Race Instruction

Course
The course is usually one of pre-described courses available from the club website or provided in laminated packets. The mark roundings are exactly as outlined in the course maps, including passing back through the start/finish line on multiple lap courses. The Committee Boat will display the course number selected at least 15 minutes before the start sequence. The Race Committee is tasked with setting the course as to wind conditions to allow all boats in the fleet to finish in the time allotted if sailed in a seamanlike manner. The Race Committee may set a course that is not one of the pre-described courses for special events or venues.
Race postponement or abandonment
The signal for postponement of a race is two horn blasts followed by a radio transmission to the fleet on Channel 68. The signal for abandonment either before or during a race is three horn blasts followed by a radio transmission to the fleet on Channel 68.

Finish
The finish line will be between the Race Committee Boat and the pin/mark. The finish line will be as square as possible to the last mark of the course. Boat numbers or sail number if a boat number is not displayed will be called out, as feasible, when a boat crosses the finish line. A horn is sounded signaling a boat’s finish.
Time limit – Flexible Lap Rule
The Race Committee shall abandon a race if the lead boat in the race has not reached the first mark within 60 minutes of the start signal or the Race Committee shall abandon a race if the lead boat has not finished the race within 2.5 hours of the start. If there are adverse weather conditions such as lightning, storms or wind conditions that are light and variable a short course will be set. The Race Committee will decide if 1, 2, or 3 laps will be made. This decision will take place as the race progresses and will be communicated by radio. Boats will be marked for elapsed time as they pass the start finish line on each lap. The Race Committee may curtail the race if it appears boats will not finish within 4 hours. If a race is curtailed, the last full lap elapsed time scores will be used for scoring finishes. A full lap is one in which approximately 2/3 or more of the fleet completes the lap. This is up to the discretion of the Race Committee. The Race Committee will abandon its position at 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Boats not finished by 4:00 p.m. will be recorded as DNF (did not finish).
Scoring
The race will be scored using the low point scoring system as described in US Sailing Appendix A2. First place shall be scored .75, second place scored 2.0, third 3.0 and so on. "DNF" (did not finish) shall receive points equal to the number of entrants registered for that race. “DNS” (did not start) shall receive points equal to the number of entrants registered for the race series. “DSQ” (disqualified) shall receive points equal to the number of entrants registered for the race plus two. Points earned from each race regardless if cancelled just before the start or after the start will apply to the overall skipper and crew Award Series. Points are derived from the number of boats that raced at some point in the season. Race results shall be recorded by the Race Committee on a designated form, calculated, posted on the club web site and sent by email within the following week. Penalties & Protests
A boat hitting a mark shall be disqualified unless she exonerates herself in accordance to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules by completing a turn (One turn) after getting clear and prior to the next mark. A boat fouling another boat (PART 2) must carry out a penalty of two turns (Two turns Penalty) in accordance to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules to exonerate herself prior to rounding the next mark. A turn is defined as a tack and a gybe. Fouls (Protests) are “on the water” decisions between the boats directly involved in the incident. There are no protests taken off the water to be resolved by committee. Members are expected to acknowledge uncontested fouls and do their turns accordingly. Fouling includes any breach of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules Parts 1-4. Contested fouls may be brought to the race review session for discussion and general education about the rule involved; however, no penal action will be taken by those not involved in the protest. However, repeated contests with the same participant may be referred to the race committee for resolution.
Communication
The Race Committee will monitor Channel 68 and maintain contact with the USCG Auxiliary Safety Boat if available. Each skipper is encouraged to monitor Channel 68, relay instructions from the Race Committee, and otherwise assist fellow club members.
Safety
When feasible, retiring boats should notify the Race Committee prior to leaving the course. If a retiring boat cannot notify the Race Committee, she should attempt to contact another boat in the race to relay her retiring. The Race Committee shall postpone or cancel a race at anytime if they judge that the safety of the crews are in jeopardy. Each skipper is ultimately responsible for the safety of their crew and themselves and shall exercise sound judgment while on the race course. If a boat is need of emergency aid it is the obligation of the nearest boat(s) to render assistance. The compensation for rendering aid is a score that is either the average of all races sailed or the finish position of that race. The skipper has the choice.

Awards

Trophies and Participation awards will be awarded at the end of the season. Up to two throw-outs are allowed. Ties shall be broken by the following order: Who beat whom the most times; who finished best in the last race in which both competed