MES Guidelines and Sailing Instructions (approved 11/28/01 & updated 4/2/03)
"Now gentlemen, it's just not that complicated!"
1. Wednesday Nite STAR racing shall be governed by the current version of the
Racing Rules of Sailing.
2. The STARS will also conform to the current Racing Instructions previously
published by the Higgins Yacht Yard for Wednesday Nite Sailing.
3. The STARS will also attempt to follow ISCYRA guidelines.
4. SCORING: The STARS will maintain independent reporting to ISCYRA and use
the Low Point Scoring System, treating all Wednesday Nite racing as 3 seasonal
series, with separate series calculations.
4
a) one throw out after 5 races
b. Race cancellation = 0 points.
c. 3 STARS must start to have a race .
d. DNS (Did Not Start) = 1 + Number of boats competing in that race (Approved
11/01)
e. DNF = 1 + Number of boats starting that race (Approved by MES 7/98)
f. DNC (Did Not Compete) = DNS ...... Because it is difficult to track all
boats that plan to start, but never cross the starting line, any boat that does
not legally start is a DNS. The Race Committee automatically assigns a DNS to
any boat over early and does not legally restart.
g. DSQ = DNS for that race [A4.2, RRS 2001-4]. A DSQ cannot be thrown out
(Approved 7/98)
h. Starting time : No restrictions (ISCYRA suggests 10 min... otherwise a
DNS [LOG 11.3]
i. Finishing time : per WENS Racing Instructions or RC. If not finished in
alloted time, a DNF.
j. Protests: The STARS will conduct their own protests and report results
to the Race Commitee for scoring. Protests will be heard only the evening of
the race. A 3 member protest committee will be selected by the Fleet Captain
(or the Fleet Secy.) as long as he is not directly involved. A written request
is unnecessary. The protest committee may hear both skippers, crews, and witnesses. An appeal process will be allowed at a second level, the Wednesday Night Race Committee. This is a more formal process and must be submitted in writing, inclusive of fee to the WENS RC. Any protests involving the PHRF boats will be heard by the Race Committee and not MES.
k. Since membership by a boat owner in MES with paid Fleet dues is mandatory,
unpaid sailors will be removed from Fleet reports to ISCYRA at year's end.
5. Fay Dyer Memorial Trophy: Total Wed. Nite compilation, scored by Low Point
as one single long series, with the individual's best 15 races (consistent with Higgins current scoring procedures). DNS, DNF, and DSQ will be counted as if this is one long series.
6. Fleet Champion: Sum 12 best races of the year (Approved by MES 4/99 to
reward active MES Fleet sailing). If a separate MES regatta is held solely as
a Fleet Championship Regatta, it must be approved by the majority prior to May
1.
7. Best of Fleet Award during MRYC Annual One-Design Regatta: Low Point scoring
with 1 throwout if 4 or more races are held. Calculation will exclude all boats
from other fleets. ISCYRA membership by the skipper is not mandatory, but MES
Fleet membership is required of either the skipper or the crew. At this same
event, the MES Fleet Captain or his delegate shall notify, 1 week in advance,
the RC of MRYC that the Sailing Instructions for this regatta must conform to
current ISCYRA standards: 1 throwout if 4 or more races are held. Regarding
Green STAR eligibilty, ISCYRA membership is required of all Green Star eligible
skippers. Additional Green Star eligibity factors are determined by the current
ISCYRA LOG. Thus questions regarding Novice status and crew restrictions should
be answered on the registration sheets [23.7 and 26.3] .
8. An MES Novice Award will be awarded annually to a skipper and crew scoring
the highest for the season, counted as the best 15 races. Excluded are skippers
who have achieved Green Star status or above, i. e., no longer 'Novices' (as
defined by 23.7.1 in the 2002 Star Log). Also ineligible are prior MES Overall
Season Series first, second, or third place winners for the past 5 years, AND
winners of this award. Since the Fleet wishes to continue encouraging co-helming,
past winning co-helming combinations are also ineligible. The calculation must
exclude those boats skippered by ineligible skippers for the majority of the
season..... a DNS in this series calculation is counted as 1+ total number of
eligible skippers.
9. The Guest Skipper's Race will be scheduled between the Spring and Summer
Series. Race results will be excluded from any series calculation.
10. MES Guidelines and Sailing Instructions should be reviewed at least every
4 years, when the RRS is updated.
11)
Scoring of the mark boat
skipper
I.
A boat will receive her average score for the series if not
sailed.
II.
A boat will receive her average score for the series if sailed –
by either skipper or guest – following notification of the fleet prior to
leaving the dock of her intent not to be scored and flying of a dark cloth
on the starboard shroud.
III.
A
boat will receive her score for the race if sailed with no notification
and no flags/markings, whether by skipper or guest.