Organizing Authority:   The 2009 Thistle Youth/Women’s National Championships (Regatta) is organized by the Thistle Class Association (TCA) in conjunction with Cedar Point Yacht Club (CPYC).

Rules: The Regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing, 2009-2012 Edition (RRS), the prescriptions of the US Sailing Association, and the TCA Constitution, By-Laws, and Specifications (Class Rules).   The provisions of Bylaws, Article XIII, Sections 13 and 15 shall not apply to this series.  (Divisions and Time Limit)

Advertising:  The Regatta is designated Category A in accordance with ISAF Regulation 20.

Eligibility:  Per Bylaws, Article XIII, Sections 22 and 23.

·         Age:

o  Youth:  the competitors (skipper and crew) must be under twenty-one (21) years of age throughout the entire series.

o  Women:  There are no age restrictions.  A woman who will be under twenty-one (21) years of age throughout the entire week of the Nationals can elect to sail the Youth Nationals or the Women’s nationals provided her crew meets the same age requirements.

·         Membership:  All skippers shall be TCA members as specified by the Bylaws.

·         Boat:  The boats sailed must be registered and dues paid. The boat can be borrowed, the skipper’s own boat or a family boat.  There is no fee for borrowing a boat.  Arrangements for borrowing a boat and liability are the responsibility of the lender and the skipper.

·         Waivers:  It is required that all participants under the age of 18 have parental permission.

Entries: Eligible boats and skippers may enter in person the morning of the Regatta by completing the event appropriate entry form, paying a registration fee of $15.00, and completing the required measurement and waiver as described in this Notice of Race no later than 1030 August 1, 2009.  Entry forms will be available in the Bagpipe and on the TCA website. 

Registration and Measurement: Will be held at CPYC at the following times:

Friday, July 31                                    1700 – 1900        (Registration)

Saturday, August 1, 2009                  0800 – 1030        (Registration/Measurement)

You are encouraged to pre- register before the event by sending a check to Fleet #99 with registration form in which case you will only need to complete the Measurement during the Registration/Measurement period.

Measurement will include but not be limited to be all up weight and safety equipment (flotation, paddle, PFDs, anchor and line, “throwable” life saving device, bailing bucket, whistle).  Priority measurement of these items including all other Nationals measurements will be offered to boats participating in the Women’s and Junior Nationals.

Sailing is an activity that has an inherent risk of damage and injury. Competitors in this event are participating entirely at their own risk. See RRS 4, Decision to Race.  The race organizers (organizing authority, race committee, protest committee, host club, sponsors, or any other organization or official) will not be responsible for damage to any boat or other property or the injury to any competitor, including death, sustained as a result of participation in this event. By participating in this event, each competitor agrees to release the race organizers from any and all liability associated with such competitor’s participation in this event to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Racing Schedule: The Race Committee may adjust the race schedule to suit the weather conditions.  A maximum of seven races will be conducted.

Saturday August 1              Skippers Meeting                                1030                                                    

                                               Harbor Start                        1100                                                    

                                          Warning Race 1                        1200     

Trophies:  Trophies will be awarded for the first 3 places in both the Youth and Women’s events.  The trophies will be presented at the opening ceremonies for the Thistle Nationals Championship on Sunday.

Racing Area: Races will be sailed in Long Island Sound southeast of CPYC.  A chart of the racing area will be available at registration.

Courses:   Course types and lengths, including the ability to shorten course will be at the discretion of the Race Committee and the National Race Committee Chairman.

Sailing Instructions: The sailing instructions will be available at registration beginning on August 1, 2009. 

Scoring: The Low Point system of RRS Appendix A will apply, as modified by the Class Rules. There will be no throw-outs.

Further Information: Contact: Brian Joyce, Regatta Chairman