RMM Part 4

Part 4 – Appendix

Blind and Vision Impaired Sailing

        This Appendix to the World Sailing Race Management Manual for Para-Sailing Events replaces the following sections of Part 1:

General

1.1 International events sanctioned by World Sailing shall be governed by:

The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), including Appendix CBS (Experimental Match Racing Rules for Visually Impaired Sailors) when applicable, in effect at the time of the event.

Section 3. Competition Levels and Criteria

Section 4. Classification Requirements

Section 5. Adaptations

Section 6. Crew Classification and Actions of the Crew within the Boat

Section 12. Course Length and Race Duration

2. Competition Levels and Criteria

2.1     There are three levels of Blind Match Racing Sailing Events. Based upon the Event Level, the event shall meet specified criteria and apply additional rules as specified.

2.2    Grade 1 (e.g. World Sailing Approved World Championships,

(a)     Shall be fully sanctioned, approved and overseen by the World Sailing Executive   Board;

(b)    Shall comply with all of Part 1 of the Race Management Manual as amended by this Appendix and the World Sailing Functional Classification System;

(c)     Shall include a World Sailing appointed Technical Delegate, a World Sailing approved International Jury (and International Umpires where applicable), an accredited IBSA Classifier, a World Sailing approved International Classifier Panel and an MNA accredited Principal Race Officer;

2.3    Grade 2 (e.g. International Championships, non-World Status International Events and other events sanctioned by PWSC.

(a)     Shall be recognized by PWSC and scheduled on the World Sailing calendar;

(b)     Shall comply with all of Part 1 of this Race Management Manual as amended by this Appendix, and the World Sailing Functional Classification System,

(c)     Shall include a qualified Ophthalmologist, an International Jury or Protest Committee, an International Classifier and International/ National Umpires where applicable.

2.4    Grade 3 (National or Other Championships)

(a)     Shall be recognized by PWSC and scheduled on the World Sailing calendar;

(b)     Shall comply with all of Part 1 of this Race Management Manual and the World Sailing Functional Classification System as amended by this Appendix;

(c)     Shall include a qualified Ophthalmologist, an International Jury or Protest Committee and International/ National Umpires where applicable.

3. Classification Requirements

3.1    The classification requirements for competing in any World Sailing sanctioned event shall be published in the Preliminary Notice of Race, the Notice of Race, or six months prior to the event, whichever is earlier.

3.2    It is a sailor’s responsibility to be properly classified before sailing in a World Sailing or PWSC sanctioned event.

3.3    Points system:

(a)     IBSA Vision Classification B1 = 1 point;

(b)     IBSA Vision Classification B2 = 2 points;

(c)     IBSA Vision Classification B3 = 3 points.

Any IBSA classified competitor may compete as B1 by agreeing to wear an approved blindfolding device* at all times when racing.

*See definition in 5.0 below.

1.  In the three-person keelboat match racing events the crew shall be comprised of any combination of IBSA classified sailors. The cumulative total of IBSA points shall not exceed Six. (b)The helmsman may be IBSA classified B1, B2 or B3. All helms must wear an approved blindfolding device at all times when racing.
2. In the two-person keelboat match racing events the crew shall be comprised of any combination of IBSA classified sailors. The cumulative total of IBSA points shall not exceed Five.
3. The helmsperson may be IBSA classified B1, B2 or B3. All helms must wear an approved blindfolding device at all times when racing.
4. (a)

(c) In the four-person fleet racing events the category shall be defined by the classification of the helmsperson.

Class B1 team will be comprised of:

–               a B1 Helmsperson;

–               a B1 or B2 Mainsheet hand;

–               a Sighted Tactician who shall not handle any controls at any time while racing;

–               a Sighted Crew who can handle all controls with the exception of the Helm, the                Mainsheet and the Mainsheet Traveller.

Class B2 team will be comprised of:

–                a B1 or B2 Helmsperson;

–                a B1, B2 or B3 Mainsheet hand;

–                 a Sighted Tactician who shall not handle any controls at any time while racing;

–                 a Sighted Crew who can handle all controls with the exception of the Helm, the   Mainsheet and the Mainsheet Traveller.

Class B3 team will be comprised of:

–                a B1, B2 or B3 Helmsperson;

–                 a B1, B2 or B3 Mainsheet hand;

–                 a Sighted Tactician who shall not handle any controls at any time while racing;

–                 a Sighted Crew who can handle all controls with the exception of the Helm, the                  Mainsheet and the Mainsheet Traveller.

4. Adaptations

4.1    Adaptations are defined as equipment and/or modifications to a boat to assist the sailor while sailing.

4.2    The following is prohibited while afloat:

(a)     Any addition, omission or alteration to the equipment supplied;

(b)     The use of any equipment for a purpose other than specifically permitted;

(c)     The use of personal electronic instruments other than compass, watches and VHF transceivers. Compasses, watches and VHF transceivers may be provided by competitors themselves.

5. Blindfolding

Blindfolding is defined as a method of preventing any form of vision. This can be achieved by correct wearing of textile blindfolds, or preferably blacked out wrap-around glasses or blacked out goggles. Any blindfolding device shall approved by event Classifiers or the TD.

6. Crew Actions Within the Boat

6.1   In match racing events only the Visually Impaired crew shall be on board while racing.

6.2    Crew shall remain in the cockpit or on the side deck, but shall remain inside lifelines where fitted. Crew may not go forward of the mast except temporarily to clear a line or set any equipment or in case of emergency;

7. Course Length and Race Duration

7.1    For Fleet Racing events, course length shall be calculated so as to have a race whose target time is between 30 and 40 minutes for the first boat to finish. Failure of the first boat to sail the course and finish within the target time shall not be grounds for redress. This changes RRS 62.1(a).

7.2    For Fleet Racing events, courses may be shortened in accordance with RRS 32 but not prior to the completion of the second windward leg.

7.3    For Match Racing events, course length shall be calculated so as to have a race whose target time is between 10 and 20 minutes for the first boat to finish. Failure of the first boat to sail the course and finish within the target time shall not be grounds for redress. This changes RRS 62.1(a).