Elephant Race Sailing Instructions

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

1 RULES
The Race to the Elephant will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012.

If a change to the Sailing Instructions is to be made, the race committee signal boat will fly flag L, and competitors are to come within hailing distance.

2 COURSES AND MARKS
Start near Rock Canyon Marina. The start marks will be a staff displaying an orange flag on the race committee signal boat at the starboard end of the line, and a round buoy to port.

Round navigation mark 9A (between Rattlesnake Island and Marina del Sur); leaving it to port.

Round the Elephant Butte, leaving it to port (circle it going counter-clockwise).

Finish at the finish marks between a staff displaying an orange flag near the northwest corner of the DamSite Marina houseboat dock, and a large yellow inflatable mark

The Race Committee may shorten the course at any mark by displaying an S flag (blue square on a white rectangle) and finishing boats between the flag and the mark.

3 START
The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race is 12:00 noon. No boat may come within three boat lengths of the start line before her start sequence begins. This modifies rule 26.

Starting flags and starting groups are
(1) Race: red race flag or red and white checkered flag
(2) Cruise: yellow cruise flag
(3) Dinghy: green dinghy flag
(4) Multihull: blue flag with a catamaran symbol

The anticipated start sequence is
11:59am Attention signal (AP pennant down with 1 horn, or multiple horns)
12:00pm Red race class flag UP (horn)
12:01pm Prep flag UP (horn)
12:04pm Prep flag DOWN (horn)
12:05pm Red race class flag DOWN (horn) to start race class

12:05pm Yellow cruise class flag UP (horn)
12:06pm Prep flag UP (horn)
12:09pm Prep flag DOWN (horn)
12:10pm Yellow cruise flag DOWN (horn) to start cruising class

12:10pm Green dinghy class flag UP (horn)
12:11pm Prep flag UP (horn)
12:14pm Prep flag DOWN (horn)
12:15pm Green dinghy flag DOWN (horn) to start dinghies

12:15pm Multi-hull class flag UP (horn)
12:16pm Prep flag UP (white square on blue) (horn)
12:19pm Prep flag DOWN (horn)
12:20pm Multi-hull flag down (horn) to start multi-hulls

4 TIME LIMITS
A boat failing to finish within two hours after the first boat in its starting group sails the course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish. This changes rules 35 and A4.

5 PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS
Protest forms are available at the race committee signal boat. Protests shall be submitted to the protest committee within the protest time limit, which is 60 minutes after the race committee records the last finish. This changes rules 61.3 and 62.2.

6 SCORING AND PRIZES
Scoring will follow the low-point system in the Racing Rules of Sailing, Appendix A, except as described in the Notice of Race. Prizes will be given as described in the Notice of Race.

7 SAFETY, DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY, AND INSURANCE
Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race.

Competitors agree to follow all applicable rules and laws.

The Rio Grande Sailing Club, Lago Rico, Inc., and their officers, employees, and volunteers, will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance that meets New Mexico State Parks requirements.

The race committee may take any appropriate actions to ensure the safety and fairness of competition.