January 2024

1 RULES

1.1 Racing will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2 Prescriptions of the RYA will apply.
1.3 The appropriate Class Rules will apply.
1.4 If there is a conflict between languages the English text will take precedence.

2 NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

2.1 Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located at the Race Control Hut or as directed by the OOD at an alternative location.

3 CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted at least 30 minutes before the start of any race in which it will take effect.

4 SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

4.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed at the Race Control Hut.

5 SCHEDULE OF RACES

5.1 The schedule of races is as defined in the Sailing Programme.
5.2 The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race each day is 5 minutes before the start time indicated on the sailing programme.
5.3 After a long postponement, to alert boats that a race or sequence of races will begin soon, an orange flag will be displayed with one sound at least four minutes before a warning signal is displayed.

6 CLASS FLAGS

6.1 Class flags will be:

7 RACING AREAS

7.1 Attachment A shows the location of the racing area and hazards on the water. The Racing area will be within the boundaries defined by Dwr Cymru / Welsh Water.

8 THE COURSES

8.1 The courses will be displayed as a list of marks together with the side on which they are to be rounded either at the Race Control Hut or on the committee boat.  All boats will pass through the start line on every lap before rounding the first mark.  Generally to finish a boat must pass through the start line in the same direction as for the start.
8.2 A race may be shortened by displaying the flag ‘S’ and the class flag accompanied by two sound signals
(OR)
8.3 A race may be shortened if using lights by a red light accompanied by two sound signals.
In races other than Pursuit Races after the signal to shorten boats shall finish when they next cross the finish line. The elapsed finish time and the number of laps will be recorded for each boat and results calculated by the use of average lap times. If possible all boats of the same class shall complete the same number of laps. 
In Pursuit Races the finish signal will be made at the advertised number of minutes after the start. Boats must continue sailing until all positions have been noted. Each helmsman shall note the boats immediately in front and behind, and will be expected to produce this as evidence in any protest.
This changes Rule 32
8.4 Legs of the course will not be changed after the preparatory signal. This changes Rule 33.

9 MARKS

9.1 Course marks are fixed buoys on which flags may be flown. Their approximate position is shown on Attachment A. Temporary buoys may also be laid. Flags are intended to assist the competitors, but do not alter the responsibility to sail the course as indicated in instruction 8.1
9.2 The starting and finishing marks will be course marks or temporary buoys, the committee boat may also be used as a mark.

10 AREAS THAT ARE OBSTRUCTIONS

10.1 Areas outside the permitted sailing area defined by Dwr Cymru / Welsh Water are designated as obstructions.

11 THE START

11.1 Races will be started by using Rule 26 with the warning signal made 5 minutes before the starting signal. 
(OR) 
11.2 For club races from the Race Control Hut, or the committee boat, lights may be used for starting as follows: 

This changes Rule 26. 
11.3 The starting line will be the line between the rear pole on the start side of the committee boat and a course mark or temporary buoy.
(OR)
11.4 When a shored based start is used, the starting line will be the line of the transit formed by the Race Control Hut’s fixed and movable staff. Inner and /or outer limit marks may be used and will be indicated on the course instructions.
11.5 Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall avoid the starting area during the starting sequence for other races.
11.6 A boat starting later than 10 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start without a hearing. This changes Rules A4 and A5.
11.7 Individual Recalls will be made in accordance with Rule 29.1
(OR) 
11.8 If using lights by displaying a green light with one sound signal
11.9 General Recalls will be made in accordance with Rule 29.2.
(OR)
11.10 If using lights by displaying a red light with two sound signals.

12 CHANGE OF THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE

12.1 The position of marks will not be altered during a race. 

13 THE FINISH

13.1 The finishing line will be the same as the start line.
(OR)
13.2 When a shored based start is used, the finishing line will be the line of the transit formed by the Race Control Hut’s fixed and movable staff. Inner and / or outer limit marks may be used and will be indicated on the course instructions.

14 PENALTY SYSTEM

14.1 The penalties are as follows:
14.2 If a boat on one occasion during a race accidentally rounds any mark the wrong way and thus fails to sail the course, if  she promptly completes a One Turn penalty she will be scored as if she sailed the course. If the error is repeated and not unwound as Rule 28.2 or not discovered until the race is complete, 30 seconds will be added to her recorded “finishing time” or she will drop two finishing places in a pursuit race. This changes Rule 28.2 
14.3 If a boat touches any mark a one-turn penalty is incurred. 
14.4 Rule 44.1 is changed so that the two-turns penalty is replaced by a one-turn penalty.
14.5 The One-Turns penalty Rule 44.2 will apply to all races

15 TIME LIMITS

15.1 Boats failing to finish within 30 minutes after the first boat sails the course and finishes may be scored Did Not Finish without a hearing. This changes Rules 35, A4 and A5.

16 PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS

16.1 Simplified Club Racing Protest Procedure
16.2 Where an incident is not resolved on the water the protesting helm is to tell the OOD that he or she is protesting before the OOD leaves club that day.
16.3 The protesting helm is to submit details and witnesses by email to racing.team@llandegfedd.org.uk within two days after race day 
16.4 Race Team to contact witnesses and make a decision as quickly as possible but no later than 14 days after race day.
16.5 Decision will be:- disqualification of one or more boats
  OR Imposition of a lesser penalty 
  OR No action where there is no clear evidence of an infringement

17 SCORING

17.1 The low points system will apply. For club Series Rules A8 and A5.3 will apply.
17.2 A race will only be scored if at least two boats come to the start area and one boat finishes the course.
17.3 One race is required to be completed to constitute a series.
17.4 The number of scores to be counted for Club Series will be half the total number of races completed plus one in the case of an even total number of races; or half the total number rounded up to the next whole number in the case of an odd total number of races.
17.5 Scoring will be for the helm or regular helm and crew  team and not the boat.  Within a regular helm and crew team they may swop roles without restriction. The helm to inform a Club Officer of their regular crew at the beginning of a series.
17.6 Helms may use different boats during a series; however, each boat will count as a separate entry for that series except as specified in 17.8. If the boat is of the same class it will count as one entry. 
17.7 Series results obtained in different boats can be accumulated to count towards the club championships.
17.8 A helm with a boat with multiple size rigs may opt to use different rigs and be treated as one entry in a series provided that the results secretary is informed. The lowest handicap rating will be used for all races e.g. if a normally full rig Laser uses a Radial rig they will still be scored on a full rig handicap. 
17.9 If boats of the same class complete a different number of laps and the boat completing the lesser number of laps on average lap times beats one doing a greater number its position will be changed so it is behind any doing a greater number.

18 SAFETY REGULATIONS

18.1 Competitors shall wear buoyancy aids at all times while afloat.
18.2 A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as possible.
18.3 Members must sign on online or with the OOD before taking to the water or they may not get a result.
18.4 If racing has to be abandoned due to electric storms, deteriorating weather, loss of rescue cover or other factors the OOD will sound the horn four or more times and switch  all three lights on or raise signal flag N. Return ashore immediately.

19 REPLACEMENT OF CREW OR EQUIPMENT

19.1 A helm may use a different crew during a series. 
19.2 Substitution of damaged boats will not be permitted unless authorised by the Race Officer. Requests should be made at the first reasonable opportunity.

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. A boat and equipment must comply with its class rules and sailing instructions.

21 ADVERTISING

Not used.

22 OFFICIAL BOATS

Not used.

23 SUPPORT BOATS

23.1 Not used.

24 TRASH DISPOSAL

24.1 Boats shall not put trash in the water. Trash may be placed aboard support and race committee boats.

25 HAUL-OUT RESTRICTIONS

Not used.

26 DIVING EQUIPMENT AND PLASTIC POOLS

Not used.

27 RADIO COMMUNICATION

27.1 Except in an emergency a boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones.

28 PRIZES

Not used.

29 RISK STATEMENT

29.1 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 involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:

1. 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;
2. They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;
3. They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;
4. Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;
5. The provision of a race management team, patrol boats, umpires and other officials and volunteers by the organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;
6. The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances;

30 INSURANCE

30.1 Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £3,000,000 per event or the equivalent.January 2023

Attachment A - Map of buoys and Hazards at Llandegfedd Reservoir

Racing Area map. The Buoys shown are fixed Buoys that will not be moved. They are numbered clockwise around the sides of the reservoir, and have letters down the middle.

The red shaded areas are those designated by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water as "No Sailing Areas". No sailors should approach nearer than 50 yards from the bank, or to fishermen in boats.

Attachment B (references to RRS 2021 - 2024, included for guidance)

RULE 26 STARTING RACES

Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.

The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.

RULE 29 RECALLS

29.1 Individual Recall

When at a boat’s starting signal any part of her hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line or she must comply with Rule 30.1, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound. The flag shall be displayed until all such boats are completely on the pre-start side of the starting line or one of its extensions and have complied with Rule 30.1 if it applies, but not later than four minutes after the starting signal or one minute before any later starting signal, whichever is earlier.
If Rule 30.3 applies this rule does not.

29.2 General Recall

When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side of the starting line or to which rule 30 applies, or there has been an error in the starting procedure, the race committee may signal a general recall (display the First Substitute with two sounds). The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound), and the starts for any succeeding classes shall follow the new start.

32 SHORTENING OR ABANDONING AFTER THE START

32.2 If the race committee signals a shortened course (displays flag S with two sounds), the finishing line shall be,

(a) at a rounding mark, between the mark and a staff displaying flag S;
(b) at a line boats are required to cross at the end of each lap, that line;
(c) at a gate, between the gate marks.

The shortened course shall be signalled before the first boat crosses the finishing line.

42 PROPULSION

42.1 Basic Rule; Except when permitted in Rule 42.3 or 45, a boat shall compete by using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed. Her crew may adjust the trim of sails and hull, and perform other acts of seamanship, but shall not otherwise move their bodies to propel the boat.

44 PENALTIES

44.2 One-Turn and Two-Turns Penalty Penalties
After getting well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as possible, a boat takes a one-Turn or Two-Turns Penalty by promptly making the required number of turns in the same direction, each turn including one tack and one gybe. When a boat takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, she shall sail completely to the course side of the line before finishing.

A8 SERIES TIES

A8.1  If there is a series-score tie between two or more boats, each boat’s race scores shall be listed in order of best to worst, and at the first point(s) where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favour of the boat(s) with the best score(s). No excluded scores shall be used.
 A8.2  If a tie remains between two or more boats, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in the last race. Any remaining ties shall be broken by using the tied boats’ scores in the next-to-last race and so on until all ties are broken. These scores shall be used even if some of them are excluded scores.