Formula Racing Information

SF Bay Area Equipment Guidelines

Boards - Use any board ("production" or "custom") under 100.5 cm in width, no centerboard(s), and over 8.5 kg wet with straps and fin.

Sails - Use any three sails. No size restriction, no requirement that it be on the ISAF list.

Fins - Use any fin up to 70cm in length.  If you use a longer fin and someone protests...  You're out!

Enforcement

Measuring or weighing will only occur if equipment is protested by another competitor. Likewise, only protests will lead to any enforcement action.  Protests will follow the procedures governing all protests (i.e., hearing, witnesses, bring a case of beer as a protest fee...)  A contestant will be selected at random to preside over any protest.  It could be anyone that was not directly involved in the alleged infraction or witness to to the alleged infraction.  Think of dealing with an "enforcement" issue as being similar to dealing with a freshly deputized, drunken posse out of a Mel Brooks movie.  -- It's fun to watch, but has unpredictable results.  So it's best to avoid getting into an equipment dispute.

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Scoring & Racing Instructions

Scoring & Racing Instructions

0. The regatta shall be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).

1. Changes to the sailing instructions shall be in writing and posted on the official notice board one hour before the race they are to take effect or, on the water, communicated to each board before her warning signal (Ref RRS 88.2(c)). 

2. All competitors must have a sail number to race.

3. Course and marks will be reviewed at the skippers' meeting.

4. Races will be started in accordance with RRS 26. When the race committee is in place the postponement flag (AP) will be raised (AP flag is a red and white striped flag).

5 minutes after the AP flag is lowered the first 5-minute sequence of the day shall begin.


TIME SIGNAL FLAG - SOUND
5 Minutes- WARNING SIGNAL Class Flag - One Horn
4 Minutes- PREPARATORY SIGNAL Code Flag ³P² ­ One Horn
1 Minute- ³P² Lowered ­ One Whistle
0 Minute- START Class Flag Removed

1st. finisher 'Z' FLAG UP

'Z' flag will remain up after the 1st. finisher. The next sequence will begin 5 min. after the 'Z' flag is lowered. (Z flag is four colored squares, red, yellow, purple, blue (P flag is a rectangular blue flag w/ a white rectangle inside))

Each flag will be accompanied by a sound signal. However, times will be taken from the flags and a failure or mistiming of a sound signal must be ignored.

5. Recalls: 1; Individual recall will be displayed by an 'X' flag (a white square- shaped flag with a blue cross on it) and one sound (RRS 29.2), 2; General recall will cause the committee to display the 'First Substitute' flag (a blue and yellow pennant flag) and two sound signals (RRS 29.3). One minute after the 'First Substitute' is lowered, a 5 min. starting sequence will begin.

6. The committee may postpone, abandon, or cancel a race before the starting signal for any reason. The committee may abandon or cancel a race after the start for any reason affecting the fairness of the competition. The 'Answering Pennant' (AP) flag will be displayed when the start of a race is POSTPONED. The 'N' flag (black and white squares) will be displayed if a race is ABANDONED. FIVE min. after the 'Answering Pennant' or 'N' flag is lowered, a 5 min. starting sequence will begin.

7. Each racer will sail the course so as to round or pass each mark on the required side in the correct sequence. The time limit will normally be 30 min. after the first finish. The 'Z' flag will be displayed until the time limit is over. The race committee may decide to lengthen the 30 min. time limit for reasons such as light wind conditions or length of course. When all racers have finished or the time limit has been reached, the 'Z' flag will be lowered. Five min. after the 'Z' flag is lowered the next 5 min. sequence will begin or the Postponement flag (Answering Pennant, red and white stripes) will be raised.

8. The courses will be discussed at the skippers' meeting. The course that is sailed in the FIRST race shall be used for all races UNLESS the race committee displays the 'L' flag (yellow and black squares). This flag means "come within hail" and the new course will be indicated on the official notice board on the beach. Information at the race boat is not reliable.

9. Scoring will be per ISAF low point 2005-2008: first place = 1 point, second place = 2 points, third = 3 points, etc. Penalties are handled per RRS A9: "For a series that is held over a period of time longer than a regatta, a board that came to the starting area but did not start, did not finish, retired after finishing or was disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boards that came to the starting area. A board that did not come to the starting area shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boards entered in the series."

10. Each race will be scored separately. One race will be thrown out per 4 completed. If a tie exists, the higher place finisher will be determined by
1) who has the most firsts, seconds, and 3rds. 2) who beat who the greater number of times 3) who has the better score including throwouts.

11. All racers will sail together and be scored together, and will be separated for awards at the end of the series: 1st, 2nd. 3rd, C, B, A, W, etc.

12. If you wish to protest you must follow this procedure:
1) Notify the racer being protested by hail at the first opportunity after the incident.
2) Notify the committee as soon as possible after the finish of the race.
3) Remind the person you are protesting to meet with you and the committee following the days' races, and set a time.

13. The 360 degree turn penalty is in effect. A racer who acknowledges infringing a rule may exonerate himself by following Rule B2.1(c): Rule 44.2 is changed so that two turns are replaced by one 360° turn with no requirement for tacks or gybes.