This is the 6th event, in the Series of 8, this year with the last two events at Upper Thames SC and Bough Beech SC to follow in October and November.

A very warm welcome will be found at these events and we hope you wish to make the most of these remaining events. As well as The Hartley Boats Trophy, awarded to the winner of the National Circuit Series and the Wayfarer Traveller’s Trophy, awarded to the winner of the Travellers’ Trophy Series – Don’t forget the new Traveller Prize Draw!

A draw of sponsors’ prizes shall be made at the last National Circuit Series event of the year. Each boat which has competed in two or more events will be eligible to win a prize. Each boat which has competed in two events shall have one ticket bearing its sail number included in the draw. Each boat which has competed in three events shall have two tickets included in the draw. Each boat which has competed in four events shall have three tickets and so on. A boat may win only one prize.

If a boat wins a prize but is not represented at the draw its owner shall be responsible for any cost of the delivery of the prize.

Datchet Water Sailing Club
Queen Mother Reservoir, Horton Road, Slough, SL3 9NT

 1.0     RULES

1.1     The event will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing, this Notice of Race (except as any of these are changed by the Sailing Instructions), the Rules of the Class Association and the Sailing Instructions. If there is a conflict between this Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions then the Sailing Instructions will prevail. The organising authority is Datchet Water Sailing Club.

1.2     Competitors should note that Datchet Water Sailing Club implements the RYA Racing Charter and that they will be required to undertake to sail in compliance with the Charter, which can be found at the front of the RYA rule book (Racing Rules of Sailing 2017-2020), or at www.rya.org.uk/racing/charter and can be found posted in the clubhouse.

1.3     Rubbish shall not be put overboard, however it may be put in support or patrol boats.

1.4     Competitors shall give way to patrol boats and race management craft carrying out their duties at all times.

1.5     The rules and regulations of Datchet Water Sailing Club shall be followed and will be available on the wall in the club house.

2.0     Spare 

3.0     ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

3.1     Boats competing for UKWA prizes must be entered by members or associate members of the UKWA or any equivalent National Class Wayfarer Association (NCWA).

3.2     All helms or crews under the age of 18 are required to present a signed Entry/Parent/Guardian Declaration at registration.

4.0     ENTRY FEE

The entry fees will be as follows

– £30 for visitors entering via the Club Website (www.dwsc.co.uk) before 23.59 hrs on 5^th September 2017

– £40 for visitors entering after 6^th September 2017

– £20 for DWSC members entering via the Club Website before 23.59 hrs on 5^th September 2017

– £30 for DWSC members entering after 6^th September 2017

An additional UKWA levy of £3 per boat will be payable with the entry fees.

 

5.0     PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE

5.1     Registration will be from 0900 hours on Saturday.

5.2     Up to 6 races are scheduled, of which one must be completed to constitute a series. On Saturday three races are planned back to back.  On Sunday three races are planned to be sailed back to back.

5.3     The warning signal for the first race on Saturday will not be before 12.55 hrs.

6.0     SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

These will be available at registration and may be available online at www.dwsc.co.uk and the Class Association websites.

7.0     VENUE

Races will be sailed on the Queen Mother Reservoir, Horton Road, Horton, Slough Berkshire SL3 9NT

8.0     PROTESTS

The Exoneration Penalty and the Advisory Hearing and RYA Arbitration of the RYA Rules Disputes Procedures will be available.

9.0     SCORING

9.1     Standard RYA Appendix A.

9.2     The following discards will apply:

If 2 or less races are sailed, no discard with apply

If 3 or 4 races are sailed, 1 discard will be apply

If 5 or more races are sailed, 2 discards will apply.

10.0   SUPPORT BOATS

Except when requested by or agreed with the race committee, coaches and supporters may not communicate with competitors’ afloat, tow competitors to or from the race area, or enter the race area.

11.0   BERTHING

Boats shall be kept in their assigned spaces as described in the briefing.

12.0   RADIO COMMUNICATION

A boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats. This restriction includes mobile telephones.

13.0   RIGHTS TO USE NAMES AND LIKENESSES

Competitors automatically grant to the organizing authority without payment the right in perpetuity to make, use and show any motion pictures, still pictures and live, taped or filmed television of or relating to the event.

14.0   SAFETY REGULATIONS

All competitors shall wear a personal flotation device at all times when afloat, except briefly when changing or adjusting clothing or personal equipment.  Wet suits and dry suits are not considered personal flotation devices. 

15.0 RISK STATEMENT

Rule 4 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone”.

Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:

• They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;
• They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;
• They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;
• Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;
• The provision of a race management team, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers by the event organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;
• The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions, as can be practically provided in the circumstances. 

16.0 INSURANCE

Each boat is required to hold adequate insurance and in particular to hold insurance against third party claims in the sum of at least £2 million. 

• MEMBERSHIP AND LIABILITY
  • All visiting competitors will be deemed temporary members of Datchet Water Sailing Club during the event and as such shall abide by all the Club’s rules and bye-laws.
  • Members of the Club, their guests and visitors may use the Club premises and other facilities of the Club entirely at their own risk and implicitly accept that: the Club will not accept any liability for any damage to or loss of property belonging to members, their guests or visitors to the Club; the Club will not accept any liability for personal injury arising out of use of the Club premises or any other facilities of the Club, or out of participating in any race organised by the Club, whether sustained by members, their guests or visitors or caused by the said members, guests or visitors, whether or not such damage or injury could have been attributed to, or was occasioned by the neglect, default or negligence of any of the officers, committees or servants of the Club.
  • Before inviting any guests or visitors onto the premises or to participate in events organised by the Club, members will draw attention to this rule. 

18.0 LOCAL RULES (derived from the Bye-laws and club rules of Datchet Water Sailing Club) http://www.dwsc.co.uk/aboutus/club-by-laws/

18.1     Buoyancy: Each boat shall be fully equipped with sufficient buoyancy to enable it to float and to support its crew if capsized or holed. Personal flotation devices shall be worn by all crew members at all time whilst afloat, on the pontoons or near the water’s edge.

18.2     Protective clothing: Between 1st November and 30th April, full body wetsuits or dry-suits shall be worn by all competitors at all time whilst afloat. These do not constitute a personal flotation device.

18.3     Keeping Clear: Boats shall keep clear of all motor vessels that are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. When a boat finds herself unable to keep clear of such a vessel she may use propulsion, such as paddling or rocking, provided she does not gain a significant advantage in the race (rule 42.3(h)).

18.4     Parking: You may park boats and trailers on the gravel of the south side of the clubhouse keeping the south launching slipway clear for our keel boats on Sundays. All cars will be asked to park down on the lower level unless instructed otherwise by DWSC Officials.

18.5     Invasive Species: In accordance with Environment Agency guidelines and to prevent the spread of invasive species, DWSC is adhering to the CHECK CLEAN DRY principle. Please make sure your boat has been clean and dry for 2 days prior to your arrival and is washed and dried before returning to other venues.

NB: Dogs (with the exception of guide dogs) are not permitted on the club’s land.

 19.0 ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

Camping and camper vans will be available onsite for Friday and Saturday Night by prior arrangement (please visit our website regarding hotels and accommodation near by the club www.dwsc.co.uk ). Catering will be available through the club galley including an evening meal on the Saturday and after racing on Sunday.

www.dwsc.co.uk         sailing@dwsc.co.uk                 01753 683872

Queen Mother Reservoir, Horton Road, Horton, Slough, Berkshire  SL3 9NT

Andrew and Tom Wilson (11093) and Len Jones and Jamie Lea (11067) exchanged wins in races 4 and 5, but it looked like the 8th place suffered in one of the races on Saturday was going to hurt the Jones/Lea combination.

On to race 6 and capsizes aplenty in the gusty force 4-5 and ebb tide. One of the teams inspecting the bottom of the boat inevitably was Jones/Lea who pushed just too hard at the last windward mark. This was the curtain falling on their title challenge and an order for yet another Windex has been placed (bulk order).

Through the carnage, Andrew and Tom sailed serenely on and won their fourth race of the weekend to seal the title of Eastern Champions.

Overall positions (top three) as follows:
1st Andrew and Tom Wilson (11093)
2nd Len Jones and Jamie Lea (11067)
3rd Bill and Lisa Whitney (10688).

Full report and photos to follow on Y&Y soon (including details of the hysterical quiz night).

– Tim Townsend

The most consistent performers on the day were Andrew and Tom Wilson (11093) with two first places and a second. They lead overnight from Guy Marks and Mel Titmus (11050) and Bill and Lisa Whitney (10688) and Len Jones and Jamie Lea (11067).

Lighter winds forecast for tomorrow.

Before then there’s free beer, a drinks reception and dinner…

Tim Townsend 

Race 3 was won by Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend (10648) followed by Richard Stone and Catherine Gore (10974) whose fortunes had changed from a distinctly average first day. Roger Challis and Mark Johnston (10992) were third.

Race 4 was also won by Michael and Simon, again followed by Richard and Catherine. Andrew and Tom Wilson (11093) were third. This race saw the first appearance of the black flag which caught out Len Jones and Pete Mitchell (11067).

Race 5 was redemption time for Len and Pete who did a horizon job on the fleet. Colin May and Sarah Wallis (10768) had their best result of the series so far in finishing second. Roger and Mark finished third. Another notable feature of this race was that the class copyright holder inexplicably fell out of his boat. He recovered himself with minimal help from his crew.

Race 6 was Len and Pete’s again; another comfortable win for them this time from Michael and Simon. Richard and Catherine completed their day with third place. This was another race where the black flag was displayed, with Andrew and Tom Wilson and Barry Wolfenden and Alan Ritchie amongst its victims.

Top six after 6 races:

1st 10648 Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend (8 points)
2nd 10688 Bill Whitney and John Shelton (21)
3rd 10992 Roger Challis and Mark Johnston (21)
4th 11067 Len Jones and Pete Mitchell (26)
5th 11093 Andrew and Tom Wilson (32)
6th 10768 Colin May and Sarah Wallis (32)

 – Tim Townsend

Winners of the practice race were Bill Whitney and John Shelton (10688).

The first points race was also won by Bill and John from Andrew and Tom Wilson (11093) and Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend (10648).

The second points race was won by Michael and Simon followed by Roger Challis and Mark Johnston (10992) and Barry Wolfenden and Alan Ritchie (10936).

Top six overall after day one:

1st 10648 Michael and Simon (4 pts)
2nd 10688 Bill and John (7)
3rd 10992 Roger and Mark (8)
4th 10673 David Roberts and Mike Bryant (9)
5th 11093 Andrew and Tom (10)
6th 10936 Barry and Alan (12)

–  Tim Townsend

Please enter in good time and sign up for the supper on the Saturday.

I wish you all calm seas and good winds.

Best wishes,

Ben Davies

NoR can be found here: L’Escargot 2017 Notice of Race Final

and Entry form can be found here: L’Escargot 2017 Entry Final

Additional information at http://www.aldeburghyc.org.uk/