Notice of Race

Organising Authority

ORGANISING AUTHORITY: The Organising Authority is the British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA), in association with British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and in conjunction with the Brunel University Sailing Club and Datchet Water Sailing Club.

1. Rules

1.1. The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).


1.2. The bye-laws of Datchet Water Sailing Club will apply and may be found at www.dwsc.co.uk


1.3. The Post-race Penalty and the Advisory Hearing and RYA Arbitration of the RYA Rules Disputes Procedures will be available. The Post-race penalty will be 30%. Decisions from RYA Arbitration can be referred to a protest committee, but cannot be reopened or appealed.


1.4. RRS 40.1 will apply at all times whilst afloat, including whilst on the pontoons.

2. Sailing Instructions

2.1. Sailing instructions will be posted on the online Official Notice Board (see NoR 3.1) no later than Sunday, 14th November 2021.


2.2. Printed copies will not be available at registration.

3. Communication

3.1. The official Notice Board will be online only at the following URL: https://officialnoticeboard.online/busa


3.2. In addition to the Official Notice Board the messaging system Telegram will be used to communicate with competitors. Telegram is similar to WhatsApp but has better privacy and some other advantages for large events. Please download Telegram for your Smart Phone and/or Laptop prior to the event from the links on https://telegram.org. Full details will be published in the Sailing Instructions.


3.3. While racing, except in an emergency, a boat shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones.

4. Eligibility and Entry

4.1. To be eligible each competitor must meet the BUCS General Regulations (Reg 4 Individual Eligibility). https://www.bucs.org.uk/rules-and-regulations/general-regulations/reg-4-individual-eligibility.html


4.2. All competitors must be from an institution which is currently a member of the British Universities Sailing Association, or be an individual member of the British University Sailing Association.


4.3. The helm and any crew of a boat must be from the same institution.


4.4. All competitors shall enter through BUCSPlay. This includes any reserves who may be used. Each entry must confirm the Competitors/Fleet/Class/Sail number in order to enter the event. The ‘Stage 1’ entry deadline is 23:59 on Tuesday 26th October 2021 with IA Admin approval required by 23:59 on Thursday 28th October 2021.


4.5. After the entry deadline, and in the event of an institution wishing to change the crew selected to race in a particular boat, it must apply to the Organising Authority for permission to do so. The Organising Authority will only give permission where the replacement crew has also been registered on BUCSPlay on the ‘Competitors and Reserves List’. Any crew, boat, or sail number change requests made to the Organising Authority after 23:59pm on Thursday 18th November will incur a £5 donation to the Sail4Cancer charity.


4.6. ‘Stage 2 – competitors’ entry deadline is 23:59 on Tuesday 2nd November 2021, with AU Admin approval by 23:59 on Thursday 4th November 2021, entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Organising Authority and will incur an additional 20% fee per boat on top of the entry fee. No entries will be accepted after 23.59 on Tuesday 16th November 2021.


4.7. Reserves must be entered through BUCSPlay onto the BUCS Sailing Competitors and Reserves List by 23.59 on 16th November 2021, with AU Admin approval required by 23:59 on Thursday 18th November 2021


4.8. The regatta is open to all boats of the following classes:
4.8.1. Firefly
4.8.2. ILCA Handicap (Inc ILCA 4,6,7)
4.8.3. Slow Handicap and Fast Handicap Fleets – dinghies with Portsmouth Yardstick Numbers between 1240 and 700. Portsmouth Yardstick Numbers can be viewed on the RYA website- http://www.rya.org.uk/racing/Pages/portsmouthyardstick.aspx. The split between the fleets will be decided after entries have closed. The decision of the Organising Authority or Race Committee as to which division a boat shall compete in shall not be grounds for redress. This changes RRS 62.1(a). Boats with a handicap outside of this range or without a published Portsmouth Yardstick Number may be accepted at the discretion of the OA. (NB. on BUCSPlay entries will be split into single and double handers. This is purely due to the admin of the online entry system and not how the fleets are split for the event.)
4.8.4. All craft entering the event must be in a good state of repair and adequately prepared for winter sailing. Any craft deemed by the Organising Authority or Race Committee to present a danger to its crew or the event may be excluded from the event or prevented from going afloat under RRS 76.1.
Notice of Race BRITISH UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES SPORT FLEET RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 Page 2


4.9. Any class which receives fewer than 15 entries may be cancelled or merged with another class at the discretion of the Organising Authority.


4.10. Each Institution is limited to 15 entries in the 1st Stage. More can be added before the closing of Stage 1; however they will not be confirmed until the OA has reviewed the entry numbers and if there is sufficient space at the event. These will be allocated on a first come first served basis and are subject to approval from the Organising Authority.


4.11. All competitors must produce at registration their University Registration/Matriculation Card - an NUS card will not suffice.


4.12. All sail numbers must be clearly displayed. No changes of sail number will be permitted except with the prior written permission of the Race Committee (for example all Fireflies shall have a sail number corresponding to their hull plaque number).

5. Fees

5.1. Required fees are as follows: Single handed boats: £75 Double handed boats: £110


5.2. Entries shall be made via the BUCSPlay online entry system. All member athletic/student unions have access to this system. If an institution does not have access or cannot enter please contact the BUCS office.

6. Advertising

6.1. Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the organizing authority.

7. Qualifying Series

7.1. Racing will take place in a single series

8. Schedule

8.1. Registration: Registration will take place at Datchet Water Sailing Club at the following times:-


Friday 19th November 2021 1500hrs – 1900hrs
Saturday 20th November 2021 0800hrs – 0915hrs


8.2. A Briefing will be pre-recorded and available to view on the online Official Notice Board (see NoR 3.1) from Wednesday 17th November. All helms and crews are required to watch the briefing.

8.3 Schedule Of Races

Saturday 20th November 

  • Race 1 Warning Signal: 10:55hrs 
  • Race 2 Warning Signal: as soon as possible after Race 1 
  • Race 3 Warning Signal: as soon as possible after Race 2

Sunday 21st November

  • Race 4 Warning Signal: 10.25hrs 
  • Race 5 Warning Signal: as soon as possible after Race 4
  • Race 6 Warning Signal: as soon as possible after Race 5

 

8.4. The Race Committee may alter the schedule of races, including the start times. Any changes to the schedule of races or start times shall be posted on the Official Notice Board before 20:00hrs on the day before the day the changes are to take effect.


8.5. One additional race may be sailed on any day, this does not constitute a change to the schedule. The Race Committee will display Flag F to signify that an additional race is to be sailed.


8.6. Two completed races are required to constitute a series.

9. Equipment

9.1. If applicable, each boat shall possess a valid measurement certificate.


9.2. All competitors shall also wear wet suits or dry suits whilst afloat.


9.3. Launching trolleys for all craft shall have a line of at least 2 metres attached to aid recovery on the slipway.

10. Venue

10.1. Datchet Water Sailing Club, Queen Mother Reservoir, Horton Rd, Horton, Slough SL3 9NT

11. Courses

11.1. The courses will be described in the Sailing Instructions but will predominantly consist of windward/leeward legs using laid marks.

12. Penalty System

12.1. For infringements of rules other than in Parts 1, 2 or 3 of the RRS, the penalty for a breach of a rule may, at the discretion of the protest committee, be less than disqualification.


12.2. Boats shall be kept in their assigned places in the boat park. No cars are permitted to park in the boat park. There will be a boat ‘drop off’ system in place at the sailing club. Save when approved by the organising authority, road trailers must not be kept at the upper level car park.

13. Scoring

13.1. The Low Points scoring system of RRS Appendix A will apply.


13.2. A boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst scores as listed:

Races complete 

1-3 Races: Scores Excluded - 0 

4-6 Races: Scores Excluded - 1

14. Support Person Vessels

14.1. Support Person Vessels will not be allowed on the water.

15. Chartered Or Loaned Boats

15.1. A chartered or loaned boat may carry national letters or a sail number in contravention of her class rules, provided that the race committee has approved her sail identification before the first race.

16. Berthing

16.1. Boats shall be kept in their assigned places in the boat park. No cars are permitted to park in the boat park. There will be a boat ‘drop off’ system in place at the sailing club.


16.2. Save when approved by the organising authority, road trailers must not be kept at the upper level car park.

17. Data Protection

17.1. The personal information you provide to the Organising Authority will be used to facilitate your participation in the event. If you have agreed to be bound by the Racing Rules of Sailing and the other rules that govern the event (the rules), the legal basis for processing that personal information is contract. If you are not bound by the rules, the legal basis for processing that personal information is legitimate interest. Your personal information will be stored and used in accordance with the Organising Authority’s privacy policy. When required by the rules, personal information may be shared with the RYA and/or World Sailing. The results of the event and the outcome of any hearing or appeal may be published.

18. Risk Statement

18.1. Rule 3 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.”
Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently 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 accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;
b) They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their 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) Their 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, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers by the organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;
f) The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances;
g) It is their 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 and to attend any competitor briefing held for the event;

19. Insurance

19.1. Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £2,000,000 per event or equivalent

20. Prizes

20.1. Prizes will be awarded as follows and in accordance with BUCS Regulation 19:

20.1.1. Men’s Team Prize: The Men’s team prize will be awarded to teams from the same institution which has the 3 boats of all males having the combined lowest score. Each boat must have raced in a class which has 15 or more entries. If a class has less than 15 entries and is combined with another class, a boat which would have raced in the former class will not count. BUCS points are awarded to the top 8 teams.
20.1.2. Women’s Team Prize: The Women’s team prize will be awarded to teams from the same institution which has the 3 boats of all females who have the combined lowest score. Each boat must have raced in a class which has 15 or more entries. If a class has less than 15 entries and is combined with another class, a boat which would have raced in the former class will not count. BUCS points are awarded to the top 8 teams.
20.1.3. BUCS Medals and points will be awarded to boats placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Firefly, ILCA Handicap, Fast Handicap and Slow Handicap fleets. Boats placed 4th in the Firefly, ILCA Handicap, Fast Handicap and Slow Handicap fleets will also be awarded BUCS points.

20.2 BUCS Points 

BUCS Points allocations

1st: 20 Team Points/12 Fleet Points

2nd: 14 Team Points/8 Fleet Points

3rd: 10 Team Points/6 Fleet Points

4th: 7 Team Points/4 Fleet Points

5th: 5 Team Points

6th: 3 Team Points

7th: 2 Team Points

8th: 1 Team Point 
 

21. Further Information

For information about entry and BUCSPlay please contact James Francis,  BUCS Event Adminstrator. 

For Organising Authority queries, please contact Karen Rawson, BUSA Administrator.