Notice of Race

Wednesday Night Races on Clear Lake

Location: ClearLake, Seabrook, Texas

Dates: Every Wednesday from April 7 to September 15, 2010

Organizing Authority: Clear Lake Racing Association

1.         RULES 

1.1       The series will be governed by the rules as defined by the Racing Rules of Sailing and the rules of any participating One Design Class.

1.2       The rules will be changed as follows or as more fully set out in the sailing instructions: 

RRS 26 is changed so that the Warning Signal will be given 3 minutes prior to the race start, and the Preparatory Signal will be given 2 minutes before the race start. 

The last sentence of RRS 29.2, General Recall, is deleted and is replaced with the following:  “When a general recall has been signaled, the recalled start shall move to the back of the starting order. All other classes will be started at their scheduled times with the recalled class starting 3 minutes after the last scheduled start. Subsequent recalled classes shall start at three minute intervals in the order of their recall.”

The race committee may adjust the position of an existing mark to square up a course without any signal, but shall not do so in such a way as to prejudice any competitor. This modifies RRS 33.

The Bay Race Committee may, at its discretion, set three small tetrahedrons to address wind shifts, each of a different color: yellow, orange, and green. When in use, the bay race committee can effect course change using code flag “C”, normal sound signals, and a yellow, orange, or green flag to indicate the weather mark. This modifies RRS 33.

In RRS 44.1 and 44.2, replace all instances of the words “Two-Turns Penalty” with the words “One-Turns Penalty” so that a boat that may have broken a rule in Part 2 may be exonerated by doing a one turn penalty consisting of one tack and one gybe in the same direction.

The low point scoring system of appendix A for A9 Race Scores for Series Longer than a Regatta will be modified so that DSQ or DND equal the number of starters plus 2.

2.         ADVERTISING

            This event is designated Category C as defined by ISAF Regulation 20.

3.         Schedule of races

3.1       The Warning Signal for the first race each Wednesday will be 6:15 pm on Clear Lake and 6:30 pm on Galveston Bay.

3.2       The scheduled season is made up of 6 series, with each series consisting of 4 nights of at least one race.  One race may constitute a series. One throwout per series with four races completed.

4.         Classes

4.1       Handicap Classes expected are:

PHRF Non-Spinnaker
PHRF Spinnaker
Portsmouth

4.2       One Design classes expected are:

Sonar
A-Class Catamarans

Sunfish

Vanguard 15
Laser
J22
J24
J80

5          Conditions of entry

5.1       Participants shall be familiar with the Racing Rules of Sailing.

5.2       Membership in US Sailing is not a requirement, but is highly encouraged.  US Sailing members will receive a discount on registration.

6          Restrictions on entry

6.1       Sailors who are in good standing with US Sailing and/or CLRA shall be allowed to participate. 

7          Time of registration AND Procedure for advance registration

7.1       Registration for 2010 can be made in advance of the first series or anytime during the year by filling out the on-line form at the CLRA web site (www.clearlakeraces.com or www.clearlakeracing.com), and mailing the appropriate fee to:

CLRA
1006 Acorn Court

Friendswood, Texas 77546

7.2       Registration can also be made at the Skipper’s Meeting to be held at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at:

The Club Classic

2511 NASA Road 1 (on the waterfront, behind the Classic Cafe)

Seabrook, Texas

7.3       First time participants are allowed to race without advance registration at the discretion of the Race Committee, but shall register immediately following their first race.

7.4       Participants shall not attempt to register or make payment on the water.

7.5       Fee Schedule

Period             # Races           US Sailing Member               Non-Member

Year                             24                    $200                                       $220

Series                          4                      $40                                         $45       

Night                          1                      $10                                         $12

Post Race                Each                   $15                                         $15       

7.6       Closing date for registering for the year is April 29th, 2010.

8          REQUIREMENTS FOR RATING OR MEASUREMENT CERTS

8.1       Entries racing under the PHRF handicap system are not required to have a rating certificate, but shall be rated using the PHRF Handicapping and Adjustments specified on the CLRA web site  (www.clearlakeracing.com). Entries racing under the Portsmouth Systems shall be rated by the current handbook issued by US Sailing.

9          SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

9.1       Sailing Instructions shall be available at the Skipper’s Meeting, or can be downloaded off the CLRA web site (www.clearlakeracing.com) after the  Skipper’s Meeting.

9.2       The courses to be sailed shall be specified on the web site.  Course Sheets setting out the courses to be sailed shall be available at the Skipper’s Meeting. In general, they are closed courses of the triangular, trapezoidal, or windward / leeward type.

9.3       The scoring system shall be as described in Appendix A9 in the RRS, Race Series Longer Than A Regatta, modified where DSQ and DND are number of starts + 2.

10        PRIZES

10.1     Weekly sailing prizes are awarded as follows:

Either

1st - (2 boats competing) - Food Credit at hosting club.
2nd - (4 boats) - Food Credit at hosting club.
3rd - (6 boats) - Food Credit at hosting club.
4th - (8 boats) - Food Credit at hosting club.

Or:

Weekly sailing prizes shall be a food buffet, open to all skippers, crews, and their family members.

10.2     Weekly random prizes are as follows:

1 Random Prize for more than 3 boats in class.

10.3     Series Sailing Prizes are apportioned the same as the weekly prizes, based on average number of boats in the series. Series Prize values are determined by the monthly trophy sponsors.

10.4     End of Season Sailing Prizes are apportioned the same, based on average number of boats in each series. Class Champions are eligible to enter the Fleet Championship, and each Class Champion and crew member receives a Class Champion Polo Shirt. Second, Third, and Fourth places, as warranted by participation, receive 1 trophy per boat.

10.5     Keeper prizes will be awarded for the following Perpetual Trophies:

Fleet Champion – Winner of the Fleet Championship.
Sportsmanship Award – Balloted award for exemplary sportsmanlike behavior.
Boat of the Year – Best average finish in the class with the highest average number of competitors.
Best Crew – Balloted award for an individual.
Most Improved – Balloted award for the individual showing the most improvement.
Trident Aaarrrggg Award – Balloted award for the biggest mistake or blunder of the year.