1// GENERAL
1.1.Except as noted in these race instructions, all Club Races will be held in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004 as published by the Canadian Yachting Association.

1.2.Canadian M.O.T. and/or Canadian Coast Guard approved PFDs must be worn during club races unless otherwise stated by the race committee. Canadian M.O.T. and/or Canadian Coast Guard regulations must be adhered to.
 
2// SAFETY
2.1.Each MSC competitor must check in with Committee Boat before start of race(s). A competitor must notify Committee Boat if retiring from race(s).

2.2.Each boat is required to carry the following safety equipment: one PFD per person as noted in 1.2, one bailing bucket or human powered mechanical bailer (excluding Laser and Catamaran Classes), one paddle and one painter of at least the length of the boat.

2.3.A competitor withdrawing from a race to aid a boat in distress will be awarded average points in that series.

2.4.Visiting Competitors: Any guest sailor participating in a regular club race should check in with the race officer of the day to be counted in each race.
 
3// CLUB RACING

3.1.Series Format: There will be 4 race series:
  • Sunday Series (Thursday Spring Series)
  • Thursday Summer Series(Sunday / Thursday Fall Series)
  • A minimum of 5 races must be completed to constitute a series
  • A minimum of 4 boats constitutes a race
  • A minimum of 2 race staff must be on the water to hold a race

3.2.STARTING TIMES
Sunday Series 1:00pm. (Thursday Spring Series 7:00pm )
Thursday Summer Series 6:30pm (Sunday 1:00pm / Thursday 6:30pm Fall Series)

3.3.RACE TIME LIMIT
The time limit will be 90 minutes from the start. Should one boat finish within the time limit, the time limit for that boat’s Class will then be 30 minutes after first boat finishes.
The Race Committee may cancel the race prior to the time limit due to darkness, weather or safety reasons.
If a race is cancelled as noted above, each competitor will be awarded average points and race will be counted

3.4.CANCELLATION
Races may be cancelled for reasons of poor weather (including wind and waves) or lack of attendance at any time. Races will not be permitted with winds of 20 knots or higher.

3.5.STARTS
A 5 minute starting sequence will normally be used.
There will be one start for all classes unless otherwise announced by the race committee.
A fleet may request a separate start, providing there are 4 boats racing in that fleet.

3.6.GENERAL RECALLS
A general recall will be signaled by raising the First Substitute flag. This will remain until one minute before the next starting sequence.

3.7.NOVICE STARTS
A novice is defined as an MSC member, or visitor, who is skippering in their first year of the MSC race program.
A novice may start at the preparatory signal (Blue four minute flag). The race committee must be notified of novice status prior to the warning signal (Red five minute flag).
A skipper must relinquish novice status after competing in four races.
 
4 // SCORING

4.1. A competitor must race in a minimum of 20% of the total counted races (or four races, whichever is greater) to score in that series. Should a Competitor not meet this requirement, their placement in the races(s) will not count towards that series.

4.2.THROWOUTS

80% of races count, however, no less than 5 races shall be used.
60% of the races count for the season overall award.
4.3.Handicapping will be done as per the Portsmouth Handicap System.

4.4.The low point scoring system as per appendix A2 Section 2 of the CYA Racing Rules of Sailing will be used (As calculated by MSC scoring software).

4.5.Race duty will be awarded average points

4.6.Missing assigned race duty will score a DSQ on 2 best seasonal scores (cannot be thrown out).

4.7.Club Races missed due to conflicting club duties or attendance at a dinghy or catamaran competition away, will be awarded average points. The competitor is required to inform the race officer in writing.

4.8.Average points defined as the average of points taken after throw outs, as calculated by the racing computer program.

4.9.Overall is defined as position after handicapping.
 
    5 // PROTEST PROCEDURES

5.1.The 720 Rule is in effect (CYA Rules 44.2).

5.2.Initiating a Protests: in addition to the CYA Rules, (Part 5.2.1 to 5.2.3)

The protesting boat must inform the race committee of the intention to protest within ½ hour of finishing the race.
Written protest must be submitted to the race committee within ½ hour of their return to shore of the race committee.

The race officer, of the day, will form a committee and arrange a hearing.
 
6 // RACE COURSE
6.1.The Standard Olympic Course will be the typical course (buoys to port) if no other is posted on shore prior to race time. The Standard Olympic Course shall consist of one complete triangle plus a windward leg, a leeward leg, and finishing with a windward leg. (As described in Appendix N Addendum A of the CYA Racing Rules of Sailing, 2001-2004).

6.2.Shorten course will be signaled by 2 horn blasts plus the continuous display of the S code flag. These signals must be given prior to any boat entering the new finishing let.
Marks will be left to port normally unless otherwise specified by the race committee.
 
STARTING SEQUENCE MSC Rule 3.5
 
Time Description Flag Horn
5:00 Warning Signal Red up  One Horn
4:00 Preparatory Signal Blue Up           One Horn
1:00   Blue Down One Horn
0:00 START            Red Down        One Horn
 

SIGNAL FLAGS
 
Description Flag Horn Sign
Individual Recall X Code

1 Horn
General Recall  First Substitute

2 Horns
Abandonment   N Code            3 Horns
Shorten Course            

S Code                        2 Horns

2 Horns
Postponement   Answering Pennant

2 Horns
 
CANADIAN YACHTING ASSOCIATION SIMPLIFIED RULES
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TEN BASIC RULES FOR BEGINNERS (by Al Schonborn)
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