O'Neill 2012 Worldcup Kite Boarding

I'm currently at the O'Neill 2012 Worldcup Kite Boarding event in The Hague as chairman of the PC.

Since kite-boarding has been part of the ISAF 'Family' there has to be at least one IJ at high level events.When I was invited I told the organizers that I knew nothing about kite-boarding and the rules involved.That was not a problem, they told me, the other judges would be knowledgeable. If I could be the chairman and help them with procedural issues.
I agreed and promised to study up on Appendix BB (recently changed on 4 January 2012).

I've been watching the freestyle competition and learned a couple new things.

Did you know:

- There are no metal or carbon parts stiffening a kite? It is all done by pumping air into tubes running along the front of a kite and as spokes in the wing.

- That the board has no stern? Both ends are the same and are alternately used as front or back.

- That there are four fins under a board? A pair on both ends, i.e. in all four corners.

- That the kite is controlled by three lines? One in the middle splitting out in the two going to the front of the wing, splitting out in four each divided along the length. It connects through the bar to the harness of the sailor. The two in the back going to each end of the bar the sailor handles. If he pulls the bar straight down along the center line, both back-lines are pulled and the kite-shape changes. The wing is pulled down in the back. If he pulls left or right, only one end is pulled and the kite changes direction.

- That a kite doesn't 'tack'. When changing from SB to P the kite is looped up and down the other side and the board starts sailing the other way. (I have to ask about this - tacking is still in App. BB)

We have not been racing yet - only freestyle. The wind direction is not suited for racing- being on shore at almost at a right angle. But nice and strong for jumping - which freestyle basically is.

I'm learning......

Final Score in LTW 2012 Winter Challenge

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Scoring this final episode of our LTW 2012 Winter Challenge brought one contestant over the 100 points, and therefore he's declared as the winner. Congratulations Grey Bear, well done!
Your coveted prize will be banged in the post asap….

As to our final Episode, most of you did arrive at the 'correct' answer. Tiger was within the rules to try to improve her series score by making sure Hamilton Eleven finished after other boat(s).

The fact that the score of another boat was improved is more or less the point. If you sail someone to the back of the fleet - early in the race - a lot of boats benefit. The fact that is was only one, makes you think it was done for another reason. It's prudent to investigate the relation between the two boats benefiting from this manoeuvre, but even - like in our case - you can find such a connection, actual team racing is very very hard to prove.

You have to investigate all rules in the incident, because although the protest is about rule 2 and or 69, rule 2 can be infringed if you break a rule of part 2 using this tactic of improving your score. Tiger broke no rules, she was entitled to sail to the mark (18.2(b)), she was right of way boat (11) and Hamilton Eleven had to keep clear, therefore it was no rule 2 infringement nor a rule 69 issue.

Hamilton Eleven should have crossed astern as soon as Tiger luffed and defended her position instead of trying to pass to windward…. But that is hindsight.

Everybody who used Case 78 was deducted one point, it has been withdrawn from the book (well spotted Zaphod). But if you used Q&A 2011-022 you got a bonus point.

Scoring was based on the following criteria:
Adequate facts found? 2 points;
Rule 18 & rule 11 mentioned? 1 point;
Improved scoring (series) for Tiger? 1 point;
No rules broken by Tiger? 1 point;
No rules broken by Banks? 1 point;
Conclusion about rule 2 and 69? 2 points;
Dismissal of the protest? 2 points

Bonus or Malus points
Using Case 78? -1 point
Using Q&A 2011-022? +1 point
(redress 62.1(d)) only for Goomer two +1 point

Which gives us the final result:

I also have to congratulate Zaphod on his (almost) catching up and second place. And Dauphine who - despite not having entered in this last episode - managed to hang on to third place. (I did check the spam box!)

There will be an Epilogue to this series. I'm cooking it, but time is scarce, so it will take (at least) another week before it's ready.

LTW 2012 Winter Challenge E03/30; Last Episode!

In all likelihood this will be the last in the series. Two contestants have a good chance to reach over 100 points if they participate in this one. I still have to score the previous episode but that should bring them over 90 points..... And looking at there average the 100 is within reach.

Today's episode is with an animation. There are three boats involved, but only Purple protests, against both others. Boats are 11:Metre One Design in a Class championship. The incident happens in race 2. One race is scheduled every day for a total of 6 days.
The Grey boat is called Banks, the Red has the name Tiger and the Purple one has been named Hamilton Eleven.

The skipper of  Hamilton Eleven writes on his protest form:
"I protest against Tiger and Banks for helping each other. Tiger prevented me from finishing, so that Banks could finish before me. This is team racing and very unsporting. I protest on rule 2 and rule 69."

The incident happened at the finish. The RC recorded Tiger as having finished 4th, Banks as 5th and Hamilton Eleven as 6th in race 2.

You are a member of the Protest Committee panel and have been assigned as scribe. All three parties come to the hearing and you are allowed to ask three questions. One question to each of the boats. All questions before Tuesday 23:59 hours. They will be answered ASAP.

Your assignment is to write Facts Found, Conclusions & rules involved and a Decision.
Deadline is THURSDAY 23:59 hours, so as to be able to score on Friday April 6th and announce a winner for the LTW 2012 Winter Challenge before Easter.
Good luck,
J.

Dark Side of the Moon

A picture in our "Heineken Green Photo Competition", send in by Gus from Massapequa, NY.:

Here's a picture of my Buccaneer 18, "Lunatic".
Am I advertising Pink Floyd??!!
No-one's ever said anything regarding advertising, but I get a lot of people who tell me they love it!  The prism is also on the transom with the name. I'd love to see her picture on your blog.

I wrote to Gus, that it's certainly within the definition of advertising as written in regulation 20!
He's on the Dark Side of the Moon with this spinnaker....


Does anybody else have examples?

Heineken Green Photo competition.

I don't know about you, but when the word 'advertising' is written on a protest form, I always hope it goes away, before my panel has to deal with it. You can argue that this is an "Ostrich reflex", but there you have it, I'm flawed.

From: cokethai.com

11/2/13; Received a mail on 15/10/13;

Hi,
Please be advise that the Heineken image you have in your blog belong to Yachting Insider.com If you want to use this image credit http://www.yachtinginsider.com/yachtads.html
This is my IMAGE I TOOK IT, AND IT WAS MY BOAT AT THE TIME!!!
Yachting Insider.com

In the Netherlands there's a prescription in the RRS about boats that want to display advertising. They need a certificate from our MNA, the "Watersportverbond". That part can be checked relatively easy. But it gets tricky when a boat claims it is not advertisement. They just painted their boat "Heineken Green".

If you look at the definition on regulation 20:

20. ISAF ADVERTISING CODE
20.1 Definitions
20.1.1 The following definitions shall apply to this ISAF Advertising Code only:
"Advertising" a name, logo, slogan, description, depiction, a variation or distortion thereof, or any other form of communication that promotes an organization, person, product, service, brand or idea so as to call attention to it or to persuade persons or organizations to buy, approve or otherwise support it.

In order to be able to keep my head ABOVE the sand, I have a request.
Do you have a picture of a boat where advertising is implied but not actually displayed?

Dog food?

Irish Luck?

Please send me your picture(s) together with your opinion whether it is or is not, 'advertising' according to the definition. If you don't have one now, keep your eyes peeled this year and make the photo.
I'll repeat this request every month or so. At the end of the year I'll raffle a prize among the senders.

J.

NoR Dutch Championship Matchracing 2012

Team Heiner has found a sponsor, fixed a date and published the Notice of Race!
(Click on hier on Team Heiner webpage)

On the 20th, 21st and 22nd of April 2012 in Lelystad the
BATAVIA STAD DUTCH CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH RACING 2012
will be held.

We are doing the qualifying events during this winter season (weather permitting) for 6 teams, but the OA has also 2 wildcards to give out.  In total 8 teams will sail to win the honors.

From the NoR: 

INVITATIONS
Skippers will only be invited from the open entry list. If you wish to be invited please register your request for an invitation as soon as possible with the OA by completing the attached form.

If you are a team that might be interested, please consider coming to the very very low p(h)art (Lelystad is a new town in the reclaimed part (polder)) of the Netherlands.
Or if you know of such a Match Race team; please tel them about this - or better - forward this post.
There's a mailing button below.

Hope to see you there.
J.

Deformed?

I think I'm deformed.

A couple of days ago I was participating in the finals of a friendly club competition. 60 boats in two groups, 20 clubs with three boats each and team results are calculated to determine the winner. Otherwise a normal fleet race on a normal "old school" Olympic course; Triangle-Sausage-Traingle-Sausage-etc. until an upwind finish.

It is set up as a competition with very low entry-level. Everybody can compete. Boats are from the local commercial rental company, who sponsors the event by asking a very reduced fee. This competition is an initiative from the regional board of our NA. (District Noord). With it, they promote regatta-sailing and hopefully some of the participants will go-on in a one-design class.
I was asked to come, because one of the regular team members had other obligations.

The winner is as much determined by luck of the draw - with 60 boats, some of them will be a little older and slower - as by the skill of the sailor. Usually I'm able to sail in the front half, if my boat isn't half bad.

But what I find very very hard to "stomach" are the frequent and blatant infringements of the rules. I know - because of being an umpire - I can see much more then most, but I'm not taking about the intricacies of rule 16 or 18.2. No, simple straightforward rule 10 issues. Port does not keep clear of Starboard. Or windward does not keep clear of leeward. Basic rules, which even a beginner has to know to sail around the course.

Anybody can make a mistake and think he can pass a Starboard boat in front on Port. Then you do your turns and try to catch up again. You wish...
The general mentality is: "As long as there is no damage, I'm clear and free and can sail on".
As in, I have to tack to get to the mark, no matter that a Starboard boat is approaching, so I tack.
Or, I'm sailing a straight line to the mark, so that leeward boat who is below me, has to bear away.
Y-flag on the committee-boat? Never heard of it.
And most of the infringements are accepted by the others. NO protest, NO hails!

Nobody seems to have heard of the basic principle...

I could protest everybody and spend a couple of hours in the "room" explaining. I don't want to do this. It's my leisure time, going sailing on a late summer evening. But my enjoyment is severely impeded by having to shut my eyes al the time.

Am I deformed?
I wonder if other judges and umpires have the same?

Changing RRS 18.2(c)?

In RRS 18.2(c) changed in US College Sailing!, an LTW post from 15 February, we discussed the change US Intercollegiate Sailing Association made in the RRS 2009-2012.

Although a slight majority of the readers who voted, wanted to go back to the "old rules" for switching off rule 18.2(b) by changing rule 18.2(c), I'm afraid that it does not look like they will be obliged any time soon.

I've written to the chairman of the Racing Rules Committee and to the chairman of the RRC Section C Working party and received this answer from Dick Rose:

Dear Mr. Spijkerman,

At the time that the U. S. Intercollegiate Sailing Association ("ICSA") took the action it did and posted the material you quoted on the web, US SAILING was considering making a submission to ISAF for consideration at its Spring Meeting in May, 2009 in Poland, and that submission would have been to change rule 18.2(c) immediately after the May 2009 meeting.

However, since the material you quote was posted on the web, the US SAILING Racing Rules Committee withdrew the submission from consideration by the US SAILING Board of Directors. As a result, US SAILING will NOT propose that an immediate change in rule 18.2(c) be made by ISAF in May in Poland.

Note that it is my understanding that the ICSA is now reconsidering its decision to change rule 18.2(c) for its racing during Spring 2009.

As things stand now within US SAILING, it is likely that US SAILING will make a submission proposing a change in rule 18.2(c). However, US SAILING now is planning to send this submission to ISAF in the normal way (before the 1 August 2009 submission deadline) for consideration by ISAF at the November 2009 meeting in Korea. If ISAF approved that change, then the change would probably take effect on 1 January 2013, when the next edition of the racing rules will take effect.

I hope this helps to answer your questions. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Dick Rose, Secretary, US SAILING Racing Rules Committee and Chairman, ISAF Racing Rules Committee Working Party

So, if you want to practice the "Move" and are able to get an inside overlap at a time the outside boat is still able to give room, go for it!
Like Kral Oyun wrote in his comment: "then we should stand back, admire their boat handling, say "congratulations" and let them sail away untroubled by the umpires...."

For now the trailing boat can switch of mark-room for the clear ahead boat!

RRS 18.2(c) changed in US College Sailing!

In recent months another issue about the new rules has been surfacing. First discovered by Chris Love from Sailgroove and subject of intense discussions on several forums and blogs, now another twist has been added.

I'm referring to "The Move".

What is "the Move"

The second sentence of Rule 18.2(c) switches off rule 18.2(b) when the boat entitled to mark-room leaves the zone or either boat passes head to wind. In the RRS 2005-2008 it was only the boat who entered the zone as clear ahead boat - thereby gaining RoW - who could switch off rule 18 by passing head to wind. In the new RRS 2009-2012 that can be done by either boat. So if the clear astern boat somehow manages to tack AND establish an inside overlap she has the right to mark-room, if the outside boat is able to give it. Here's the situational diagram (from BI Star Fleet - Blog)

This new technique promises to be specially applicable in Team Racing.

US College Racing does not wait for ISAF

With permission of US Sailing, RRS rule 18.2(c) has been changed for the competition. From the newly published 2009-2012 ICSA Procedural Rules and Collegiate Dinghy Class Rules:

7.5 OTHER RULES
7.5.1 In accordance with the US SAILING prescription to RRS rule 86.3, the second sentence of RRS rule 18.2(c) is changed to "However, if the boat entitled to mark-room passes head to wind or leaves the zone, rule 18.2(b) ceases to apply.” This proposed rule remains in effect unless rule 18.2(c) is changed in the RRS.

This is what Mitchell Brindley, President of ICSA said about it:

Please find the link at www.collegesailing.org for the 2009-2012 Procedural Rules. Everyone should review these, and if you are a hosting an event you need to have a printed copy available.

Also take note of the Class rule 7.5.1 on the last page. ICSA has chosen to be proactive concerning the unintended consequences of RRS 18.2(c). The essence of the problem is that rule 18.2(c) turns off rule 18.2(b) when either boat tacks. This allows a boat that is required to give mark-room under rule 18.2(b) to get out of that obligation by crossing head to wind, and then claim mark-room under rule 18.2(a) from boats that are already at the mark. In certain scenarios, this would have an outcome that runs counter to the general concept of rule 18.2(b), which "locks in" mark-rounding obligations early.

It is the feeling of the majority of the US Sailing Racing Rules Committee that ISAF will make a correction to the RRS later this spring. The ICSA executive committee did not want college sailing to have to accept what could amount to a significant game change in mid-season. ICSA is essentially "testing" an experimental rule prior to the expected implementation.

I do want to thank the ICSA Rules Committee and Chairman, Geoff Becker for their efforts.

http://www.collegesailing.org/archive/2009-2012_PR_And_2009_CDCR.pdf

It appears that the US SAILING RRS Committee is also expecting a change in the rules from ISAF.

What do you think? Should ISAF change 18.2(c)?
You can now also Vote on the new Poll in the sidebar.

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TP Protest Writing Competition Winner

Final voting has been done!
With a late dash to the finish the Winner is: Luigi Bertini !
Well done. Short and sweet with a minimum of clatter.

In the beginning Sen had a lead, then Norm gained momentum, but in the end Luigi pulled it off.
As I have no control over who votes, only that you can only vote once, from every IP address, it couldn't be more democratic......

Luigi, congratulations with your first place. Please send me your post address in a mail and I'll send you the prize. The only - last thing - I will ask of you, is to write a guest post. All winners are interviewed are they not? I'll start writing questions...

TP 52 Protest Writing Competition; FINALS

The polls have closed on the first round in our TP 52 Protest writing competition. It was a close call indeed. At first Luigi ran from well behind, but in the last days he has come back strongly.

For boat pair 1 (Boat c vs D) Luigi and Norm ran neck on neck until the very end. Because the final outcome was an undecided, I have included them BOTH in the finals: you can vote for one of them.
1_Luigi Bertini TP52 Protest CvsD
1_Norm Smit TP52 Protest CvsD

Final poll stats: 28 people voted, exactly 50% for each

Luigi send in the only protest about pair 2 (boat F vs E) so that has earned him a second spot in the finals:
2_Luigi Bertini TP52 Protest FvsE

Finally our contestant from Japan. He beat Luigi (agian) with a single vote in boat pair 3 (boat G vs F):
3_Sen Yamaoka TP52 Protest GvsF

Final poll stats: 27 people voted, 2 (7% for Hedwich, 11 (40%) for Luigi, 2 (7%) for Mike and 12 (44%) for Sen.

As with the first round, you can vote for the finalist in the poll in the sidebar.
Winner will receive the Magnetic Protest Boat Kit, free of charge.

TP52 Protest Writing Competition 3_G vs F

The most popular pair in the bunch. Four entries this time:
3_Hedwich Kuipers TP52 Protest GvsF
3_Luigi Bertini TP52 Protest GvsF
3_Mike Butterfield TP52 Protest GvsF
3_Sen Yamaoka TP52 Protest GvsF
You can leave comments on these four below this post and also on one (late) entry - out of contention - who asked to for comments nevertheless.
David Clinnin TP52 Protest GvsF (out of contention)
Don't forget to vote!


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TP52 Protest Writing Competition 2_F vs E

Only one entry for this pair, so no voting in the first round necessary. But you can leave a comment for Luigi below nevertheless.

2_Luigi Bertini TP52 Protest FvsE

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TP52 Protest Writing Competition 1_C vs D

This first pair is about boat C versus D. Two entries were received:
1_Luigi Bertini TP52 Protest CvsD
1_Norm Smit TP52 Protest CvsD

You can write comments on these protest using the comment button below.
And don't forget to vote!

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TP 52 Protest Writing Competition; Voting Round 1

In total seven protest were send in for the competition. I've saved all the forms as pdf's and in three separate posts you can read or download them.
I've made three posts because I invite you to give comments on the style, consistency and completeness of each protest form. I've not changed the writing or style in any way.
At the top of the side bar two voting boxes have been made available, so you can cast your vote. Please consider the following 'objective' criteria when you decide which is best:

• enough facts found to draw a conclusion;
• no conclusions in the facts found;
• the conclusion fits the facts;
• decision is consistent with the conclusion.

This first round is to determine the best of each pair; after those have been decided, the final round will be between the three 'best' entries for each pair.
You can VOTE for one week in round one.

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Reminder post: TP52 Protest Writing Competition

Just a quick reminder that the deadline for the still ongoing protest writing exercise competition from this post: TP52 Protest Writing Exercise. is tonight 22:00 hours. I'm a bit disappointed by the number of entries, but will honor the rules and we'll pick a winner who receives a free set of magnetic protest boats.

Later today I'll report back on the iShares Cup in Amsterdam

TP52 Protest Writing (Exercise) Competition

This post is to remind all of my readers about the still ongoing protest writing exercise competition from this post: TP52 Protest Writing Exercise.
So far only five entries have been received: two protest about C vs D, two protest about F vs G and one protest about F vs E.

Best in each pair will go trough to the finals and the winner will receive free of charge a brand new set of magnetic protest boats from this post: Magnetic Protest Boat Kit | 2

So here's the challenge:

1. Pick one pair (and one pair only); you may only write one protest for each pair.
2. Write a set of facts found about what you think has happened - does NOT have to be what actually happened, but must be to the point without any unnecessary facts and no conclusions;
3. Draw a conclusion and rules involved based on the facts found, as you have written;
4. Write a decision.

Do YOU want to become an good Judge? Then start writing, it's a skill you need to practice!
The deadline is 22:00 hours Monday the 22nd of September 2008.

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Magnetic Protest Boat Kit | 2

The package from the RYA arrived today. Sealed in a bubble envelope it took 12 days to be delivered. The Sales Invoice is dated 29/08/08 and I ordered them on 28/08/08.
(Magnetic Protest Boat Kit)

The boats are very nice and well crafted with a good 'sail' attachment. Exactly as promised, 12 boats of which three blank and three sets of three colored sailboats, yellow, blue and red. Four marks and two arrows, all together in a sturdy plastic zip bag.

Made in China (where else). Total costs (including postage and VAT) £ 27.24
Fair dinkum, as the people down-under would say.

In lieu of our protest-competition announced yesterday, TP52 Protest Writing Exercise, I have decided to donate this magnetic protest boat kit as the first prize.
The winner will receive the complete bag, send free of charge, by post.
So what are you waiting for, stop reading this blog, and start writing.

Entries must be send in by Email before 22 september 22:00 hours, preferbly in a word document, but pdf is fine too. Oh, please put your name in the filename, so I can keep track.

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TP52 Protest Writing Exercise

In Scuttlebutt 2675 there was a link to a fairly unique set of photos. In the sequence seven boats were involved in at least three separate rules-issues at the weather mark:



Photographer Ian Roman provided this aerial of the windward mark action and accidents from last week's TP52 Audi MedCup event in Carthagena, Spain (click on image to enlarge).

I thought this was a opportunity to good to miss and asked and received permission to use these photo's in a blogpost.

First of all> This is definitely not meant to second guess any protest or non protest in the actual event. I'm interested if we can use the limited but detailed information on these photos, to write a protest. For instance, look at the wakes on the water!

We will name the boats A trough G from top to bottom according to the standing in the LAST photo! I can devise at least three separate rules issues; between C and D, between E and F and between F and G.
So here's the challenge:

1. Pick one pair (and one pair only);
2. Write a set of facts found about what you think has happened - does NOT have to be what actually happened, but must be to the point without any unnecessary facts and no conclusions;
3. Draw a conclusion and rules involved based on the facts found, as you have written;
4. Write a decision

This is exactly ( but with a drawing instead of photo's) what is asked of you in an International Judges Test after a seminar. There you will have to do it for two separate situations.

Send in your entries before the dead-line, which is two weeks from today, ending at 22:00 hours Monday the 22nd of September 2008.
I will subsequently post the submissions together in boat pairs. We will vote for the best written protest for each pair, they earn a place in the final. In that finale you can vote for the best of those three.
Remember, picking the easy pair might get you through the first round, but then you will have to compete with the other two. You may only write one protest for each pair.

Get the RRS open, download the Protest Conclusions & Decisions.xls file and get cracking.

Good luck!

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