Michael Mckechnie and I had a very constructive meeting with Liam McGrath and Ian Fraser (Race Officer for Falmouth Week), facilitated by our ever diplomatic chairman Quentin, at the Dinghy Show last week.
We agreed that:
1. There will NO UKWA levy to cover race organisation costs
2. Consequently, there will be NO onwater judging and NO official UKWA measurer at the championships
Michael, Liam, Ian and I will form an unofficial race committee and we will sit down after sailing each day to review the races sailed. The Race Office WILL be ready protest competitors who sail the wrong course, and we WILL address any other issues which are brought to our attention by competitors. Clearly if any of these issues relate to Mike, Liam or myself (who will all be competing during the week) we will step down from the discussion.
Our aim will be to resolve issues through mediation and arbitration rather than formal protest whereever possible.
We will be sailing on the same course area as other classes competing in Falmouth Week. We agreed that the Wayfarers will start 2 minutes after the Asymmetrics class.
There will be two relatively short races (50-60 minutes) sailed back to back each day (apart from one day where the aim is have one longer race around the harbour). Race 1 will be triangle-sausage courses. Race 2 will be windward-leeward courses.
Thanks to those who have posted comments on this forum and those who have voted in the poll.
I think that it’s a great idea to try out on-water judging at the Southern Area Champs and I hope that it happens. I am confident that some members’ objections to judging will disappear once they have experienced it.
It’s guranteed to be a great week’s sailing at Falmouth. Book your accommodation NOW!
Steve