ICSA Procedural and Class Rules

Procedural and Class Rules Index (by MCSA)

FOREWORD

The Procedural and Class Rules for Inter-Collegiate Competition were originally drawn up in 1949 by the Rules Committee of the Inter-Collegiate Yacht Racing Association of North America (predecessor to the ICSA). This edition of the Procedural and Class Rules represents the eleventh revision of the Procedural Rules and organizes a portion into class rules.

It is likely that continuing revisions will be necessary. Member colleges, teams, clubs and individuals are invited to submit suggestions for rule improvements to their District Secretaries or the ICSA President for consideration by the Rules Committee for the next revision of the rules, which is slated to be issued in January 2009.

ICSA RULES COMMITTEE

Geoffrey Becker, Chair (MAISA)
Gerard Coleman (SEISA)
Brendan Fahey (NWICSA)
Ward Cromwell (SAISA)
George H. Griswold (MCSA)
Brian Doyle (NEISA)
Bryan McDonald (PCIYRA)

WHAT IS THE ICSA?

• The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association of North America (ICSA) is the governing body for the sport of intercollegiate sailboat racing. The ICSA promotes, legislates, supervises and provides overall guidance to our seven Member Districts and affiliated institutions.
• ICSA is committed to promoting outstanding sportsmanship and competition at a variety of levels for a broad range of colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. Some contests are designed for new or less competitive programs, while at the very highest level North American Championships are conducted in six disciplines. Throughout, ICSA fosters seamanship, boating safety, and fair sailing practices.
• ICSA has a strong tradition of student leadership and representation, marking it apart from most, if not all, other college sports. Undergraduates participate fully in the development of policies and administration of the sport and are full members of the ICSA Board of Directors, which also includes graduates with extensive experience as former competitors, advisers, administrators, and coaches.
• Like many non-traditional sports, college sailing is not administered by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). However, by individual application to the NCAA, member institutions may count sailing for purposes of meeting NCAA requirements for sports sponsorship, and a number of NCAA colleges count their women’s sailing teams when determining their compliance with federally mandated Title IX gender equity requirements.
• ICSA is a member the United States Sailing Association, recognized by the United States Congress and the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the Sport of Sailing.

PART I – BASIC RULES

1. COMPETITIVE PRINCIPLES

The aim of all competitions shall be to declare as winner the college or person best qualified on the merits of superior sailing skill and sportsmanship. The host college shall make every effort to ensure that each race of a regatta is a fair test of sailing and maintains the highest standards of sportsmanship.

2. PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTENTS

The purpose of these Procedural and Class Rules (PR) is the unification of all conditions for inter-collegiate sailing competitions throughout North America. All contestants shall be responsible for full knowledge of the contents of these Procedural and Class Rules.

3. RULES

a) All regattas within the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association of North America (ICSA) shall be governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) as adopted by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the United Stated Sailing Association (US SAILING), including the prescriptions of US SAILING, except as any are changed herein by these Procedural and Class Rules.

b) For the purposes of RRS 88.2(a), these Procedural and Class Rules and other information provided by the ICSA Intersectional or District Schedule shall rank as the Notice of Race for all ICSA regattas.

c) For the purpose of RRS 89.2, these Procedural Rules and their Appendices shall rank as sailing instructions for all ICSA regattas. Host colleges may provide further details.

d) For the purposes of RRS 86.1(c), Part VII shall rank as class rules for all ICSA regattas.

e) A copy of the Procedural and Class Rules shall be posted or be readily available at all ICSA regattas.

4. CHANGING PROCEDURAL AND CLASS RULES

Any changes to these Procedural and Class Rules shall be in accordance with RRS 89.2(c). Except as listed below, a Procedural Rule may be changed by referring specifically to it and stating the change. Procedural Rules of Part I, Part II, Part III, Part VII, PR 15, PR 19, or PR 33 shall not be changed without written permission of the ICSA President. Any of the Procedural Rules may be changed by vote of the membership of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association of North America at a regularly scheduled annual meeting.

PART II - REQUIREMENTS FOR REGATTAS

5. ICSA CHAMPIONSHIPS and the KENNEDY CUP

ICSA is the organizing authority for the ICSA Championships, establishes the Conditions for these events, and approves and supervises their management by the host college and venue. ICSA is the organizing authority and establishes the Conditions for the Kennedy Cup, but responsibility for the event management rests with the host, the U.S. Naval Academy.

6. INTERSECTIONAL REGATTAS

ICSA is the organizing authority for all intersectional regattas for which colleges from more than one Member District are eligible and approves their format and scheduling. Management of these events rests with the host District and college. (See also PR Appendix 4 – Penalty for Failure to Compete in an Intersectional Regatta.)

7. TWO-DISTRICT REGATTAS

Regattas for colleges from two contiguous Districts may be coordinated and scheduled by the two Districts if the events are not to be included on the Intersectional Schedule. The host District is the organizing authority for such events and the host college is responsible for regatta management.

8. DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS

Districts are required to hold championships or regattas that are eliminations for ICSA Championships. Each District is the organizing authority for its championship or elimination. District Championships shall, when practicable, conform to the Conditions of the appropriate ICSA Championship and are restricted to Regular and Regular/Provisional members of the Association.

9. OTHER DISTRICT REGATTAS

Each District is the organizing authority for all other regattas involving colleges solely within the District and approves, coordinates and schedules such regattas

10. NEW AND PROMOTIONAL REGATTAS

ICSA encourages the development of new or novel regattas and sailing opportunities for college sailors. Any regatta in this category must be supportive of ICSA and District schedules, procedures and principles. The scheduling and conduct of such regattas, which are not intersectional regattas, but which are to be attended by colleges from more than one Member District and which may be either wholly or partially inter-collegiate, shall be cleared through the ICSA President and coordinated through the ICSA Intersectional Coordinator.

PART III - REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITORS

11. ELIGIBILITY FOR COLLEGES

a) To be eligible to compete, a college shall be a Member, in good standing, of a District Association and meet any special conditions adopted by the sanctioning or sponsoring Association, unless otherwise permitted by the President of ICSA.

b) Eligibility for ICSA Championships - Only Regular and Regular/Provisional Member Colleges of the Districts shall be eligible to compete in ICSA Championships. Any Member College that has not competed in at least one regularly scheduled regatta during the previous four semesters shall be reduced to Associate Member status within its District and shall not be eligible to compete in ICSA Championships.

c) ICSA or a District Association may bar a college from any regatta if that college’s dues, entry fees, or assessments are not current.

d) Exception for Non-Members - Except for Intersectional events, District championships and qualifying regattas, a District may invite a prospective college to compete up to three times per season before applying for membership. Prospective colleges shall provide the District with prior written authorization for their students to compete. Students from non-member colleges shall be subject to these Procedural Rules.

12. ELIGIBILITY FOR STUDENTS See also Appendix 3

a) Full-Time Student Status – Except as provided in PR 12(b), 12(d) & 39(c), all competitors shall be full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the college they represent and shall be registered with their ICSA District Association.

b) Exception: Final Term, Semester or Quarter - An undergraduate student, with eligibility remaining (see PR 12(c)(i)) in his/her last term, semester or quarter prior to graduating, who is enrolled in less than full-time, but is carrying the classes necessary for graduation at the end of that term, semester or quarter, may compete. This exception shall be invoked only once.

c) Seasons of Eligibility

i) No student shall compete for more than eight seasons within five consecutive years, beginning with the season in which the student first competes in an inter-collegiate regatta. The Fall Season is August 16 - January 15 and the Spring Season is January 16 - June 30.

ii) No student shall compete for more than one college in any one season except as specified in PR 39(c).

iii) A student’s eligibility for an ICSA Championship shall be determined by the student’s eligibility for the season in which the Championship is held, subject to PR 12(d) below.

d) Eligibility after Graduation – No student shall represent a college after receiving a bachelor’s degree from any college, except that a student, eligible to compete when the degree was received, shall remain eligible until the end of that season.

e) Financial Assistance - No student shall receive financial assistance to attend college based upon sailing ability.

f) Amateur Status - A student shall be a US Group 1 or US Group 2 competitor as defined by ISAF Regulation 22. No student shall hold a compensated position as a college sailing coach. (Text of ISAF Regulations can be found at www.sailing.org)

g) Eligibility Questions - All questions and protests concerning eligibility shall be decided by the ICSA Eligibility Committee, except that it shall refer questions relating to amateur status under ISAF Regulation 22 to the ISAF Classification Authority. (Text of ISAF Regulations can be found at www.sailing.org)

13. RECORD OF PARTICIPATION FORM

a) Each college shall enter legibly and completely on the Record of Participation Form the names and class years of all skippers and crews as well as the races in which they competed. By the end of a regatta, a responsible college team representative shall sign the Record of Participation Form.

i) In fleet racing events, any college failing to complete or sign the Record of Participation Form before the expiration of Protest Time at the end of the regatta, shall have 20 POINTS per division added to their final regatta score by the Regatta Chairman, the District Graduate Secretary or the ICSA Intersectional Coordinator (Changes RRS 63.1 & A4.1) (See also PR 21, PR 22 and PR Appendix 6 - RECORD OF PARTICIPATION FORM).

ii) In team racing events, any college failing to complete or sign the Record of Participation Form before the expiration of Protest Time at the end of the regatta, shall have TWO WINS subtracted and TWO LOSSES added to their final regatta score by the Regatta Chairman, the District Graduate Secretary or the ICSA Intersectional Coordinator (Changes RRS 63.1 & D4.1) (See also PR 23 and PR Appendix 6 - RECORD OF PARTICIPATION FORM).

b) Penalty for Use of Ineligible Student - The penalty for use of an ineligible student, as determined by the Eligibility Committee, shall be disqualification and re-scoring of the affected races. Requests for reinstatement shall be fully documented and sent to the college’s District Graduate Secretary, who shall send the documentation, with a recommendation for action, to the ICSA Appeals Committee, which shall make the final ruling (Changes RRS 63.1 & A4.1 or D3.1) (See also PR 21 & PR 22 or PR 23).

14. CONTESTANT CONDUCT

a) No contestant shall use, either on or off the water, during the hours of competition, any controlled substance including, but not limited to, marijuana and alcoholic beverages (distilled spirits, wine or beer), unless prescribed by a licensed physician. Violations of PR 15(a) shall be reported to the competitor’s District Graduate Secretary and to the ICSA President for appropriate action.

b) No contestant shall use any tobacco product during the hours of competition in the vicinity of the Regatta Site.

PART IV - MANAGEMENT OF REGATTAS

SECTION A – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

15. REGATTA OFFICIALS

a) The Regatta Chairman and Jury shall be approved by the President of ICSA for ICSA Championships; the Graduate Secretary of the District for District championships and Intersectional regattas; and the host college for other regattas.

b)The Race Committee shall include

i) A Regatta Chairman, who is responsible for all decisions affecting the conduct of the regatta, except as provided in PR 15(b)(ii), below;

ii) A Protest Committee or Jury (hereinafter Jury), which shall decide all questions arising under the PR and RRS as well as ensure the fairness of the competition;

iii) A Scorer, who shall record the race results and prepare a Regatta Report for the Regatta Chairman;

iv) A Rescue Party, who shall operate a rescue launch.

c) Additional officials may be appointed and may include an honorary Regatta Chairman.

d) The Regatta Chairman and Jury should not be undergraduates.

16. CONDUCT OF REGATTAS – GENERAL

a) Sailing Instructions – See PR 3(c).

b) Courses and Signals

i) All courses, if possible, shall be laid out so that the first leg is a beat to windward. Dinghy courses should be 18-25 minutes in duration for fleet racing, 12-15 minutes in duration for team racing and 30-45 minutes in duration for boats larger than 19 feet overall length.

ii) To maintain a course configuration or change course length marks may be moved as necessary, but no mark shall be moved when any boat is on the leg that it terminates. A leg of the course may not be deleted. (DELETES RRS 32.2)

iii) Starting Systems - For regattas, RRS Appendix Q - Sound-Signal Starting System (US SAILING Prescription) shall be used as changed in PR 16(b)(iv). For regattas using boats larger than 19 feet overall length, RRS 26 may be used.

iv) Individual Recall - When, at a boat’s starting signal, any part of her hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line or she must comply with RRS 30.1, the race committee shall promptly display flag X (or a designated flag or device). The flag shall be displayed until all such boats are completely on the pre-start side of the starting line or its extensions and have complied with RRS 30.1, if it applies, but not later than two minutes after the starting signal, whichever is earlier. The Race Committee may also attempt to notify individual boats by hailing their sail or bow numbers (Replaces RRS 29.1 & Changes RRS Q6).

v) General Recall – The race committee may signal a general recall by multiple sounds and the hail of “general recall” and need not display of the First Substitute. Following a general recall, the warning for any subsequent start may be initiated at any time. (Changes RRS 29.2) After a general recall, the Round-an-End Rule, RRS 30.1, shall apply and no signal need be given. (Changes RRS 30.1)

vi) Special Signals - The sailing instructions shall designate any special signals and explain their meaning.

c) Time Limits

i) There is no time limit for dinghy races. While either the Regatta Chairman or the Jury may abandon a race, such authority should be exercised with caution, and a sound signal and the hail of “Abandoned” may be used in place of other visual signals. (Changes RRS 32.1)

ii) The time limit for races using boats larger than 19 feet overall length shall be 90 minutes for the leading boat to finish and 30 minutes for the leading boat to pass the first mark. All boats not finishing within 30 minutes of the first boat shall be scored DNF(Changes RRS 35).

iii) A time limit for the start of the last race on a given day may be set prior to the first race of that day, unless such time is in the Schedule Bulletin or other written notice.

d) Postponing a Regatta - When a regatta in progress is postponed to a later date it shall be started anew, except for team races which shall be started at the point at which racing, was halted.

17. COACHING

The following limitations are placed on the actions of coaches, including Race Committee or college team members acting as coaches

a) When and Where Permissible - A competitor may receive coaching, assistance, equipment, or sustenance only while ashore or on the dock, except that, when boats do not dock after each race, the Race Committee may designate an area or provide a boat where coaching may take place, provided that all coaches have equal access to the area or boat. When a coach is also acting as a member of the Race Committee, his/her contact with a competitor shall also be limited to a designated area; otherwise that coach shall be allowed to perform duties necessary in running the regatta.

b) Before Protesting - A competitor shall not communicate with a coach before reporting an intention to protest to the Race Committee. Breaking this rule may be grounds for closing the protest.

c) Outside Help - Communication between teammates while racing in different boats or divisions is limited only by the provisions of RRS 41(Outside Help).

d) Penalty for Breaking PR 17 - Breaking PR 17(a) or 17(c) during a race shall subject a boat to disqualification from that race and when not racing shall subject a boat to disqualification from the race just completed in that division.

18. BREAKDOWNS

a) When a boat suffers a breakdown, the boat’s crew shall make all reasonable efforts to fix the damage and continue racing, unless that would result in further damage or risk to the crew. Race officials may require a damaged boat to retire.

b) When a boat’s finishing position is materially prejudiced by equipment failure clearly not the fault of the boat’s crew or by swamping, capsizing, disablement or damage caused by an infringing boat, that boat may be awarded compensation.

c) Compensation for Breakdowns - When the Jury is satisfied that compensation is warranted; it shall use one of the following methods

i) Unless PR 18(c)(ii) or (iii), below, apply, points shall be awarded as the college’s average score for all other races of that division. However, the boat shall receive its actual finishing place if that place was better than the average score. Decimals are rounded to the nearer integer, rounding .5 up. Such compensation may result in two boats having the same score.

ii) If the breakdown occurred at or near the finishing line and the boat’s position was clearly secure, she may be scored in that position. Even though other boats may have finished ahead of the BKD boat, such boats shall be scored as having finished behind the RDG boat.

iii) When method PR 18(c)(i), above, clearly does not yield a fair scoring of a competitor’s performance in that race and PR 18(c)(ii), above, does not apply, the Jury may award compensation that is more equitable for that competitor.

d) Limit on Compensation for Breakdowns - The award of breakdown points (BKD) to a college shall be limited to two per division when six or more races are sailed, one per division when less than six races are sailed. If a boat breaks down in a race and cannot be repaired or replaced in time for the subsequent race(s), the college(s) assigned to that boat shall be awarded BYE(s) for the race(s).

19. REGATTA REPORTS

Within three days after a regatta, the Regatta Chairman shall submit a report to the host District’s Graduate Secretary, who shall distribute it to any other District Associations represented in the regatta. Reports for ICSA and District Championships shall also be sent to the District Graduate Secretary and Intersectional Coordinator of ICSA. The report shall consist of

a) The regatta name and date;

b) A tally sheet showing the total scores for each college, the winning skippers and crews, and the skippers and crews of at least the first three colleges in each division;

c) A report showing the points scored by each college in each race;

d) A signed Record of Participation Form as required by PR 13(a);

e) A synopsis of the racing conditions (wind, water, etc).

The host college shall retain a copy of the regatta report. In addition, for eliminations held 14 days or less prior to a championship, or other regatta for which colleges qualify, the final scores shall be transmitted immediately to the Graduate Secretary.

SECTION B – FLEET RACE REQUIREMENTS

20. CONDUCT OF REGATTAS – FLEET RACING

a) Divisions - In regattas of four or more colleges, there shall be two or more divisions, unless otherwise specified in the Schedule Bulletin or other written notice. Otherwise, the competing colleges shall sail and be scored as one division.

b) Rotation of Boats

i) The standard format for fleet racing regattas shall be one or more round robins, using a change of boat system, such that each college shall sail each boat once if the round robin is completed (except for events held in multiple fleets of boats or other special events, which shall designate the format in writing). In any boat rotation format, no college shall sail the same boat for more than two consecutive races. When there are fewer boats than competing colleges, each college shall be given “BYE(s)” to complete the round robin.

ii) Unless there is a reasonable chance that two or more round robins can be completed and the intention to do so is announced before the regatta begins, a regatta shall be limited to one round robin.

ii) The Regatta Chairman shall try to ensure that the boats used are equal in performance. Boats clearly superior or inferior should be excluded. A substitute boat may be inserted in the rotation because of damage, but the sails of the original boat shall be used, if possible.

21. SCORING RACES

a) Basic Scoring – The Low Point Scoring System, RRS Appendix A excluding A2, A8, A9 & A10, as changed by PR 21(b), 21(c) & 22, below, shall be used.

b) Series Score – Races shall be numbered sequentially in order by division. Each college’s series score shall be the total of its race scores for that division. The college with the lowest series score wins and the others shall be ranked accordingly (Replaces RRS A2).

c) BYE – A boat not sailing (passing by) a race at the direction of the Race Committee (BYE) shall be scored using the procedure in PR 18(c)(i).

d) BKD & RDG – A boat awarded breakdown points (BKD) and a boat given redress (RDG) shall be scored by the procedure in PR 18, unless, in the latter case, the Jury directs otherwise. (Changes RRS 64.2).

22. SCORING REGATTAS

a) Official Regatta – An official regatta shall be published in the District’s regatta schedule and shall consist of at least two colleges sailing a minimum of three races in each division.

b) Regatta Score – Colleges shall be ranked, after adding all division series scores, in order of lowest total score first and highest total score last. Final regatta scores shall be based only on the scores of the races of which each division has completed an equal number.

c) Breaking Ties

i) In case of a tie between two or more colleges, in a division or regatta, they shall be ranked in order of the number of times each college scored better than another of the tied colleges (considering breakdown points and BYEs awarded).

ii) If a tie remains between two or more colleges, each college’s race scores shall be listed in order of best to worst, and at the first point(s) where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favor of the college with the best score(s).

iii)If a tie still remains between two or more colleges, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in the last race where all of the tied colleges received a score.

SECTION C – TEAM RACE REQUIREMENTS

23. TEAM-RACING RULES AND SCORING

RRS Appendix D shall be used for team-racing regattas, deleting the red flag requirement in RRS 61.1(a) & D5.1. D4.2 is replaced by PR 23(b) & (c), below

a) Limited Umpiring – when the sailing instructions state that Limited Umpiring (RRS D2.3(b)) is to be used, RRS D2.2(a) is deleted and replaced by the following:

D2.2(a) – When a boat protests under a rule of part 2 or under rule 31.1, 42 or 44, she is not entitled to a hearing, except under rule 14 when there is damage or injury. Instead, when the protested boat fails to either acknowledge breaking a rule or to take the appropriate penalty, the protesting boat may request a decision by conspicuously displaying a raised open hand and hailing “Umpire”.

b) Breaking Ties - The following methods shall be used for breaking ties

1)A sail-off, if conditions permit and after prescribed sailing hours if necessary, of a single race between each tied college (which does not affect their overall won/lost records);

2)Who beat whom, i.e., the college beating the other more times when the tied colleges met;

3)Total point difference of the tied colleges when they met;

4)A future sail-off, to be scheduled by the Regatta Chairman either at the same site or at a neutral, equitable, site.

c)The methods in PR 23(b), above, shall be applied in the order specified below when

i) A tie involves a qualifying place for a future regatta or round, and the tied colleges met once - 1, 2, 3, 4; and they met more than once - 2, 1, 3, 4;

ii)A tie involves a trophy (but not a qualifying place), and the tied colleges met once - 1, 2, 3, tie stands; and they met more than once - 2, 1, 3, tie stands;

iii)A tie involves neither a qualifying nor a trophy place - 2, 3, tie stands - unless the race committee, in its discretion, elects to use PR 24(c)(ii), above.

iv) When none of the methods in PR 24(c)(i), above, are able to break a tie, the place shall be decided by the toss of a coin.

d) Breakdowns in Team Racing - Breakdowns in Team Racing shall be scored in accordance with PR 18 & RRS D5.

e) Changing the Format - When conditions make the announced format unmanageable, the District Graduate Officer (if present) or the Regatta Chairman and Jury may alter the format to ensure an equitable determination of the winner.

f) Expedited Hearing Procedure – When the sailing instructions so state, PR Appendix 9 shall be in effect.

PART V - OTHER SAILING RULES

24. IMMEDIATE PENALTIES FOR BREAKING RRS 42

When the sailing instructions state this rule is in effect, ‘Appendix P’ of the RRS shall be in effect with the changes below.

a) Delete the word “first” in P2.1.

b) Delete P2.2 and P2.3.

c) P3 is replaced with: “If a boat has been protested under rule P1 and the Race Committee signals a postponement, general recall or abandonment, the penalty is cancelled.”

25. SERIOUS COLLISIONS

A collision causing damage requiring more than normal maintenance is regarded as a serious incident. When such damage occurs, the Jury shall hold a hearing under RRS 60.2, 60.3 & 63 to determine the facts and consider whether those involved exercised reasonable care in handling their boats. When the Jury finds that either or both boat(s) did not, one or both shall be disqualified, regardless of any alternative penalty(ies) accepted under RRS 44.1. In extreme cases, either or both boat(s) may be excluded from the rest of the regatta (Changes RRS 14).

PART VI - PROTESTS, PENALTIES, AND APPEALS

26. NOTIFICATION

a) The “red flag” requirement of RRS 61.1(a) is deleted and when the identity of the protested boat could be uncertain, the boat’s sail number shall be included in the hail. Also, failure of a hailed boat to hear the hail shall not, by itself, be grounds for closing the protest. (Changes 61.1(a))

b) A protesting boat shall, at the first reasonable opportunity after finishing, notify both the Race Committee and the protested boat of intent to protest. Failure to do so may be grounds for closing the protest under RRS 63.5.

c) Race Committee Protests - If the race committee or the protest committee intends to protest a boat following an incident that it observes in the racing area, it should if possible, at the first reasonable opportunity, inform the boat by making a sound signal, hailing "protest" and her sail number. The signaled boat is then allowed to take an alternate penalty, as available (Changes RRS 61.1(b)).

27. PROTEST TIME LIMIT

Protest Time Limit – Unless otherwise stated in the sailing instructions, a protest by a boat, or by the Race Committee or Jury about an incident observed in the racing area, shall be delivered to the race office no later than 30 minutes after the last boat reaches the shore, after the last race of the day.

28. ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES

a)In extreme wind conditions, the Race Committee or Jury may substitute the scoring penalty of RRS 44.3 (see PR 28(b), below) for breaking a rule of RRS PART 2 - When Boats Meet and RRS 31 - Touching a Mark.

b) For regattas using boats larger than 19 feet overall length, the scoring penalty of RRS 44.3, using 20% of the number of colleges entered or a minimum of two positions, whichever is higher, shall apply. When yellow flags are not provided, a hail of “yellow flag” shall suffice as acceptance of the penalty (Changes RRS 44.3).

c) When a boat, after accepting an alternative penalty, protests the other boat, it shall be only on the allegation that the other boat also broke a rule in the same incident (Changes RRS 60.1).

29. INTERESTED PARTIES

Under RRS 63.4, a coach or a person in a similar capacity is not an interested party, except when the college the coach represents is a party to the hearing.

30. HEARINGS

The Jury shall take such evidence, as it deems necessary to determine the facts (Replaces RRS 63.6).

31. WRITTEN PROTEST DECISIONS

A request for a written protest decision by a party to the hearing shall be made before the Jury departs the regatta (Changes RRS 65.2).

32. GROSS BREACH OF THE RULES OR MISCONDUCT

For the purpose of RRS 69.1, the term 'competitor' shall be interpreted to include competitor, college team member, or coach. And the term 'a boat' shall be interpreted to include a college. Any penalty imposed under this rule shall be reported to the District Graduate Secretary and the President of ICSA.

33. APPEALS AND QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION

a) RRS 70, Appeals; Confirmation or Correction of Decisions; Rule Interpretations and RRS Appendix F Appeals Procedures, shall apply.

b) There will be no fee for appeals to the ICSA/ISSA Appeals Committee.

c) In accordance with RRS 70.4(a), the right of appeal is denied at all ladder events as identified by the ICSA Intersectional or District Schedule.

PART VII – ICSA CLASS RULES

SECTION A - ADMINISTRATION

34. ISAF RULES

These ICSA Class Rules shall be read in conjunction with the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) as adopted by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the United Stated Sailing Association (US SAILING), including the prescriptions of US SAILING and the ICSA Procedural Rules.

35. CLASS RULES AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these ICSA Class Rules are subject to the approval of the ICSA Board of Directors at a regularly scheduled annual meeting.

36. BOATS

a) Boats used in ICSA regattas shall

i) be sailed as supplied by the host college or district; or

ii) be approved for competition by the host college or district when teams supply their own boats.

b) The standing rigging of boats shall not be altered, unless approved by the race committee.

c) The host college may specify the purchase ratio of running rigging.

37. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

Unless otherwise specified in the sailing instructions, only signal flags, tape, tell tales, bailers, fastening devices, knife, pliers, screwdriver, nutrition, and drinking water may be carried while racing.

SECTION B – REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

38. SAFETY

a) Swimming Requirement – The faculty advisor, coach, or other college official shall certify, when a student registers with a District Association, that the student is able to swim at least 50 yards and tread water for five minutes in fresh water while wearing boots, shoes or sneakers.

b) Exception for Disabled - A District Graduate Secretary may waive PR 38(a) in case of physical disability, provided adequate life-saving equipment is worn at all times.

c) Personal Flotation Devices – Inherently buoyant personal flotation devices (USCG Certified Non-Inflatable Type III or Type V, or conforming to the appropriate governmental regulations of the country where the competing college is located) shall be worn by all competitors while on the water. PFDs shall be worn outside all clothing and foul weather gear, except that a thin tee shirt may be worn over the PFD to prevent snagging on lines and equipment. PFDs are not required when ashore or on objects attached to shore. PR 38(c) shall be enforced at all times, in all ICSA regattas. (PR 38(c) changes RRS 40 and the Part 4 preamble.)

d) Special Clothing - Host colleges may require special clothing (wet or dry suits) for any regatta, providing advance written notice is given to each competing college.

39. CREWS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

a) Except for singlehanded dinghies, two students constitute a dinghy crew. For regattas using boats larger than 19 feet overall length, the Schedule Bulletin or other written notice shall specify the number of crewmembers.

b) Limitations and Exceptions - There is no limitation on substitutions during a regatta, except that, when there are two or more divisions, a student

i) After competing as a skipper, shall not sail in any other division; but

ii) After competing as crew, may shift to another division as skipper or crew but thereafter sail only in that division.

iii) The penalty for breaking PR 39(b)(i) or PR 39(b)(ii) will be disqualification and re-scoring of the affected races.

c) Emergency Substitutions - In an emergency (e.g., illness or failure of transportation), a student of another college may substitute as crew (not skipper) provided that

i) The regatta is not a District or ICSA Championship or an elimination leading to either;

ii) The substitute meets the requirements of PR 12 & 38; and,

iii) The Regatta Chairman approves the substitution.

40. MEANS OF PROPULSION, RRS 42

a) During and immediately after tacking or gybing, a boat’s crew may move their bodies to roll the boat, provided that the boat’s mast does not move away from the vertical more than once. (Replaces RRS 42.3(b))

b) Ooching, sudden forward body movement, stopped abruptly, is permitted when it is possible to initiate surfing (rapidly accelerating down the leeward side of a wave) or planing. RRS 42.2(c) is deleted.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1 - PRACTICE PRIOR TO ICSA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Once a college has qualified for a ICSA championship, members of that college shall not sail at, or in the vicinity of, the championship site, nor shall they sail the actual boats to be used in the championship, without the express consent of the ICSA President, except when it is their college’s home waters, and/or boats, or they are competing in a previously scheduled District regatta at the site.

APPENDIX 2 - RULES FOR SAILBOARD REGATTAS

1. RRS Appendix B shall apply to all sailboard regattas.

2. When all the boards used in a regatta meet one-design specifications, the rotation of boards is not required.

3. Harnesses may be used, but they shall be supplied by competitors and rotate with them.

4. Regattas may include slalom and long-distance racing, provided

a) The use of these formats is announced in the Schedule Bulletin, including their weighting in the scoring; and

b) Long-distance racing is limited to one race with a time limit of two hours, during which time all competitors shall remain within sight of the Race Committee.

APPENDIX 3 - SUMMARY OF SELECTED NCAA REGS

Some ICSA colleges include sailing, classified by NCAA as an individual sport, in their sponsorships of sports activity and are bound by NCAA regulations. Other ICSA colleges apply those regulations voluntarily. The relevant regulations, current as of 1999 follow. Since NCAA revises its regulations annually, affected colleges should consult with their NCAA compliance officer when questions arise.

1. A student shall not practice and/or compete for more than 20 hours a week (a regatta day counts as three hours). Voluntary individual workouts do not count against the permitted hours when a coach is present for safety purposes only and provides no instruction or coaching.

2. There is no limit to the number of regattas in which a college may compete, but no student shall compete in more than 24 regattas during the academic year.

3. For sailing to qualify as an NCAA sport, a college shall compete in a minimum of 12 regattas in the academic year, using a minimum of four students in each regatta.

4. Students shall not compete on an outside team during the academic year but may compete in outside competition, provided they compete only as individuals who do not represent their colleges, and provided further that the other participants compete on the same basis. NCAA classifies skipper and crew not as a team but as a unit of a team.

5. There is no limit on outside competition during the summer, nor on the number of students from the same college who may compete on the same outside team.

6. For the purpose of determining the length of season (the starting and ending dates), the Spring ICSA Championships shall be regarded as three categories of competition within one ICSA Championship. Therefore, the period commencing with the conclusion of a District’s schedule and terminating with the Spring ICSA Championships shall not count as part of the Spring season.

APPENDIX 4 - PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPETE IN AN INTERSECTIONAL REGATTA

1. A college that fails to attend an out-of-district Intersectional for which it has been scheduled, attends with less than a full team, or departs before the conclusion of the regatta without the consent of Regatta Chairman, shall not be permitted to schedule or compete in any out-of-district Intersectional events during the next spring season.

2. This penalty (PR Appendix 4.1) shall not be imposed if the college’s District Graduate Secretary and the ICSA Intersectional Coordinator are notified prior to the withdrawal date for the regatta and an alternate college is secured to fill the berth.

3. This penalty (PR Appendix 4.1) may be modified or set aside for a compelling reason. Requests for penalty modification shall be fully documented and sent to the college’s District Graduate Secretary, who shall send the documentation, with a recommendation for action, to the ICSA President, who shall make the final ruling.

APPENDIX 5 - RECOMMENDED PROTEST FORM

Click here for a sample ICSA Protest Form (PDF Format)

APPENDIX 6 - RECORD OF PARTICIPATION FORM

Click here for a sample Record of Participation Form (PDF Format)

APPENDIX 7 - GUIDELINES FOR BREAKDOWNS

This is intended to guide competitors, race committees, and judges in the application of PRs 18 & 23(c), Breakdowns, but not to limit the authority of judges in resolving individual cases equitably.

Competitors are expected to use reasonable care and seamanship in handling boats. They are also expected to check the likely points of failure of a boat they are about to sail. If they do not do so, they should not expect relief when simple and preventable failures occur.

At the competitors’ meeting, the Race Committee should point out the particular items on the boat(s) being used that need to be checked before each race. Judges should take into account a situation in which a competitor legitimately did not have time to make the necessary inspections.

The tests for breakdown compensation include:

1) Did a piece of equipment break?

2) If so, did a significant loss of finishing position result?

3) Could the failure have been prevented by reasonable inspection and/or adjustment before the race?

4) Was the equipment used in an improper manner?

Compensation should be awarded only when equipment fails, not for improper handling or poor seamanship. Where on the course the failure occurred should be considered in determining whether it caused a significant loss of finishing position.

Examples of equipment failure for which compensation should be considered, even though the equipment may still be serviceable, if the competitor made a visual inspection before the race:

1) Loss of a batten during a heavy-air race, if the sail was not rigged by the competitor;

2) Water in air-tight compartment(s) in excess of one gallon, when the competitor was not given time to drain the compartment(s);

3) Damage to a centerboard gasket that significantly increases drag and/or permits excessive amounts of water to enter the boat.

Examples of equipment failure for which compensation should not be awarded, when the equipment remains serviceable:

1) Failure of a halyard knot or the opening of a halyard shackle, if rigged by the competitor;

2) Pintles and gudgeons that become disengaged;

3) Outhauls or boom vangs that disengage or slip;

4) “Ring dings” or fast pins that disengage because they were not taped.

APPENDIX 8 - GUIDELINES FOR ON-THE-WATER JUDGING

Responsibilities and Protesting

The following is intended to promote uniform practices among judges resulting in a fairer competition for all competitors. Generally, judges have three responsibilities at regattas:

1) To hear and decide protests;

2) To monitor the racing;

3) To advise the Race Committee as necessary and appropriate.

Boat racing, at its best, is self-policing. As monitors, the very presence of judges on the course should reduce disputes and improve compliance with the rules. Therefore, judges should limit their actions to violations under PR 27 or 26(c) to bring protests under RRS 60.2 & 60.3 to:

1) Clear-cut breaches of RRS 42, Propulsion;

2) Obvious, audible collisions and no penalty taken nor any competitor protest (see RRS 44);

3) Collisions for which the alternative penalties of RRS 44 are insufficient (see RRS 44.1);

4) Marks clearly touched and no penalty taken nor any competitor protest (see RRS 31).

If you are planning to file a rule 60.2 (protests initiated by the RC) or 60.3 (protests initiated by the PC) protest, then you are strongly urged to comply with PR 26(c) (i.e. hail protest at the time of the incident).

Kinetics

A Jury may decide to issue warnings. A flagrant violation may be protested without a prior warning. If a warning is given, it should be made as loudly and clearly as possible, so other boats can hear.

Before a protest action is brought, a judge should be absolutely certain that the rule was clearly, not marginally, broken. The boat's actions should be documented, which is best done with a tape recording (or wet note) that details the action as it happens (See below). In an ideal situation, two judges should be together in each on the water judging boat. If both judges see an incident, there should be agreement before a penalty or protest is hailed (ref PR 26(c)). If only one judge has seen the incident, they should be absolutely certain that a rule was broken before initiating action. If there is doubt that a rule has been broken, it should be assumed it has not (per the last point of certainty guidelines in other areas of our sport).

Equipment and Observation

When there is a choice, the best boats for judges are small and agile, such as hard-bottomed inflatable boats or boats similar in design to Boston Whalers. They also make little wake at planing speed. Wake is of great concern to sailors, even when it is doing no harm. Paper, pencil and a tape recorder are the most useful items for judges to carry. A count up/down watch, a wind vane (a piece of yarn or audio tape on a stick works fine), an anemometer, a compass, and binoculars may also be useful. Pencil and paper are best used for recording general information such as wind and water conditions, namely wave height and the distance between crests, and for incidental notes. If there is more than one judge boat on the water, VHF radios are very useful. Preserve the tape recorder for making observations of actions by boats so they can be played back during hearings. In making the recording: identify the boat doubly, by sail number and another item; cite the location; describe what the Jury is seeing as it occurs; and describe the actions of other nearby boats (it helps, greatly, to demonstrate that a breaching boat stands out like a sore thumb). As an example: "We are watching sail number 13, skipper with red cap, half-way up the first windward leg; pumping by hiking; out in, out in, out in, out in; top of mast in an arc of two feet or more; out in, out in; has stopped; started again; out in, out in, out in; four boats in the vicinity, all with masts very steady; out in, out in, out in,” etc.

A boat that is surfing surges forward, stern higher than the bow, while being carried on the face of a wave. If the Jury doesn't see a surge, with stern up and bow down, the boat is not surfing. A boat that is planing accelerates rapidly and dramatically. Crew weight is critical to planing, so some may plane while others do not.

Observation Locations/Positioning:

Before and During the Start

Judges should position themselves 3-5 competitor boat lengths below the line and watch the entire fleet for sculling (note that RRS 42.3(d & e) are new exceptions for 2005) and multiple rocks during acceleration, violations should be protested using PR 27 or PR 26(c).

If you are near the pin, watch for contact with the mark. If you are absolutely sure a boat has touched the pin and no penalty turn is taken or protest hailed by another competitor a protest should be initiated using PR 26(c).

All Legs

Judges should observe the fleet, looking for pumping, rocking and unnecessary or illegal roll tacking or roll gybing. If a boat is observed violating Rule 42 judges should initiate actions using PR 26(c) or PR 27 for all violations.

At Marks

If a Judge views what is a sure foul or a competitor hitting a mark a protest should initiated under PR 26(c).

Windward Mark

Judges should position themselves 3-5 competitor boat lengths along the extension of the starboard tack layline. Look for boats sculling around the mark, and boats that tack inside of the two length circle and cause potential protests.

Gybe Mark

Judges should position themselves 3-5 competitor boat lengths above to windward of the rhumb line (tangent to the two length zone and perpendicular to the rhumb line). Observe overlaps that are broken or established close to the zone, noting contentious situations. Note outside boats that are forced to leave the two-length zone, while giving room, which open themselves up to boats further behind.

Leeward Mark

Judges should position themselves 3-5 competitor boat lengths below to leeward of the rhumb line (tangent of the two length zone and perpendicular to the rhumb line) and note the same observations as the gybe mark. Note outside boats trying to deny room to inside boats and if they go past head to wind to "close the door".

Final Beat

During beats to the finishing line, follow the same procedure as on the first beat. From above the line and near its favored end, judges can best see incidents that occur as boats tack to cross it - and will be in good position to hail congratulations to the winner.

Collisions

Judge should note serious collisions and check boats for damage after the race. If you are planning to file a 60.3 protest, then you are strongly urged to comply with PR 26(c). If a collision results in damage, judges should initiate a protest under Rule 60.3 for a Rule 14 violation.

Weather

Judges should maintain communication with the Race Committee and give input on the fairness of racing conditions.

Complete Penalty Turns

Judges should protest using PR 26(c) if they observe a competitor who fails to complete a one turn or two-turns penalty.

APPENDIX 9 – EXPEDITED PROTEST PROCEDURE FOR TEAM RACING

This appendix represents the recommended protest procedure for limited umpiring in RRS D2.3(b). It is addressed primarily to Umpires but may also be helpful to others connected with protest, redress and breakdown hearings and in some circumstances changing these procedures may be advisable.

1. Protests involving rules of part 2 (except RRS 14), RRS 31.1, 42 or 44 shall be held in accordance with RRS D2.4, using the following procedure, and may be held onboard an umpire boat

a. The hearing will begin as soon as all parties are assembled.

b. If no one raises an objection the protest will be determined to be valid.

c. Each party will be given about 1 minute to state their case.

d. The umpires may question the parties and/or call witnesses.

e. Each party will be given about 1 minute to question the other party.

f. The parties are excused. The umpires will determine the facts and make their decision.

g. The umpires inform the parties of the decision orally.

2. The umpire boat shall be equipped with the current RRS for use by the jury and parties to the protest. Expedited protest hearings may not be reopened by a competitor after a decision has been made. (Changes RRS 66)

3. Expedited hearings may be used to consider requests for redress involving breakdowns. Competitors are urged to use this procedure in lieu of written requests. The requesting competitor must notify the Race Committee of the intention to use this procedure immediately after finishing or as soon as reasonably possible if unable to finish.

APPENDIX 10 – GUIDELINES FOR UMPIRE DEBRIEFINGS

1. Debriefings provide the greatest learning opportunity for umpires and competitors. A short meeting of umpires and competitors at the end of each day's racing should happen at all events. At this meeting, any of the day's problems can be discussed, and umpires who had any interesting or difficult calls can explain the circumstances.

2. Umpires have an obligation to explain any unusual calls to all competitors and umpires. Telling all competitors and all umpires about a call leads to consistency and learning by all.

3. A group discussion, using boat models preferably on a magnetic whiteboard, will be of benefit to everybody.

4. Most skippers and crews appreciate the opportunity to be present at these meetings. Their attendance should be encouraged, as should discussion on calls and differences in opinion.

5. Whenever two people, umpires or competitors, think that different things happened, they are unlikely to change their mind. We all see things differently and it is important to bear this in mind. It is important, however, to distinguish between differences of opinion relating to what happened (facts) and interpretations of the rules. When there is a difference in opinion as to what happened, it is important to leave everybody clear: both opinions should be presented

a) if this happens - this is the call…
b) if the other happens - this is the call...

6. Umpires should be prepared to admit any errors quickly and graciously. This increases rather than reduces their respect amongst competitors.

7. Discussions about how the rules and the ISAF Call Book for Team Racing might be improved do not belong in a debriefing. They can, however, be very valuable, and the Chief Umpire may suggest having a chat about it afterwards.

8. When situations occur that are not included in the Call Book, it is important to decide how to call them the next time. Find out what the rule actually says. If the rule is clear, do what the rule says - even if you don't like it.

9. If the rule is not clear, find out what the general feeling is about which way to go, and go with the majority. When there is a divided opinion, the Chief Umpire must decide. It is almost always better to ‘sleep-on’ any such decisions before announcing it. Group discussions can become focused on one aspect only and miss an equally significant counter argument. It is important to make it absolutely clear that whatever is being decided is for that regatta only.

10. Any new calls should also be recorded on the US SAILING Umpires Team Race Report Form from the event and sent to US SAILING.

11. There have been occasions when competitors have behaved aggressively at debriefings. One way of avoiding that, when a competitor seems to be upset when he arrives at a debriefing, is to state that everybody is there to learn, not to argue. Invite each competitor to give his opinion about what happened, using the model boats. Permit the opponent to agree or disagree. In this way, the competitors might solve the problem themselves.

12. In the unlikely event that a competitor starts to be abusive, he should be reminded why they are present. It would be advisable to have a word with the competitor afterwards and point out that abusive behavior could lead to a hearing under Rule 69.