Laser 12 Hour Race

Laser 12 Hour Race . 2007

Notice of Race
Draft 2 - dated 15th January 2007
1. The first West Lancashire Yacht Club Laser 12 Hour Race will take place on Saturday 28th April 2007 around a fixed triangular course on the Marine Lake Southport, starting at 08.00 hours ( the warning signal will be at 07.50 hours.)
2. The race will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing.
3. Sailing Instructions will be issued to all entrants by post in April 2007. They will set out in full a number of variations from the rules which have been developed to meet the special
circumstances of the race including:
• Variations to permit, in defined circumstances:
o Use of a reserve boat, sails and gear
o Changing of rig and sails, and use by a boat of a sail carrying a distinguishing number other than her own.
o Hauling out (varies Rule 45)
o Outside help (varies Rules 41,47)
o Changing of helms (varies Rule 47)
o Towing or manual propulsion to a defined docking area (varies Rules 41,42)
• Variations relating to protest requirements, including a requirement to use protest flags, red in colour, of minimum dimensions 100mm x 100mm (varies Rule 61.1(a))
• Provision for alternative penalties intended to enable infringing boats to continue racing, except where the Protest Committee or Race Committee considers disqualification appropriate. The 360º turn penalty of Rule 31.2 and the 720º turns penalty of Rule 44.2 will not apply.
• A requirement for helms to wear adequate personal buoyancy.
4. The race is open to Laser class dinghies, with any authorised rig, but will not be handicapped.
5. The race is for boats entered by teams of two or more helmsmen. Entries will be limited to 70
Each boat shall be sailed only by nominated members of the team entering the boat, and no competitor shall sail in more than one team, without the prior consent of the
Race Committee. Teams will be required to provide a Team Name, which may be the name of an An RYA affiliated club; in which case the boat shall only be sailed by bona fide members of the club entering the boat.
6. Registration will take place from 18.00 hours to 22.00 hours on Friday 27th April and from 06.00 hours on Saturday 28th April. All entrants must declare that they are covered by third party insurance with a limit of indemnity of at least £2,000,000 for any one accident valid for the event.
7. Boats will be required to display allocated numbers, on both hull and sail, for identification purposes. The size, placement and material will be prescribed in the sailing instructions.
8. Advertising will be allowed in accordance with Category C as defined by Appendix 1 except that advertising on hulls shall not conflict with or mask the display of allocated identification numbers in accordance with the sailing instructions.
9. If the event is cancelled the full entrance fee may not be returnable.
10. Boats may be entered in one, or a combination of, the following four categories:
Unrestricted - no restriction on age of helms
Masters - sailed by a team consisting of helms aged 40 or over at the start
of the race.
Ladies - sailed by a team consisting of female helms, of any age.
Junior - sailed by a team consisting of helms aged under 18 at the start of the race.
11. The winner will be the boat with the shortest average lap time (after application of penalties, if any). For some prizes reasonably continuous sailing is required and the Race Committee will judge compliance with this requirement.
12. Safety
• It should be appreciated that competing in this event on the confined waters of the Marine Lake in heavy weather may be hazardous and entrants are reminded that the risks of competing in the event must be born by competitors. It is the responsibility of each team captain, who must be an adult capable of exercising appropriate judgement, to decide whether his/her individual team members should participate in the conditions prevailing at the time. Helms are warned to keep a good look out for crews who may be in the water. The Team Manager of teams with junior members (under the age of 18), must be familiar with his Club's or Organisation's Child Protection Policy.

• A boat is entirely responsible for her own safety, whether afloat or ashore, and nothing, whether in the notice of race, sailing instructions or anywhere else, reduces this responsibility
• By sailing, and continuing to sail, she confirms she is fit for the prevailing conditions and her crew is competent to sail and compete in them.
• The provision of safety boats does not relieve the boat of her responsibilities.
• Nothing done by the organisers can reduce the responsibility of the boat nor will it make the organisers responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, however it may have occurred, as a result of a boat taking part in the racing. The organisers encompass everyone helping to run the race and event, and include West Lancashire Yacht Club, the race committee, the race officer, patrol and safety boats and scrutineers.

Entries must be made in advance on the official entry form, and shall be signed by the team captain.

Entry fees are set out below and on the entry form.
Per Team
Paid before 31st March 2007
£70

Paid after 1st April 2007
£90

Further details are available from
The Laser 12 Hour Race Secretary,
West Lancashire Yacht Club,
Marine Drive,
Southport,
Merseyside
PR8 1RY.
Telephone 01704 530840
Email: laser-12-hour-race @ wlyc.org.uk