Audi Hamilton Island Race Week - Notice of Race 2012

1. Invitation
The Hamilton Island Yacht Club Inc (HIYC), as the organising authority, invites entries from owners and charterers of suitable boats to race on the waters of the Whitsunday Passage and surrounding waters between 18th August and 25th August 2012.

2. Rules
2.1 The races will be governed by the rules as defined in the 2009 – 2012 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), Special Regulations of Yachting Australia (YA), the 2012 IRC rule (parts 1, 2 & 3) where applicable, the class rules for any one design classes where applicable, all as modified by the Sailing Instructions.
2.2 Amendments made to this Notice-of-Race prior to 18th August 2012 will be published on the event web site (www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com), and details of amendments made after that date will be posted on the Regatta Notice board at Race headquarters.
2.3 An International Jury constituted as specified in RRS Appendix N will be appointed. The Jury’s decisions will be final, in accordance with RRS 70.5.  An arbitration procedure as detailed in the Sailing Instructions may be offered for protests involving an alleged breach of RRS Part 2.
2.4 RRS 52 is amended to permit powered winches for boats over 14.0m LOA.
2.5 RRS 50.2 is amended to permit boats to tack spinnakers to bowsprits and retractable spinnaker poles.
2.6 Boats not racing in an IRC Class shall request permission from the Race Committee to use movable and/or variable ballast for the purpose of increasing stability. Any such request must be accompanied by full details of the system involved, and any such system will be taken into account in establishing the yacht's handicap. Stored power may be used for the operation of movable ballast systems. Rules 51 and 52 are modified to the extent required by this paragraph.
2.7 For the purpose of IRC Rules 21.1.5 (d) and (e) this regatta is on consecutive days and the sails on board shall remain the same.

3. Classes & Handicaps
3.1 The event will be handicapped in the following classes or as determined under NoR 3.2

3.2 The organising authority may alter, amalgamate or divide any class and may add classes as required. The organising authority may cancel any class if fewer than seven entries have been received by the closing date.  In this event, boats that have entered will have the option of transferring to another class (if eligible) or having their entry fee refunded.
3.3. Handicaps (TCC) for IRC Classes will be obtained from IRC rating certificates.  One Design will compete off scratch without handicaps. For all other classes, handicaps will be issued by Hamilton Island Yacht Club Handicap Committee and will not be grounds for redress (alters RRS 60.1 and 62).
3.4       South Pacific Trophy Team Event
3.4.1    There will be a Team Event for the South Pacific Trophy concurrent with Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012.
A two boat National Team may be entered into the South Pacific Trophy event.
3.4.2    Each Nation may only enter one team.  A team will consist of one boats from IRC Class A with a TCC 1.16 and above, and one boat from IRC Class B or Class C with a TCC below 1.16.   
3.4.3    At least 40% (rounded up e.g. a crew of 9 = 4) of the crew of each boat on board in any race will comprise individuals who are Nationals of the country of the relevant team or individuals who have since 1st August 2011 had their principal residence in that country or individuals who were born in that country.  Proof of Nationality, residence or birth may be required.
3.4.4    The South Pacific Trophy Teams Events will be scored on each Team’s boats’ best eight races.

4. Eligibility and Classes
4.1 IRC Classes boats shall hold a valid IRC 2012 rating certificate at the time of the races. Boats shall submit a copy of their certificate at registration.  No alteration to the certificate will be permitted after that time except as a result of a rating protest, or to correct rating errors.
4.2.1    IRC Class A Grand Prix will have:-
LOA:   12 m or longer
IRC Hull Factor:  10.0 or higher.  
IRC DLR:    160 or lower.
IRC TCC:    1.16 or higher 
IRC Age Date:    2000 or later
Boats which meet the requirements for IRC Class A shall race in that Class. 
Boats that do not meet all the requirements for IRC Class A and have a TCC of 1.35 or greater may be considered for entry into that Class by application to the Race Committee, however any such boats shall not be eligible scoring in the Audi IRC Australian Championship 2012.
IRC Class B Passage will be:-
IRC rated boats that do not meet the requirements of IRC Class A that have a TCC of 1.07 and higher.
IRC Class C Passage will be:-
IRC rated boats that do not meet the requirements of IRC Class A that have a TCC of 1.069 and lower.
4.2.2    IRC Certificates showing Age Date as One Design (OD) shall use their series date to determine her IRC Class.
4.2.3    Boats entered into any IRC Class shall also be entered into the Audi IRC Australian Championships 2012 unless a boat expressly requests not to be entered into that Championship.   
4.3 One Design Keelboat Class will have a current Class One Design Certificate, which will be lodged with the Race Committee prior to the commencement of racing.  One Design Classes will sail a mixture of passage races and windward/leeward races.
4.4 SB3 Class and Melges 32 Class will have a current Class One Design Certificate. SB3 Class will sail windward/leeward races.  Melges 32 Class Classes will sail a mixture of passage races and windward/leeward races.
4.5 Performance Racing Class will be less than 24.5 m LOA and will be handicapped by the HIYC Handicap Committees.  Performance Racing Class will sail predominately passage races.
4.6 Cruising Classwill be fitted out to cruising standards and will typically have working sails of Dacron construction unless the race committee grants dispensation. Boats shall advise the Race Committee at the time of entry of the sails carried aboard and their material construction. The Race Committee may reject boats that do not meet the spirit and intention of Cruising Class.  Cruising Class will sail passage races with islands as course marks.
4.7 Non–spinnaker Class will be the same requirements as for Cruising Class, but shall not carry a spinnaker at any time whilst racing.  Non-Spinnaker Class will sail passage races with islands as course marks.
4.8 Super Multi-Hull Class will have a current OMR (Offshore Multihull Rule) certificate and be over 15 m LOA with a OMR rating over 1.044.  Super Multi-Hull Class will sail passage races with islands as course marks.

4.9 SuperYachts Class will be boats over 24.5 m LOA and will be handicapped by the HIYC Handicap Committees.  SuperYacht Class will sail passage races with islands as course marks.
4.10 Boats not having sail numbers are required to carry identification numbers on the hull which will be provided by the Race Committee. 
4.11 Further information on the type of racing offered in the above classes can be found under the “Which Class for me” tab on the event website.

5. Safety
5.1 IRC Classes A & B and Super Multi-Hulls: The safety regulations will be YA Special Regulations for Category 3 races for the Club Marine Long Race and YA Special Regulations for Category 5 for all other races
5.2 SB3 Class: The safety regulation will be Special Regulations for Category 6 races.
5.3 All other Classes:  The safety regulations will be YA Special Regulations for Category 5 races.

6. Schedule of Events

The Race Committee may make changes to this schedule at any time.

7. Registration
All boats are required to complete Registration at the Regatta Office between 1300-1700 hrs on Thursday 16th or between 1000-1700 hrs Friday 17th August 2012.   All IRC boats shall submit a copy of their IRC certificate at registration.

8. Entries
8.1  Entries to be made electronically through the event web site no later than 3rd August 2012.  Entries lodged after 3rd August 2012 may be accepted at the discretion of the Race Committee.
8.2  Boats intending to carry advertising will indicate this on their entry form along with the names of companies and/or products to be advertised.

9. Sailing Instructions
It is the intention to have the Sailing Instructions available on the event web site from Monday 6th August. Printed copies will be provided to all competitors on registration at the Regatta Office.

10. Scoring System
The scoring system will be the Low Point System, RRS Appendix A except if there are four or less races sailed for a class or division then all races will count.  One race will constitute a series.

11. Conditions of Entry
11.1 By lodging an entry, the owner/charterer agrees to be bound by all the rules and conditions of the races.
11.2 By lodging an entry, the owner/charterer acknowledges the possibility of and accepts the risks associated with (a) the perils of the sea; (b) the seaworthiness or otherwise of any yacht participating in Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012; (c) the participation, including negligent participation, by all persons in Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012, including participation as owner, charterer, crew person, official, race organiser or otherwise; (d) the defaults, acts and omissions, of Hamilton Island Yacht Club Inc. and its officers, and the crews of all boats.
11.3 By lodging an entry, the owner/charterer acknowledges and accepts that Hamilton Island Yacht Club Inc. (a) does not and cannot control, diminish or affect the perils of the sea; (b) does not certify, or carry out inspections with respect to the seaworthiness or suitability to race of any yacht; (c) is not in a position to provide advice, assistance or support to boats and crews during the course of a race.
11.4 By lodging an entry, the owner/charterer agrees that (a) he/she will ensure that the entered yacht is covered by suitable legal liability insurance of at least AU$10,000,000 (or foreign currency equivalent), valid for racing, and current for the duration of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012; (b) notwithstanding the above insurance requirement, he/she acknowledges that the yacht need not furnish proof of this cover.
11.5 By lodging an entry, the owner/charterer agrees that: (a) it is a fundamental condition of entry that he/she releases, holds harmless and indemnifies Hamilton Island Yacht Club Inc., its office bearers, servants, agents and members and the sponsors of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012 from all liability any of those persons has to the owner/charterer or any crew member on the owner/charterer's yacht, or to any person claiming through or under any such person arising from loss or damage howsoever caused, including negligent act or omission, arising out of or relating to: (i) participation by the owner/charterer's yacht or any other yacht in a race; (ii) the conduct or course of the race in any respect including, without limitation, any act or omission (whether reasonably foreseeable or not) causing or relating to loss of or damage to any yacht or the death or injury of any person; or (iii) any of the matters referred to in the paragraphs above; (b) participation by the yacht and by the crew in Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012 is agreed by Hamilton Island Yacht Club Inc. on the basis that participation is entirely at the risk of the owner/charterer and each member of the crew on the owner/charterer's yacht; (c) the owner/charterer will provide each crew member or proposed crew member with a copy of the Entry Form including these Conditions of Entry.
11.6 By lodging an entry, the owner/charterer gives absolute right and permission for any photographs and/or video footage of the boat and crew to be published in any media for any editorial, publicity or advertising purposes.
11.7 Yacht owners, skippers and crew should be aware that there may be uncharted obstacles under the waters on which races are held. Such uncharted obstacles include reefs, bomboras and rocks which could be a danger to yachts and crews. Hamilton Island Yacht Club Inc. accepts no responsibility for any damage to or loss of any yacht or for injury to or death of any crew person which may occur as a result of a collision with any underwater obstacle. All participants compete in races at their own risk

12. Prizes and Trophies
Trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall in each Class. 
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd on corrected time in each race for each Class or 1st, 2nd and 3rd for scratch classes. 
Trophies for the overall pointscore in each class will be presented at a ceremony on the evening of Saturday 25th August 2012.  Prizes for each day's racing will be presented as soon as practicable after racing each day.

13. Internet Site
The event web site for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week 2012 is located at www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au and information regarding the event may be obtained from this site. Entrants should check the site periodically in order to keep up to date of the latest information.

14. Mooring Arrangement & Support Facilities
Moorings for competing boats in the harbour at Hamilton Island will be available for the period 15th August – 27th August at no charge. It is a condition of entry that boats must moor in accordance with the directions of the Harbour Master. Boats not participating in the races will be charged normal berthing rates.  Some boats may be required to moor in Dent Passage due to size restrictions.
(Boats wishing to arrive before 15th August and/or leave after 27th August should contact the Marina Office on 07 4946 8353 to book a berth for the extra days. This should be done as soon as possible, as demand for the marina immediately before and after Race Week is exceptionally heavy and a berth may not be available.)
The following tradesmen and facilities will be available during the series should they be required: Sailmaker - Rigger & chandler - Diesel engineer - Shipwright - Slipping facilities - Storage areas for cruising equipment - Supermarket, bakery, deli, etc. - Laundromat - National Australia Bank with ATM - Post Office and public telephones - 24 hour medical service - All resort facilities, buggy hire, etc.

For Further Details
Contact the Regatta Director direct: Denis Thompson Phone: 0417 686 640 or Email: info@hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au