Larks
the
2011 Lark Class
National Championships
13th – 19th August 2011
Organising Authority:
South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, in conjunction with
The Lark Class Owners Association
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
1.
RULES
1.1 The championship will be governed by the ‘rules’ as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing
2009 – 2012 and the Notice of Race except as where either of these are changed by these
Sailing Instructions.
1.2 In the case of conflict these Sailing Instructions will over-ride all other rules.
1.3 All competitors must be members of the Lark Class Owners Association. The ISAF Sailor
Classification Code will not apply.
2.
NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice boards located on the middle
deck of South Caernarvonshire YC.
3.
CHANGES IN SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted on the official notice board at least 90
minutes before the advertised start time of the race or races concerned, except that any
change to the schedule of races will be posted by 2000 on the day before it will take effect.
4.
SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
4.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed on the SCYC Flagstaff.
4.2 When flag AP is displayed ashore, competitors shall not launch, but may launch after the
AP is lowered. The warning signal from the race committee boat will be made not less than
45 minutes after the AP is lowered ashore. This changes race signals AP.
5.
SCHEDULE OF RACES
5.1 The number, dates and scheduled times of races, along with predicted tide times, are
shown in Attachment 1
5.2 On the last day of racing, no warning signal will be made after 1400hrs.
5.3 A race will not be started in a wind speed of 3 knots or less (Beaufort Force 1).
6.
CLASS FLAG
The class flag will be International Code Flag “L”. This changes the meaning of Flag L
when flown afloat given in RRS (Race signals). As a result of this, the race committee boat
shall signal “come within hail” or “follow me” by use of International Code Flag ‘R’.
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7.
RACING AREA
The racing area will be in Tremadoc Bay, Admiralty Chart 1971, and approximately 2N.m.
east of South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club
8.
THE COURSES
8.1 The diagrams in Attachment 2 show the courses, the order in which marks are to be
passed, and the side on which each mark is to be left.
8.2 No later than the warning signal, the race committee signal boat will display the course
type (T or O) on a board on the committee boat. This may also display the approximate
compass bearing from the starting area to Mark 1.
8.3 The course may be shortened in accordance with RRS Rule 32.
9.
9.1
9.2
9.3
MARKS
Marks 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be orange cylindrical inflatable buoys.
New marks, as provided in instruction 12.1, will be black conical inflatable buoys.
Starting marks for a fixed line will be the race committee signal boat at the starboard end
and a large cylindrical inflatable mark at the port end. The inner limit mark (if laid) will be a
yellow spherical buoy. Starting marks for a Gate start will be a free floating orange
cylindrical mark and the Gate Launch, displaying International Code Flag G.
9.4 The finishing line marks will be a race committee boat flying a blue flag at the starboard
end and a danbuoy flying a blue flag at the port end.
10. AREAS THAT ARE OBSTRUCTIONS
Danger Areas: Do not sail inland of the disused sewer pipe located off to the port from the
club. Do not sail inside the clubs jetty pole. Do not sail inside of the Red Lateral mark
located off the St. Tudwals East island and the island.
11. THE START
11.1 Races will be started by using rule 26, with the following addition:
International Code Flag F will be hoisted 5 minutes before the warning signal and removed
with one sound one minute before the warning signal when:
a) There has been a substantial, indefinite postponement to the first (or only) race
scheduled
b) The warning signal is for the second or subsequent race sailed that day
11.2 When International Code Flag “Q” is displayed on the race committee boat, a fixed line
start will be used and instructions 11.2a-11.2d will apply.
When International Code Flag “G” is displayed on the race committee boat a gate start will
be used and instructions 11.2e-11.2m will apply.
a)
b)
c)
d)
LINE STARTS
The starting line will be between a mast displaying an orange flag on the race committee
signal boat at the starboard end and the port-end mark
A limit mark may be laid adjacent the race committee signal boat. Boats shall not pass
between the limit mark and the race committee signal boat after the preparatory signal. A
dinghy or other floating boat or object secured alongside or astern of the race committee
boat shall be regarded as part of the starting mark.
A boat starting later than 5 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start.
This changes rule A4.1
If any part of a boat’s hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line
during the two minutes before her starting signal, the race committee may display flag ‘V’.
If flown, it will be displayed until all boats have sailed completely to the pre-start side, but
not after the starting signal. The raising or lowering of flag ‘V’ will not be accompanied by a
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sound signal.
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
GATE STARTS
The starting area will be to leeward of the course.
The Gate Launch will display International Code Flag “G” and the Guard Launch, if used,
will display International Code Flag “U”. Starting signals will be made on the race
committee boat. The race committee boat shall display international code flag 1, 2 or 3 [or
display the number on a blackboard] to denote the number of minutes the pathfinder shall
sail for before being released.
The Race Committee will nominate the Pathfinder for the first race sailed. Subsequently,
the Pathfinder will be the boat placed tenth in the preceding race. When she is unable to
race, or has been Pathfinder previously in the event, the Pathfinder will be the boat placed
eleventh in the preceding race – and so on. Her sail number will be posted on the official
notice board and/or displayed on the transom or starboard side of the race committee
boat. The Pathfinder shall report to the Gate Launch at least 10 minutes before the
warning signal.
Approximately 2 minutes before the starting signal, the Pathfinder shall come within hail of
the Gate Launch and place herself under the direction of the Race Officer. Approximately
15 seconds before the starting signal the Pathfinder will commence sailing on a closehauled course on port tack, to windward of, and close to the anchored committee boat. An
orange cylindrical mark will be placed in the water from the stern of the gate launch
approximately 5 seconds before the start. The pathfinder will be followed by the Gate
Launch and may be preceded off her starboard bow by a Guard Launch, at the discretion
of the race officer. To start, competitors must pass between the Starting Mark and the
centre of the transom of the Gate Launch after the starting signal.
The Pathfinder shall maintain her course for the number of minutes denoted by the
international code flag shown on the race committee boat or the number on a blackboard.
When released by the Race Officer she may tack onto starboard or hold her course as she
pleases, provided that she does not impede the gate or guard launches. The Gate Launch
will hold her course and speed for a further minute. A sound signal will be made when the
gate is fully open at which point the Gate Launch will stop and drift for at least one minute.
At the end of this period code flag “G” will be lowered to indicate closing of the gate. No
boat shall start after flag “G” has been lowered. A boat failing to start before lowering of
flag “G” will be scored “Did Not Start”. This alters rule A4.1.
A boat, which has not correctly started and which is on the course side of the Gate Launch
while the Gate is opening, shall not cross the start line from the course side.
After the preparatory signal, a boat which interferes with, or causes pathfinder to alter
course, or tries to pass between the Guard Launch, pathfinder and the Gate Launch, or
that causes another boat to interfere in these ways, will be disqualified without a hearing.
If the race is restarted, re-sailed or rescheduled she is not entitled to compete in that race.
This alters rule 63.1.
The Gate Launch, Guard Launch and Pathfinder until released rank as starting marks.
A boat that cannot otherwise avoid fouling a starting mark may hail a right-of-way boat for
room and then shall immediately retire.
12. CHANGE OF THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE
12.1 To change the position of the next mark, the race committee will lay a new mark (or move
the finishing line) and remove the original mark as soon as practicable. The change will be
signalled at the previous mark before the leading boat has begun the leg that is affected,
although the new mark may not yet be in position. If the mark/finishing line is moved less
than 100 metres from its original position, the change will not be signalled. Any mark to be
rounded after rounding the new mark may be relocated without further signalling to
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maintain the course configuration. When in a subsequent change a new mark is replaced,
it will be replaced by an original mark.
13. THE FINISH
On the Olympic course, the finishing line will be between the mast of the race committee
signal boat at the starboard end of the line and the mast of the danbuoy, each displaying a
blue flag. They will be located windward of the windward mark.
On the Trapezoid course, the finishing line will be formed by a danbuoy at the port end and
a race committee boat at the Starboard end.
14. PENALTY SYSTEM
As provided in RRS 67, the protest committee may, without a hearing, penalise a boat that
has broken RRS 42.
15. TIME LIMIT
15.1 The time limit for the leading boat, for the Practice Race & Crew race plus races 1, 2, 3, 4,
6, & 7 will be 120 minutes. The time limit for races 5, 8 & 9 will be 180 minutes. If one boat
finishes within this time limit, the race will be valid for all boats that finish within this time
limit or within 30 minutes of the first boat whichever is the later. All other boats will be
scored ‘DNF’. This changes RRS 35 and Appendix A4
16 PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS
16.1 Protest forms are available at the Race Office located on the middle deck of SCYC.
Protests shall be delivered there within the protest time limit. If Arbitration is requested this
should be notified to the Protest Secretary and marked on the Protest Form (although
Arbitration can be offered at the start of a hearing). If any party states that they wish to
take an Exoneration Penalty, this should be notified to the Protest Secretary and a signed
request put with the Protest Form.
16.2 The protest time limit is 90 minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day.
When known, this time will be displayed on the Official Notice Board. The same protest
time limit applies to all protests by the race committee and protest committee and to
requests for redress. This changes the time limits of rule 61.3 and 62.2.
16.3 Notices will be posted within 30 minutes of the protest time limit to inform competitors of
hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses. The notice will include the
location and the intended start time of the hearings.
16.4 Notices of protests by the race committee or protest committee will be posted to inform
boats under rule 61.1(b).
16.5 A list of boats that have been disqualified by the protest committee, under paragraph
11.2b, 11.2k, 14, 18.2 and 18.3 of these sailing instructions will be posted before the
protest time limit.
16.6 Breaches of paragraphs 14, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4 and 19.2 of these sailing instructions will not
be grounds for a protest by a boat. This changes rule 60.1(a). Penalties for these breaches
may be less than disqualification, if the protest committee so decides.
16.7 On the last day of the regatta a request for reopening a hearing shall be delivered:
(a) within the protest time limit if the party requesting reopening was informed of the
decision on the previous day.
(b) no later than 30 minutes after the party requesting reopening was informed of the
decision on that day.
This changes rule 66.
16.8 For the purpose of rule 64.3(b) the ‘authority responsible’ is the measurer appointed by the
Lark Class Owners Association.
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17 SCORING
17.1 The Championships will be scored using RRS Appendix A4 Low Points system amended
so that the first boat in each race scores 0.75.
17.2 Of the 9 races scheduled, 3 races shall be completed to constitute a valid Championship.
If four or more races are completed, a boat’s worst score will be excluded. If eight or more
races are completed a boat’s two worst scores will be excluded when calculating the final
score.
17.3 A boat that may have broken a rule of Part 2, or rule 31 or 42 may, before the start of a
related Protest Hearing, notify the race committee that she accepts a 20% Exoneration
Penalty as stated in Rule 44.3 (c) ( with a minimum of 2 places but not worse than DNF).
This does not reverse an OCS score, nor a BDF, under RRS 30.3. It is NOT available for
RRS 2 nor RRS 69, nor for any rule requiring her to retire. If Arbitration is accepted by both
parties to a Protest, then any penalty given shall equal the Exoneration Penalty above.
18. SAFETY AND DECLARATIONS
18.1 All competitors shall wear personal buoyancy at all times whilst afloat on the water. Wet
suits or dry suits do not constitute adequate buoyancy.
This changes RRS 40 and the preamble to Part 4
.
18.2 Boat Identification Number
All boats shall display their boat identification sticker (if required to by the organising
committee), on each side of the bow. Any boat that fails to display its boat identification
number while racing may be disqualified without a hearing. This alters rule 63.1.
18.3 Tally System
A Tally Number will be allocated to each boat, launching trolley and allocated space. A
Tally Board will be situated at the Beach Master’s Hut before each race. Tallies shall be
placed on the right wrist of the helm and crew. Timing for the release of Tallies prior to
going afloat will be on the instruction of the Race Officer. Tallies shall be returned to the
Beach Master within 30 minutes of returning ashore or not later than 60 minutes after the
last boat finishes the last race of the day, whichever is earlier. It is the sole responsibility
of competitors to ensure that they have tallied correctly. Boats failing to comply with this
procedure will be fined £25 for a first offence. Non-payment of the fine within 24 hours or
a failure by a boat to tally on another day will result in disqualification without a hearing
from the races sailed while untallied. (Any fines received will be donated to local branches
of the RNLI and National Coastwatch Institution.).
This alters rule 63.1.
18.4 A boat that retires from a race and returns to shore shall tally in with the Beach Master as
soon as is practicable.
19, REPLACEMENT OF CREW OR EQUIPMENT
19.1 Substitution of competitors will not be allowed without prior written approval of the race
committee. Requests must be made in writing and lodged with the Beach Master.
19.2 Under exceptional circumstances, the Race Committee may permit a boat to use sails
carrying a distinguishing number other than that required by rule 77 and Appendix G2.
Requests for such substitution must be made in writing in advance and lodged with the
Beach Master. This alters rule 77 and Appendix G2.
20. EQUIPMENT AND MEASUREMENT CHECKS
20.1 A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules and
sailing instructions.
20.2 The Championship measurer will be appointed by the Lark Class Owners Association.
20.3 Each boat shall produce a valid measurement certificate at registration.
20.4 All boats may be scrutinised which consists of
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 Boat weighing
 Boat buoyancy check
20.5 All sails shall have been measured by a class approved measurer prior to being used
during the championships
21. PRIZES
Prizes will be awarded as prescribed in the notice of race.
Trophies will be awarded to the winner of individual races as follows:









Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
Race 4
Race 5
Race 6
Race 7
Race 8
Race 9
Parker Pot
Rondar Plate
Vic Lewis Tankard
Lark Class Owners Association
[To be confirmed]
Windward Sails Trophy
John Baker Trophy
Crewsaver Trophy
City of Plymouth Cup
Other Prizes:
 First position overall
 Helm with greatest improvement in overall position from the last Lark National
championship
 Club with the best performing 4 boats overall
 First helmswoman
 First student helm [Helm & crew in full time higher education during the academic year
to July of this year, not having obtained a 1st degree before that year]
 First student helm in a university owned boat
 First boat outside the main prizes that has competed in at least 4 previous Lark
championships
 First helm aged 35 or over [on first day of championships]
 Highest placed old boat [age to be decided during the championships]
 Highest placed helm/crew combination with a combined weight of at least 23 stone
 Highest placed helm/crew/boat combination with a combined age of at least 70 years
[on first day of championships]
 Helm/crew/boat combination with the greatest combined age
 Highest placed helm competing in his/her first Lark National championship
 Winner of the crews’ race
 Highest placed married couple
22. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Competitors participate in the championship entirely at their own risk. See Fundamental
Rule 4, Decision to Race. The helm and crew of a boat are entirely responsible for their
own safety, whether afloat or ashore, and nothing whether in the Notice of Race or Sailing
Instructions or anywhere else reduces this responsibility.
The organising authority 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.
South Caernarvonshire Y.C. it’s Officers, Helpers and Employees, shall not be held
responsible for any cancellation or change to the Racing Programme caused by inclement
weather. The sole Arbiter of such conditions shall be the Race Committee.
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It is for the helm and crew of the boat to decide whether he/she is fit to sail in the
conditions which he/she will find. By launching or going to sea, and or staying at sea, the
boat helm and crew confirm that they are fit for those conditions and the helm/crew are
competent to sail and compete in them.
Nothing done by the organisers can reduce the responsibility of the boat nor will it make
the organisers responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, however it may
have occurred as a result of the boat taking race and the event and include the Organising
Authority, the Race Committee the Race Officer, patrol boats and beach masters.
The provision of patrol boats does not relieve the boat of her responsibilities. The priority
of the patrol boats is the safety of competitors and the Race Committee can not accept
any responsibility for damage to boats or equipment. The fact that the Race Committee
conducts inspections of a boat does not reduce the responsibilities of the boat set out in
these Sailing Instructions.
23. INSURANCE
Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a
minimum cover of £3,000,000 per event or equivalent.
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Attachment 1: SCHEDULE OF RACES
Practice
Race
Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
Race 4
Race 5
Crews' Race
Race 6
Race 7
Race 8
Race 9
Date
Sat 13th
August
Sun 14th
August
Sun 14th
August
Mon 15th
August
Mon 15th
August
Tue 16th
August
Tue 16th
August
Wed 17th
August
Wed 17th
August
Thur 18th
August
Fri 19th
August
Tide Times
Warning Preferred
/ Heights
Signal
Start† Course Length
(BST)
1455
Gate
T
45mins 4.2 09.34
1055
Following
race 1*
Gate
T
1Hr
4.3 10:08
Gate
T
1Hr
4.3 10:08
1055
Following
race 3*
Line
O
1Hr
4.4 10:42
Line
O
1055
Following
race 5*
Gate
T
Line
T
1 Hr
4.4 11:15
1055
Following
race 6*
Line
T
1Hr
4.3 11:48
Line
T
1055
Gate
O
1055
Gate
O
1Hr
4.4 10:42
1Hr
30mins 4.4 11:15
1Hr
4.3 11:48
1Hr
30mins 4.2 12:22
1Hr
30mins 4.2 12:22
Notes
*On days when two races are scheduled it is intended to race them “back to back” with the
second race starting after completion of the first. To alert competitors that a second race will
begin soon, the International Code Flag F will be flown (See 11.1b).
Races not completed as scheduled may be sailed at a later time, if practicable.
†The
tabulated Start, Course and Length are an indication to the Principal Race Officer and are
NOT necessarily what the start type and course will be. Competitors must ensure they
read the signals on the committee boat to identify the start and course type for each
race.
“Length” is the intended race duration for the first boat to finish.
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Attachment 2: Courses

Course T


Order of marks

Start-1-2-3-4-1-4-1-2-3-Finish
FINISH
LINE
Mark 1 will be at least 0.5 miles
from the start
START
LINE
Course O
FINISH
LINE



Order of marks
Start-1-2-3-1-3-1-2-3-1-3-Finish
The start
will 4
bewill
to leeward of
Mark
Mark 3.
Mark 1 will be at least 0.75
miles from the start
START
LINE
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