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FFAI CHAMPIONSHIP PROTOCOL 2014
INDEX
1. Introduction
2. Duties of the Host Club
3. General Guidelines
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FFAI Championship Protocol
(Guidelines for sailing clubs running events for Flying Fifteens. (www.flying fifteen.ie)
1.0 Introduction
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1.1 It is the agreed policy of the Association to have each event run in a similar fashion
and to indicate in broad terms the modus operandi for and resources required to do
so as each event may count in the national ranking system.
1.2 This document is an amalgam of experience, current practice and successfully
applied policy: to ensure that the event is run with equity to competitors and enable
clubs avoid squandering sometimes limited resources.
2.0 Duties of the Host Club
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2.1 The Event
Date – The dates and venues of all ranking and non-ranking events are generally
settled at the Association’s AGM at the end of each season and published on the
website.
2.2 Notice of Race and Entry
Issue a Notice of Race, with an entry form. The entry form shall contain the
information stipulated in the racing rules of sailing. These should be sent to the Hon
Sec for distribution to Fleet Captains at least four weeks before the event and if
possible be accompanied by a list of local accommodations so competitors may
make their own arrangements.
2.3 Sailing Instructions
Prepare sailing instructions. In practice sailing instructions are issued at registration
time but may be issued at any time earlier. In general, it is best to stick to the
template, just fill in the details. Over prescription and re-arrangement of the
document may lead to insurmountable difficulties later.
2.4 Race Officer
Appointment of an experienced Race Officer. The contribution of the Race
Officer is vital. She/he controls all the racing and his approach will determine the
nature of the event.
The Host Club shall provide an ISA/RYA Approved PRO; the minimum level of
qualification shall be Regional RO Level except for the Championship of Ireland were
it shall be National RO. The Host Club shall inform the Hon. Sec. a
min. of 4 weeks prior to the event of the identity of the PRO. Should the host club
have difficulty in locating a suitably qualified person; please inform the Hon Sec
and the FFAI will be happy to assist in sourcing a suitable person.
2.5 Registration
The club will arrange registration at the appointed times – usually Friday night and
Saturday morning.
Entry fees set by the club shall be inclusive of the fixed capitation fee set at €12 or
£10 per entry. This is to transferred to the FFAI Treasurer or his/her representative at
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the end of the event.
2.6 Protest Committee
Establish early a committee of 3 (and a stand-in) to act in the event of Protests. This is
an important duty of the host club and if not attended to will delay issue of results
and prize giving ceremony. The association may assist in this matter. (The club
should ensure that the requirements of ISAF/RRS are observed). The protest forms can
be copied from the rule book template.
2.7 Sponsorship
The class is ultimately dependant upon sponsorship in various forms to bridge the
gap between realistic and unreasonable racing fees. Sponsorship provides a link to
the community and funding for some part of the event (usually prizes). The class is
always prepared to accept hull stickers. Seeking sponsorship is the host club’s
responsibility
3.0 General Guidelines
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3.1 Races
In general a weekend event consists of 5 races, 3 on day one and 2 on day 2.
Saturday racing should start at an appropriate time; say 11:00 a.m. or later to
facilitate competitors travelling that day. Races are held back to back (this means
back to back) with minimal turnaround. In windy conditions body temperature drops
rapidly).
Sunday racing should start earlier to allow the days racing to be completed no later
than 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. This facilitates early protest resolution, results and those who
have to travel some distance.
The maximum time for races should be 2 hours with 20 minutes to finish. It is
suggested that the first day’s races should last no longer than 1.5 hours again with 20
minutes to finish.
The Championship of Ireland will have 6 or more races, 2 each day. If necessary,
shorten the races to get 2 or 3 races in during the day.
Racing in general should not be started in less than 5 Knots of wind; the Windward
leeward course should be used up to 8-10 knots after that the sausage triangle
course is preferred.
3.2 Marks
Large yellow/orange weighted marks are most suitable. Please make sure
competitors are not confused by local fixed racing marks.
3.3 Rescue
Generally all but novices can look after themselves unless something breaks. Flying
Fifteens are not to be towed ashore (by rescue craft) during a race but should be
anchored outside the course area or moored to any mark, boat etc. This policy will
keep the maximum number of rescue craft in the course area at all times. In cases
of emergency competitors should of course be taken ashore for medical treatment
but otherwise they should be placed on board a mark boat or “mother ship” at the
Rescue Officers discretion.
The best type of rescue craft are RIB’s as they are less likely to cause damage in
close quarters. Failing this well fendered dory type craft are also suitable. In bad
weather/sea conditions keelboats are unsuitable except to provide a degree of
shelter in its lee and to accept competitors transferred via rescue boats.
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3.4 Catering
The Host Club is not required to provide on the water lunches, however, food
immediately available once coming onshore is very much appreciated (a light stew
or soup and rolls). If the Host Club wants to provide lunch the following guide is
recommended –
1. Lunch to be given to each competitor as they leave the slip (lots of space in
FF)
2. If lunch is provided on the water ensure the lunch boat is marked and placed
to windward of the finish.
DO’s – Still drinks, health bars (snickers, mars, Kelloggs etc) fruit.
DON’T’s – Sparkling drinks, crisp rolls and sandwiches that fall apart on contact,
paper napkins.
If the club has catering facilities competitors need to be made aware of the
opening hours.
3.5 Scoring
The FFAI undertakes to provide a scorer with a laptop if necessary, please notify the
Hon Sec in advance. The club will provide a suitable printer. Appendix A 4.1, low point
system will apply, except that:
(a) If only three races are sailed all shall be counted.
(b) One discard shall apply after 4 completed races.
(c) 2 Races will constitute a series.
3.6 Prizes
The class has some perpetual trophies for a number of area events but other prizes are
presented by the Host Club. It is felt that it is better to have a number of cheaper prizes
than to have only a few expensive prizes. The Class Representative will discuss this with
the Host Club. The Association would suggest 1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Silver, 1st, 2nd,
3rd Bronze – 1st Classic. Individual race winner’s prizes are at the discretion of the Host
Club (do not forget there are two crew members in each boat!).
3.7 Personnel Required
Race Office Team (incl. Registration) 2/3
OOD and Team
Protest Team (3 + Co-ordinator)
Rescue Boat Personnel
Launching and Retrieval Staff
Catering Staff
3.8 Pre-event
Approximately seven days before the event check all key personnel know their
responsibilities and timing.
Ensure necessary equipment is available and working. This includes Committee Boat,
Mark Boats and Ground Tackle, Radios, Flags, Guns, Cartridges, Air Horns, Clock,
Result Sheets. Make backups for everything including key people, it is possible for
someone (e.g. the OOD) suddenly not to be able to attend the event!)
The Association has a full set of Flags which will be brought to the Events as a back-up
to Host Club’s resources.
Appendix 1 is a simple Check List which should be filled in and forwarded to Hon. Sec. 14
days prior to the event. In this way, the FFAI can assist the Host Club in any matters/items
which are proving difficult.
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Appendix 1. EVENT Check list
DO NOT ASSUME ANYONE IS DOING WHAT HAS BEEN ASKED OF THEM
BE CERTAIN
LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A
DIFFERENCE
Race office always Need – A float to entry fees (change) paper, pens, cellotape,
stapler, photocopier (& spare toner) telephone and radio, somewhere safe to put the extra
money!
Bar, catering and Club opening times – Do they need changes for event. Can they arrange
for a beach Master and Trolley Team?
Easy availability of food and drink at the right times make a massive
difference A quick turnaround between races (most important)
The right food (see catering)
Fill in and Email to Hon.Sec (ffaihonsec@gmail.com) 2 weeks prior
To event.
1. Committee Boat? Y/N
2. Mark Layer? Y/N
3. Rescue – Photographer on water? Y/N
4. Race Officer? Y/N
5. Where are the prizes? Y/N
6. Has the Commodore been briefed? Y/N
7. Have the sponsors been invited a) to go out and watch?
b) Prize giving (will there be someone to greet them)?
Y/N
8. Are the bar and social facilities in place? Y/N
9. Is the catering (if any) organised? Y/N
10. Has someone turned on the hot water for the showers? Are they
working?
Y/N
11. Has the dinghy park been cleared Y/N
12. Will anyone tidy up the club after the event? Y/N
13. Publicity – is someone going to do an article for Afloat, Y&Y, local
newspapers?
Y/N
14. The club will need extra cleaning during the event Y/N
15. Beach Master with a lot of helpers. Y/N
16. Are there moorings for overnight boats who do not wish to haul out? Y/N
17. Check tide time, launchings, haulout etc Y/N
18. Check that the race area will be clear for the event. Y/N
19. 3 persons available to act as protest committee (see protests) Y/N
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4.0 Notice of Race and Entry Forms
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(Refer to Appendix J, ISAF/RRS) http://www.sailing.org/
The notice of race should contain – J1 – Notice of Race Contents
Simply state the information required.
J1.2 additional information requires –
The FFAI requires that the following information shall be included within the list,
which the club shall issue:
(1) This shall be – category “C” advertising is permitted))
(2) This shall be – the FFAI ranking system shall apply
(4) The entry form. This shall state that the competitor agreed to be bound by
“the rules that govern the event” and to indemnify the club against any
mishap. (See the original phrasing). The 3rd party indemnity appropriate for
2014 is €3 million.
5.0 Notice Of Race (Template) see
http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/AppendixKNoRtemplate-
%5B14238%5D.doc
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6.0 Entry Form Template
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7.0 Sailing Instructions
http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/AppendixLSItemplate-%5B14239%5D.doc
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J2.1
J2.1 requires that the information in section (1) to (7) shall be provided. The FFAI
requires that the following information shall be included:
(3) In addition to the schedule of races “the Race Officer may, with either prior
notice or with an agreed signal made afloat, exercise the option to include
further races”
(4) The championship courses consist of the following:
1) Triangle, Sausage Triangle
2) Sausage, Triangle, Sausage
3) Windward – Leeward
J2.2
The FFAI requires that the following shall be included:
(1) This shall be – category “C” advertising is permitted (Regulation 20)
(11) Procedure for changing sailing instructions
(29) Protest procedures. (The protest form is at the back of the rule book and
may be copied)
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8.0 Sailing Instructions
http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/AppendixLEtemplate-%5B14241%5D.doc
_________________________ _________________________________________________________________
4 ELIGIBILITY
All boats must have a valid Class Certificate.
The Race committee or an Official appointed by the Race Committee may inspect
any competing boat at any time and any boat found not to be in compliance with
the rules of the Flying Fifteen class Association shall be barred from further
competition until the offending matter has been rectified. If any races have already
taken place the boat may, at the discretion of the Race Committee and the Flying
Fifteen Class Association, be disqualified from any or all such races.
All helmsmen / women must be members of the Flying Fifteen Association of Ireland
or their own national association.
The event is designated category “C”. under Appendix I.
5 SAFETY
Personal buoyancy for each crewmember onboard shall be worn. All boats shall
carry paddles, anchorline and bailers in compliance with the Class Rules. The
committee may operate a safety system and if so, details will be posted on the
Official notice board and will form part of these SIs.
6 SAILS AND SAIL NUMBERS
Only certified sails shall be used. Except as permitted by this SI, boats shall use their
correct sail numbers. Permission to sail under any other number shall be sought in
writing from the Race Committee before going afloat and will be granted only in
exceptional circumstances.
7 SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
Signals made ashore will be from the Flagpole. After a postponement has been
signalled from the Club Flagpole, the Warning Signal will be made not less than 60
minutes after this signal has been lowered.
8 DECLARATIONS – SIGN OUT/SIGN IN
9 Before going afloat each day a representative of each boat on behalf of that boat,
shall sign a “Sign Out” Declaration at the Race Office. When returning to shore a
representative of each boat shall on behalf of that boat, sign a “Sign In” Declaration
at the Race Office before the expiration of Protest time. Failure to sign in by the one
and half hour limit after the last boat finishes will result in that boat being scored
“DNF” for all races sailed on that day when either Declaration was not signed.
A club can declare this not to be compulsory for their event.
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RRS 26 (five minute sequence) shall apply. The Class Flag shall be naval pennant 6.
A boat shall not start later than 10 minutes after her starting signal.
11 RETIREMENTS
A boat, which retires from a race, shall make every effort to inform the Race
committee Boat, a Mark Boat, a Rescue Boat or the Race Office as soon as possible.
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22 RESPONSIBILITY
The organising club, its officers and agents, accept no responsibility for any damage
to boats or for personal injury occurring while afloat or ashore. Competitor’s attention
is drawn to RRS fundamental rules 3 & 4 especially in relation to races being run in
heavy weather.
23 STORAGE OF BOATS
Storage for competitor’s boats will be available on club property. The Club and the
Flying Fifteen Class Association accept no responsibility for boats or property left on
moorings or club property.