COTSWOLD Sailing Club

All Comet Classes Doublehanded Open Meeting

Sailing Instructions

7^th & 8^th June 2025

1. Rules
   • COTSWOLD Sailing Club implements the RYA Racing Charter and helms are required to undertake to sail in compliance with the Charter, details of which can be found at the front of the RYA Rule Book (Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024). Racing will take place under the current Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions of the RYA, the Notice of Race and these Sailing Instructions. If there is conflict between the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions, then these Sailing Instructions shall prevail.
2. Notices to Competitors
   • Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board.
3. Changes to Sailing Instructions
   • Any changes to sailing instructions will be posted on the notice board not less than 30 minutes before the start of the Race.
4. Signals
   • Signals made afloat will be from a flag staff mounted on the Committee boat.    Signals made ashore will be made from a flag staff mounted on the end of one of our spits
5. Schedule of Races
   • See schedule at the end of this document
6. Signing on
   • Competitors must pay the entry fee and sign on before the first race.
7. Class Flags
   • Class flag will be for the Mk 1 Trio Pennant 1 and for the other classes Pennant 2.    Should there be a need to expand the starts to more than 2 then this will be advised at the Saturday briefing
8. Courses
   • 8.1       The number of rounds to be sailed will be displayed on the course board, either on the committee boat or on the course board in the club
   • 8.2       The course displayed will be shown with numbers indicating the marks in the order that they should be passed and with a green or red background to indicate with side the mark should be left. The course displayed on the course board in the club will be diagrammatic.
   • 8.3       When an alteration to the course is made, two sound signals will be made and International Code Flag C flown.
9. Marks
   • The normal rounding marks are numbered 1- 11  around the lake.. The Mark’s 10,11, are located down the centre of the lake.  A black WM rounding mark may be used.
10. The Start
    • 10.1      Races will be started by using rule 26 with the warning signal made 5 minutes before the starting signal.       The Go signal for the Mk1 Trio is the ‘other Comets’ 5 minute signal.
    • 10.2      If there is a General Recall, signaled by 3 long beeps of the horn, the sequence for that class or classes will recommence as soon as possible after the General Recall.    If the Trio MK1 class is recalled they will retain their ‘first fleet to start’ position
    • 10.3      When a Committee boat start is used the starting line is defined as the line between the mast on the Committee boat and the designated OD mark. The outer distance mark will be white. When a shore- based start is used the starting line will be as displayed on the notice board at the club. A limit mark may be laid adjacent to the Committee boat. Limit marks are marks of the course. No boat shall pass between the limit mark and any part of the vessel it guards after the preparatory signal.
    • 10.4      When a shore-based start is used limit marks may be laid. The limit marks will be white.
11. Change of The Position of The Next Mark
    • To change the position of the next mark, the Race Committee will move the original mark (or the finishing line) to a new position. The change will be signaled as per the RRS before the leading boat has begun the leg, although the mark may not yet be in the new position.
12. The Finish
    • 12.1      A shore-based finish line will be between the flagstaff and a mark of the course or mark laid for this purpose.
    • 12.2      Finishing at a mark. When a Committee boat not under way is appropriately positioned on the course and appropriate signals if necessary have been made, the race will finish between the mast of that Committee boat and the nearby rounding mark.
    • 12.3      Any competitor retiring from a race must inform the OOD or his/her on the water team (safety or race) at the earliest opportunity, before leaving the race area.
13. Time Limits
    • Boats failing to finish within 30 minutes of the winning boat will be scored Did Not Finish. This changes rules 35 and A4.1.
14. Protests and Requests for Redress
    • Protest forms are available at the club. Protests shall be delivered there within 30 minutes of the last boat finishing the race.
15. Scoring
    • 15.1      The low point scoring system of Appendix A will apply on the day of racing.
    • 15.2      Discards for the event are as per the RRS/ ….
16. Safety Regulations
    • Adequate personal buoyancy shall be worn by all crew members whilst afloat. Wet / drysuits do not constitute adequate buoyancy.
    • When the Race Committee or a Safety Boat Operative considers that a boat or competitor is in difficulties it may instruct the boat or competitor to accept outside help, retire or sail ashore.
17. Equipment and Measurement Checks
    • A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules and sailing instructions by a Class authorised person. On the water, a boat can be instructed by a Class authorised person to proceed immediately to shore for inspection when such a Class authorised person is present at the event.
18. Risk Statement
    • Sailing is a water sport that, by its nature, is unpredictable and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in any waterborne activity, each competitor agrees that:
    • (a) They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure to themselves, their crew and their boat whilst taking part in the event;
    • (b) They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;
    • (c) They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;
    • (d) Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;
    • (e) The provision of a race management team, safety boats and other officials and volunteers by the event organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;
    • (f) The provision of safety boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances;
    • (g) Their boat is adequately insured, with cover of at least £5 million against third party claims;
    • All members are also reminded of ISAF/ RYA/ Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) Rule 4, which states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue to race is hers alone”
19. Coaches & Supporters
    • No coach or support boats will be permitted. Coaches & supporters accompanying competitors are required to comply with the principles of good sportsmanship and behavior and the rules of COTSWOLD Sailing Club. Failure to do so may result in investigation by the Regatta organizers, and potentially in an instruction to the competitor to leave the premises of COTSWOLD Sailing Club without means of redress.. 
20. Wind Strength
    • The wind can be variable inland and races may be postponed or abandoned.     The RO is to set the maximum wind strength according to experience and discretion based on local knowledge.
21. Rights to Use Names and Likenesses
    • By signing the entry form, competitors automatically grant to the organising authority, without payment, the right in perpetuity to make, use and show any motion pictures, still pictures and live, taped or filmed television of all media relating to the event. They also allow their names, age category, club and boat details to be displayed in competitors lists prior to the event and in results, on the COTSWOLD Sailing Club website and in other subsequent publications.

The Race Schedule  

The number of races and timing is indicative and will depend on weather conditions.     All Visitors attending Open Events at Cotswold S.C. are kindly reminded that upon arrival all boats must be rinsed in the boat wash area.