Extreme Sailing Series: NOR 2011

I've been studying the NOR and SI's for the ESS. Next week in Oman we will use them in the 2011 series for the first time. The changes that are made to the 'normal rules' are all the result of experiences in the last years, umpiring these fast cats. I hope we now have all 'wrinkles' ironed out

An excerpt from the rule changes:
(You can read the whole NOR here: Extreme Sailing Series NoR 2011-blog.pdf)
1.7 ISAF has been requested to authorise the following changes under RRS 86. 2:

1.7.1 No national authority prescriptions will apply;

1.7.2 ISAF Addendum Q, Umpired Fleet Racing (Medal racing), ISAF Appendix Q, Umpired Fleet Racing (for a series of races), ISAF RRS Appendix C, Match Racing Rules, or Addendum F (a combined set of umpired fleet and match race rules) will apply for umpired races as modified by the Series Sailing Instructions and Regatta Sailing Instructions; and

1.7.2.1 RRS C2.3 is changed to read:
In the definition Zone the distance is changed to three hull lengths.

(MUST remember, MUST remember, also in MATCH RACING!, always THREE!)

1.7.2.2 RRS 18.3 Tacking when approaching a mark will be changed to read:
If two boats were on opposite tacks and one of them changes tack and as a result is subject to rule 13.1 in the zone when the other is fetching the mark, rule 18.2 does not thereafter apply. If, once the boat that changed tack has completed her tack,
(a) the other boat cannot by luffing avoid becoming overlapped inside her, she is entitled to mark-room, the boat that changed tack shall keep clear and rule 15 does not apply;
(b) the other boat can by luffing avoid becoming overlapped inside her, the boat that changed tack is entitled to mark-room. 

(This is straight from App. C (Match Racing) and has been implemented for several years already)

1.7.2.3 When rule 20 applies, applies, the following arm signals by the helmsman are required in addition to the hails:
(a) for ‘Room to tack’, repeatedly and clearly pointing to windward; and
(b) for ‘You tack’, repeatedly and clearly pointing at the other boat and waving the arm to windward.

(Now this change is because we had so much trouble last year with this issue!)

1.7.2.4 Rule 23.1 is changed to ‘If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not interfere with a boat that is racing or an umpire boat.’

(Finally, they also have to avoid US, if possible)

1.7.2.5 Rule 18.2(e) is changed to ‘If a boat obtained an inside overlap from clear astern and, from the time the overlap began, the outside boat has been unable to give mark-room, she is not required to give it.’  

(Did you notice what has been left out?. Makes it a little easier, if they can't, they can't and don't have to)

1.7.2.6 Rule 13 is changed to

13 WHILE TACKING OR GYBING
13.1 After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course.
13.2 After the foot of the mainsail of a boat sailing downwind crosses the centreline she shall keep clear of other boats until her mainsail has filled.
13.3 While rule 13.1 or 13.2 applies, rules 10, 11 and 12 do not. However, if two boats are subject to rule 13.1 or 13.2 at the same time, the one on the other’s port side or the one astern shall keep clear.

(Again from App. C> but now all the time, in all the races)

1.7.2.7 RRS Race Signals and RRS 26 are changed. Signals and start sequence timing will be defined in the SSIs/RSIs.

(How is that again? What don't the people watching understand? They do not understand P and Class flags nor no 2 and 3 minute signals? Right! We will now use coloured flags (PINK even) with 5.4.3.2.1.Start... Any 'ing M can understand THAT!)
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