SAILING MATTERS
by the Rear Commodore, Gregg Dobson

Richard's Bay to Durban RaceThis race starts on Saturday in Richard's Bay. Just 3 boats managed to get there two weeks ago. But for those with a sense of adventure and a desire to get in sea time, you can still sail up and race back. There's talk of some of the ‘big boys' having a crack at the race record - now that'll add some excitement.

Trio Regatta - 12; 13; 16 June
This is the next BIG regatta that the RNYC will be staging. If you have not entered yet, or cobbled a crew together, it's time to do that!
The Trio Regatta incorporates the IRC Provincials and Flying Fifteen Nationals. A SASKRS class will be open to Wednesday night boats. There are some Melges 24s coming up from Cape Town for this regatta, and a bunch of Pacer 27s from the Vaal, and rumours of at least 6 clubs competing in the inter-club component. So it should be a great event. Bronwyn will send you the info. Just call her on 031-301 5425 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

Racing Rules
By Ken Allas (your "Rule xpert")
Let's assume that you made a "cracking" good start on time at and on the line, missed the Committee Boat and fellow competitors, and sailed the first beat in relatively clear wind! Let us also assume you handled all boat on boat situations well and the rounding of the 1st mark, being the windward mark, is imminent with you in a good position within your fleet! I assume the direction of rounding of this mark has already been thought through by you, long before getting there? You have thought out your approach strategy based on the conditions of the day, and you have made allowances for tactical considerations that may need to be employed as you implement your grand overall strategy, of winning, or at least doing well in this race!? Or have you?!!
Perhaps I can throw in a couple of things that need to be considered: In the majority of racing situations, you will be rounding marks of the course to port, but this may be Durban Wednesday Night harbour racing and different course configurations are employed. In general, for Wednesday Night racing, if the course signalled to be sailed is either a NE or SE Course, all laid mark roundings will be to Starboard and only the SW course will have laid marks for rounding to Port. So now, we will as briefly as possible, mention rules that apply and what would be the best way of negotiating the 1st mark, and in this instance, a port rounding, assuming that there are other boats ahead and with you intending to do the very same.
Below, we will as simply as possible, discuss the rounding of the windward mark more specifically for a port rounding. As we are discussing the rounding of the windward mark, the following rules apply, simplified as:
1. The same basic right of way rules apply before you reach the "zone". Port tack yielding to starboard, windward boat keep clear, boat tacking shall keep clear, when tacking into a right of way position you shall give the other boat room and opportunity to keep clear, and avoiding contact.
2. At 3 boat lengths (of the longer boat) approaching a mark you are described as being in the "zone". (About to round the mark). The "zone" is described as a 3 boat length imaginary circle around the mark.
3. When yachts are overlapped on same tack at entering the zone, boats on the outside of the turn (windward boats) into the mark shall give boats, those on the inside of the turn (leeward boats) "mark room" to round the mark in a seamanlike manner.
4. An overlap occurs when any part of your boat, between your most forward and most aft part of your boat, in their normal/proper positions, intersects the same imaginary perpendicular lines extending outwards from the bow and stern, of another boat. You now have an overlap on another boat, and he on you, regardless of the positions of the boats in relationship to each other. (As the inside boat your bow could "just" be overlapped on the stern of the windward boat and vice versa, regardless of lateral separation.)
5. It is always a good idea to discuss with boats nearest to you whether you have an overlap prior to and as you, or the forward most overlapped boat, enter "the zone". The proper thing to do is to state "I have an inside overlap on your boat at the "zone", please give me mark room." If you happen to be the outside boat that must give room, the gentlemanly thing to do is acknowledge the overlap, and tell the other boat you have mark room" and give him the required room to round the mark whilst simultaneously avoiding contact, as hopefully, he promptly and in a seamanlike manner, executes a mark rounding to sail the course for the next mark.
6. What you should not do when making your approach to the windward mark, is to approach on port tack in "the zone" (the 3 boat length circle around the mark), and then attempt to tack below or immediately ahead of a starboard tack boats on the starboard layline making the mark. If the starboard tack boat has to sail above close hauled, i.e. luff, to avoid contact with you, you have infringed him and are required to sail clear and immediately do a penalty turn/s. Thinking ahead of your approach to a mark, will enable you to make the best choices in any situation (boat on boat) developing. A well thought out approach will ensure a quicker and more hassle free mark rounding, minimizing time spent in turbulent air and water. This result will be potential podium finishing positions, with a quicker return to your moorings, where you can enjoy a couple of beers whilst reminiscing on the highlights of your race! Next week, we will deal with the starboard rounding of the windward mark!

Crew Service
Struan Campbell has created a crew mix and match group on facebook for skippers who need crew and crew who need boats. It is open to anyone so if you need a person or a boat then put a wall post up advertising yourself. Hopefully we can start building fleets by making it easy for skippers and crew to connect. Put videos, photos - whatever you want - up there for all to see.
See the link at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112468105452262

Let's enjoy our sport safely! See you on the water.