regarding sailing events.
18.2 No entry fees are required until the date of registration although entrants may pay online prior to this date. Such payments will be refunded if the event is cancelled.
18.3 The organising authority shall make a determination on whether to proceed with the event by August 7th 2021 at the latest.
18) Further Information
18.1 Further information or enquiries to Liam Lynch
(087 9798603 or drllynch@gmail.com)