New York Classic Week
Sailing Instructions 2011

1. Rules.  All races will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing, the prescriptions of the United States Sailing Association (except as any of these are altered by these sailing instructions) and by these sailing instructions. The racing program is designated Category C.

2. Entry.  To enter this regatta, yachts must complete a registration form and be accepted by the Regatta Organizers.

3. Notices to Competitors.  Any Notices to Competitors will be posted on the Official Notice Area on front door of the Manhattan Sailing School floating classroom docked in the south east corner of North Cove.

4. Changes in Sailing Instructions.  Any change in the sailing instructions will be posted on the Official Notice Area before 1000 of the day they take effect.

5. Signals Made Ashore.  Any signals made ashore will be displayed from the Floating Classroom.  Code Flag "AP" with two horn signals means "Racing is postponed."  No Warning Signal shall be made less than 45 minutes following the lowering of AP ashore.

6. Schedule of Competition
Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 1200 - Verrazano Bridge Race
Sunday, October 9, 201, 1200 - Statue of Liberty Race
Monday, October 10, 2011, 1200 - Round Governors Island Race

7. Racing Area.  The racing area will be in the lower Hudson River and Upper Bay of New York Harbor.

8. Start & Finish Lines.  All races will start and finish from an orange flag off the south side of North Cove and an orange inflatable buoy dropped by the race committee in the Hudson River.  All races will start in a southerly direction and finish in a northerly direction.

9. Courses.  The courses will be around government buoys as determined by the course sheets posted on the website.  The Race Committee will announce the course for each class over VHF CH 69 before the warning signal.

10. Starting Signals.  All yachs shall start together.  The Starting Sequence shall begin at 12 noon and be as follows:

  • When the Yellow flag raised with 1 long sound signal, will signal 10 minutes to start of Classic Division
  • Yellow flag lowered at 6 minutes before start.
  • Blue flag raised with 1 long sound signal - [Preparatory Signal]  5 minutes to start of Classic Division
  • Blue flag lowered at 1 minute before start.
  • Red flag raised with 1 long sound signal - Start.

Code-Flag-X.jpg (875 bytes)11. Recalls.  Code Flag "X" with one short sound signal will indicate that one or more boats are over early.  The race committee will hail the sail number of yachts over early on VHF CH 69.  As each boat re-crosses the line and becomes clear, the Race Committee will dip Code Flag "X" and announce the boat being cleared on VHF CH 69.  When all boats are clear, Code Flag "X" will be dropped.

Code-Flag-S.jpg (541 bytes)12. Shortening Course After the Start.  The Race Committee reserves the right to shorten the course by finishing the race at any mark.  When the race will be shortened, the Race Committee will signal with two horns blasts and fly Code flag "S."   The Race Committee will also announce the change over VHF CH 69.  Yachts shall finish at the designated mark by passing the mark on the course designated and between a race committee boat.

13. Cancellation of Race in Progress.  The Race Committee has the authority to cancel any race at any time.

14. Time Limit, Weather, etc.  The Race Committee shall use use common sense and has the authority to end any race at any time for circumstances such as increasing current, approaching weather, etc.  If a race is ended after one or more boats finish, those having finished will be scored in order of finish.  Yachts not finished shall all be scored one more than the number of finishers.

15. Retirement.  A yacht that retires from a race is asked to notify the race committee before leaving the race area. 

16. Communication & Assistance from Race Committee.  The Race Committee will monitor VHF CH 69.  The Race Committee is allowed to respond to any questions from sailors even after the race has started and any such answers from the race committee will not be considered outside assistance.   However, sailors are responsible for knowing the rules and incorrect or misinterpreted information from the race committee on the water is not grounds for protest and does not circumvent the sailing instructions.

17. Right of Way for Commercial Traffic.  The USCG Permit for Marine Event states, "The sponsor shall ensure that the participants in your event understand that they are subject to the Inland Navigation Rules, specifically Rule 9(b), which prohibits sailing vessels from crossing ahead or otherwise impeding the passage of commercial vessels which can only safely navigate within the channel."  All commercial vessels shall have right of way over all racing sailboats. The race committee may disqualify a yacht at its discretion without a hearing for any interference with commercial vessels.

19. Protests.  Protests are not encouraged in the spirit of classic racing.  We request yachts use sportsmanship to communicate and decide situations among themselves without the need of a third party.  However, if a yacht  wishes to file a protest, the race committee must be notified in the proper manner.

20. Ratings.  The Classic Rating Formula will be used to adjust times and determine winners.  This formula will be used to calculate time-on-time corrections as opposed to time-on-distance.  In race areas like New York Harbor which have varying amounts of current, time-on-time delivers more accurate results than time-on-distance because actual distances sailed by each yacht will vary depending on current. 

21. Prizes.  Prizes will be awarded for each race.

22. Sail Limitations.  Spinnaker or other special sails used for sailing on a reach or a downwind direction are prohibited.

 

 


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