2019 VISA Fall Centerboard Series

Virginia Inland Sailing Association
450 Sailor's Drive, Moneta, VA 24121

Notice of Race

Authority

This event is being organized, hosted, and managed by the Virginia Inland Sailing Association (VISA).

Eligibility

Open to VISA members skippering centerboard boats of any class.

Registration

Registration to enter this event can be done online or in person no later than the conclusion of the skipper's meeting on the day of the race.

Venue

All land based events and logistics associated with the event, including registration, boat launches, storage, and skipper meetings will held at the clubhouse and facilities of VISA. All on the water events and races shall be conducted on Smith Mountain Lake in the most suitable area, in the opinion of the Race Committee, that is closest to the clubhouse and marina.

Schedule of Races

The planned schedule of races may be viewed on the 2019 VISA Fall Centerboard Series Schedule of Races.

Rules

The event will be governed by the rules as defined in Racing Rules of Sailing , the Sailing Instructions of VISA, and the US Sailing Code of Conduct.

Meetings

A Skipper's Meeting will be held on each race day approximately 1 hour prior to the warning signal for the first race. All meetings will be held on the upper back deck of the VISA Clubhouse.

Course and Marks

The event will be contested on a windward - leeward course with a designated number of laps around the marks. The on course marks shall be orange tetrahedrons with the starting line terminated by the Race Committee signal boat on one end and a mark on the opposite. Additional marks may be used by the Race Committee as necessary to designate offset marks, hazards, etc. Unless otherwise instructed, competitors shall leave all marks on the port side.

Radio Communication

Radio communication between boats during any of the event races will not be allowed. Radio communication with Race Committee officials shall be allowed on channel 78A.

Race Committee and Support Boats

The primary Race Committee Signal Boat shall be a pontoon boat with fixed structures for hosting and displaying the appropriate signal flags. Support boats shall consist of one or more smaller power boats that are marked with the VISA lettering on the hulls.

Scoring

In cases of mixed classes, the event will be scored on a "time on time" basis where each boat shall be assigned a Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) or Portsmouth Yardstick (D-PN) handicap as published by US Sailing. This handicap will be used in an appropriate formula as determined by the Race Committee to adjust the actual finishing time of each boat.

The scoring shall be conducted on low point system where each boat receives a point equal to their respective finishing order.

1. A single race shall constitute a series.
2. A boat that participates in a single race shall be scored for the entire series.
3. A boat that did not start, did not finish, retired or was disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series.
4. All scores shall be included in the calculation of the final results.
5. All boats must finish within 30 minutes of the first boat to finish or be scored 'DNF'.

Scores for individual races shall be posted online for each race on the 2019 VISA Fall Centerboard Series Schedule of Races.

Overall results shall be posted online at 2019 VISA Fall Centerboard Series Overall Results.

Awards

First and second place prizes will be awarded.

Insurance

All competitors shall be responsible for obtaining their own property and liability insurance in such amounts and types as they deem appropriate. VISA does not provide any insurance for competitors NOR DOES IT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES TO PERSON OR PROPERTY.

Emergency Contacts

In the event of an emergency at any point during the event, competitors may radio call the Race Committee on VHF radio channel 78A, channel 16, or telephone any of the local Emergency contacts.

Risk and Limitation of Liability

Competitors participate in the event entirely at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision to Race. Sailboat racing inherently involves risks and dangers that may be caused by other competitors, mechanical, engine, or structural failures, or by acts of God such as lightening. Many of these risks are unavoidable. By voluntarily entering this event for recreationaly enjoyment, all skippers, crew, and competitors acknowledge that they are aware of and accept such risks as an inherent part of the sport. VISA HEREBY EXPRESSLY DENIES AND REJECTS ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY, DAMAGES TO PROPERTY, OR DEATH DURING THIS EVENT. BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT, ALL COMPETITORS FURTHER AGREE TO HOLD VISA HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIM THAT MAY ARISE AS A RESULT OF PARTICPATION IN THIS EVENT.

Indemnification

BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT EACH COMPEITOR HEREBY AGREES TO FULLY INDEMNIFY VISA AGAINST ANY CLAIM OR EXPENSE INCURRED BY VISA IN CONNECTION WITH ANY INCIDENT OR INCIDENTS INVOLVING THEM AS PARTICIPANTS IN THIS EVENT.