Race Management Handbook Fifth edition © Copyright 2009, United States Sailing Association Post Office Box 1260 15 Maritime Drive Portsmouth, RI 02871 First edition, 1993 Second edition, 1997 Third edition, 2002 Fourth edition, 2005 Fifth edition, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0-9821676-3-2 ISBN-10: 0-9821676-3-6 Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................xiii Introduction ......................................................................................................xiv About this edition ............................................................................................xv Objectives, Responsibilities and Authority ....................................... 1 Objectives ............................................................................................................. 1 What do sailors expect of race committees? ............................................. 1 1 Primary elements of success ............................................................................3 How do you accomplish these objectives? ................................................3 A few words about race officials and alcohol ............................................4 Definitions and rules ..........................................................................................5 Terms used in this handbook ..........................................................................5 Rules governing regattas and race management ......................................5 The organizing authority ...................................................................................6 Who may act as an organizing authority? ...................................................6 Responsibilities of an organizing authority ................................................7 Designing the event ...........................................................................................8 The host club ..................................................................................................... 10 Providing the environment .......................................................................... 10 The regatta chairman ........................................................................................11 The race committee ......................................................................................... 12 What is the race committee? ....................................................................... 12 Duties and functions of a race committee ............................................... 12 Notices of race and sailing instructions .................................................... 12 Safety ................................................................................................................... 13 Measurement and “authority responsible” ............................................. 13 Selection of protest committees ................................................................. 13 Selection and maintenance of equipment .............................................. 14 Selection of race committee personnel .................................................... 14 Other, in general .............................................................................................. 14 Race officers ...................................................................................................... 14 Selection and characteristics ........................................................................ 14 US SAILING Race Officer Certification Program ................................... 15 Race Officer Programs ................................................................................... 15 Race Officer Training and Certification Programs ................................ 15 iv • Race Management Handbook International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Race Officer Program ...........21 Personal conduct of race officers ................................................................21 Other race officer duties ................................................................................21 Obtaining the necessary personnel ......................................................... 23 Training race committee personnel ........................................................... 25 The protest committee ................................................................................... 26 Responsibilities and authority ..................................................................... 26 The race committee as a “party” to a hearing ......................................... 27 The International Jury ......................................................................................28 Organizing the Event ...................................................................................31 The annual racing schedule ............................................................................31 Meet within the club .......................................................................................31 2 Coordinate with other clubs ........................................................................ 32 Contact other organizations affected ........................................................ 32 Consider other factors affecting the regatta ........................................... 32 Maintain continuity ......................................................................................... 32 Marine event permits ..................................................................................... 32 Major or “principal” events, in general ..................................................... 33 Venue selection ................................................................................................ 33 The regatta committee—basic organizational structure ...................... 33 Budget and finance ......................................................................................... 35 Eligibility, entry and registration ................................................................. 36 Eligibility and conditions of entry .............................................................. 36 Exclusion of competitors ............................................................................... 37 Advance registration or entry ...................................................................... 37 Entry forms ........................................................................................................38 Declarations .......................................................................................................38 Registration ........................................................................................................ 39 Housing ............................................................................................................. 40 Grounds Coordination .................................................................................. 40 Boat trailer parking ......................................................................................... 40 Vehicle parking ..................................................................................................41 Sailboard storage ............................................................................................. 42 Boat slips and moorings ................................................................................ 42 Boat hoists .......................................................................................................... 42 Sail drying areas ............................................................................................... 43 © 2009 US SAILING Table of Contents • v Loudspeaker systems ..................................................................................... 43 Flagstaffs ............................................................................................................. 44 Measurement facilities ................................................................................... 44 Protest rooms .................................................................................................... 44 Arriving equipment ........................................................................................ 45 Cleanup .............................................................................................................. 45 Offshore coordination ................................................................................... 45 Meal delivery plan .......................................................................................... 46 Scoring ................................................................................................................ 46 Fuel sources ....................................................................................................... 46 Measurement coordination .......................................................................... 47 In general ............................................................................................................ 47 Requirements for measurement ................................................................. 47 Communication with others ......................................................................... 47 Measurement forms ........................................................................................48 Support personnel ..........................................................................................48 Protest committee coordination ................................................................