GP14 Class Association of Ireland
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O’tiarnaigh Challenge 2023 Blessington Sailing Club
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April 22 / 23
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NOTICE OF RACE

1 RULES

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

1.2 The prescriptions of Irish Sailing and the rules of the GP14 Class Association will apply.

1.3 Racing rule(s) amendments and changes: Any changes will appear in full in the sailing instructions and a notice will be posted on the official notice board.

2 ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

2.1 Entry is open to all boats of the International GP14 Class.

2.2 All boats shall have a valid class certificate of registration issued prior to the event.

2.3 Helms shall be a member of the International GP14 Class Association.

2.4 payment link for entry will be posted on the GP14 WhatsApp group, we’ll happily accept cash on the day.

3 SAILS AND SAIL NUMBERS

3.1 Only certified sails shall be used.

3.2 Permission to sail under any other sail number shall be sought in writing from the race committee before going afloat and will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

4 ENTRY FEE

€50 per boat

€25 per boat - if Helm & Crew under 22 on 1/01/23

5 VENUE

The venue will be Blessington Sailing Club

6 SAFETY REGULATIONS

Competitors shall wear a personal flotation device at all times when afloat. This changes RRS 40. Wetsuits and drysuits are not considered to be adequate.

7 RADIO COMMUNICATION

Except in an emergency, a boat that is racing shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats.

8 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

The sailing instructions will be available on registration at the race office.

9 SCHEDULE

9.1 Registration: Saturday 22 April from 09.00 to 10.30.

9.2 Briefing: A briefing will be held at 10.30 on Saturday 22 April

9.3 Racing:

Sat. 22 April Warning Signal 1200 hours

Sun. 23 April Warning Signal 1100 hours

9.4 Ten races are scheduled

9.5 On the last scheduled race day no warning signal will be made after 15.30.

10 THE COURSES

The courses to be sailed will be outlined in the sailing instructions.

11 SCORING

Competitors will race in two separate fleets.

Seeding for Saturdays racing will be based on 2022 league results.

The scores from Saturdays fleet results will denote the seeding for the division of fleets for Sundays racing.

The scores will not carry forward.

If six or more races are completed on Saturday, one discard will be allowed.

If eight races or more are completed on Saturday, two discards will be allowed.

Three qualifying races will take place on Sunday.

Race three will be worth double points.

The top two boats, of the gold, silver and bronze fleets, from each division , will progress to a single race final.

12 RISK STATEMENT

Rule 4 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue to race is hers alone”

Sailing by its nature is an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:

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

13 INSURANCE

Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of €3 million or the equivalent.

14 PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded for first ,second and third overall in the Bronze,Silver and Gold fleets.

15 OTHER INFORMATION

15.1 Camping will be available as will parking for caravans.

15.2 Boat & road-trailor storage will be provided at the Club dinghy park.

15.3 All competitors will be granted Honorary Membership of the Club for the duration of the event.

For further information please contact:

Richard Street 087 2713072 / Richardstreet70@gmail.com