The International Rolex Regatta three-day weekend in the U.S. Virgin Islands is a high point for many yachtsmen and yachtswomen from around the world. Known as the “Crown Jewel of the Caribbean” it represents an opportunity to shake off the winter dust in preparation for a hard summer’s racing. For others, it is a chance to mix sailing and racing with a family vacation in one of the Caribbean’s favorite locations. Whatever the reason, once experienced, the International Rolex Regatta becomes an annual mark on the calendar. The warm clear waters, beautiful surroundings and excellent competition draws sailors back year after year.
The St Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) International Rolex Regatta Committee is the Organizing Authority for this event.
2.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012.
2.2 Crews:
a. Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) Rating Rule. Crew limitations for CSA classes will be in accordance with the CSA Rating Rule. CSA rating information can be found at www.caribbean-sailing.com.
b. IRC Rule Part A, B & C. Crew Limitations and Maximum Crew Weight : The maximum total crew shall not exceed the Crew Number
indicated on the boat’s certificate, plus one. The maximum total crew weight shall not exceed the product of the Crew Number printed
on the boat’s certificate, plus one, multiplied by 85KG.
IRC Rules 21.1.5 (d), (e) and (f) are amended as follows: During the regatta the spinnakers carried may vary from day to day, but shall
remain the same for each individual race day, including days with multiple races and in the case of damage to sails. Competitors may
change spinnakers on consecutive days provided all such sails are within the dimensions declared on the boat’s IRC certificate.
c. For Yachts carrying a Regatta approved member of the press, press shall not be included in the Crew Number, provided he/she does not contribute in any way (other than seated position) to the yacht’s competitive position.
3.1 Advertising is allowed in accordance with ISAF Regulation 20. Rolex’s participation enhances the event for all competitors. Competitors are therefore required to respect the brand exclusivity of the title sponsor.
3.2 As prescribed in the Int Rolex Regatta Sailing Instructions, boats shall display the event bow stickers and Rolex flags for the duration of the event. Other advertising shall not conflict with this display.
4.1 The International Rolex Regatta 2012 is extending invitation to CSA, IRC, Multihull and Beach Cat classes with a current rating certificate and One-Design classes with a minimum length of 20ft. One-design classes and groups of boats wishing to race level will have a separate class or will be scored as a sub-class within their larger class at the discretion of the Organizing Authority based on the number of entries and event classes established.
4.2 You are requested to enter on-line at www.yachtscoring.com
4.3 Entry Fee for the regatta is as follows:
17:00 AST Friday January 13, 2012
Deadline for early entry see Section 4 for entry details
15:00 AST Tuesday March 20
Deadline for all entries
Wednesday March 21
11:00-15:00 Registration desk open at STYC
16:00 Preliminary class assignments
Thursday March 22
10:00-16:00 Registration desk open at STYC
15:00 Final class assignments
16:00 Skipper’s Meeting at STYC, class flags shall be distributed
Friday March 23
10:00 First warning signal for racing
Saturday March 24
10:00 First warning signal for racing
Sunday March 25
10:00 First warning signal for racing
14:00 There will be no warning signal for racing after 1400
18:00 Rolex Awards Presentation, STYC
Sailing Instructions will be provided in each registration package distributed at registration.
Sailing Instructions will be available on the regatta entry/scoring web site: www.yachtscoring.com.
Amendments to Sailing Instructions and other Notices will be available on the regatta entry/scoring web site.
For email alerts to all postings please provide desired email recipient(s) with your online entry.
The Regatta Committee intends to conduct a varied and challenging schedule of distance courses and one-design windward-leeward races in the waters surrounding the archipelago of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A boat may take a One-Turn penalty (that in all respects complies with rule 44.2) when she may have broken a rule of Part 2 while racing.
This changes RRS 44.1
An International Jury will be appointed in accordance with RRS 91(b) and Appendix N. Decisions of the International Jury will be final in accordance with rule 70.5.
10.1 A maximum of 18 races are scheduled for the one-design or additional classes sailing w/l courses.
10.2 A maximum of 10 races are scheduled for all classes sailing distance courses.
10.3 A boat’s series score will be the sum of her race scores without a discard.
10.4 One completed race shall constitute a series.
All boats shall carry a VHF radio capable of transmitting communications to and receiving communications from the Race Committee on channels 16, 71 and 72.
Prizes will be awarded on the beach at St. Thomas Yacht Club commencing 18:00 Sunday March 25, 2012. Prizes will be awarded to first place, second place and third place in each class. A Rolex timepiece will be awarded to the winner of select spinnaker racing classes at the discretion of the O.A. as determined prior to the first warning signal for racing on Friday March 23.
Competitors agree to be bound by the International Sailing Federation Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2009/2012, by the Sailing Instructions and this Notice of Race. Competitors agree to take any and all responsibility for the sea worthiness of their yacht, the crew’s ability and the safety equipment. Competitors also agree to take any and all responsibility for damages caused to third persons or their belongings, to themselves or to their belongings, ashore and at sea as a consequence of their participation in the regatta, relieving of any responsibility the St. Thomas Yacht Club and all persons involved in the organization under whatever qualification and to accept full responsibility for the behavior and dress of the yacht’s crew, representatives and guests. Competitors are to be acquainted with ISAF RRS Part 1 Fundamental Rule 4: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone“. All competitors agree that the St. Thomas Yacht Club, the sponsors and their agents, in particular ROLEX S.A., have no responsibility for loss of life or injury to members or others, or for the loss of, or damage to any vessel or property. As part of the registration process, each individual participating crewmember will be required to sign a declaration accepting this disclaimer of liability.
Competitors will be asked to grant ROLEX S.A. and the Organizing Authority the unrestricted right and permission to use the name and the image for any text, photograph or video footage of either themselves or the yacht they are sailing during the event to be published or broadcast in any media whatsoever (including but not limited to Press and TV advertisements or Internet), for either editorial or advertising purposes or to be used in press information; in this respect, competitors’ names and any biographical material of themselves may also be used or reproduced in any way known. As part of the registration process, each individual participating crewmember will be required to sign a declaration accepting this waiver of rights.
In the event of a conflict between these requirements and applicable class rules, the class rules apply.
1 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR IRC, CSA, MULTIHULL CLASSES
1.1 Softwood plugs, or other suitable materials, tapered to fit into all thru hull fittings.
1.2 Lifelines and bow and stern pulpits, or lifelines secured in such a way as to form a stern pulpit, of not less than 18” in height, except lifelines may be split at the bow to facilitate sheeting. Lifelines shall be taut with not more than seven feet between supports, taut being defined as no apparent sag between the supports. Lifelines shall be attached securely and in such a way that no part of the system is elastic in nature.
1.3 Fire extinguisher, charged and in date, accessible from the deck.
1.4 Two buckets, of not less than two gallons capacity, fitted with lanyards of suitable strength and length.
1.5 One anchor with chain of suitable size for boat’s length and displacement with a suitable rode of at least 150 feet in length. No part of the anchor shall overhang the ends of the boat while racing.
1.6 A First Aid kit suitable for rendering treatment in minor medical emergencies.
1.7 Charts for navigation covering the area to be raced.
1.8 U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Devices of a suitable size for the intended wearer and readily accessible for each person on board, with attached whistle.
1.9 U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable floatation device, positioned above deck such that it is available for immediate deployment in an emergency.
1.10 Heaving line at least 50 feet in length, capable of floating, positioned above deck such that it is immediately available for use in an emergency.
1.11 Four red hand flares and two orange smoke flares.
1.12 VHF radio capable of transmitting and receiving on emergency and race committee channels.
1.13 A compass suitable for navigation.
1.14 A shutoff valve, in working order fitted to each fuel tank.
1.15 Hatches, companionways and ports capable of being made watertight while racing.
1.16 Cockpits to be self-bailing and fitted with adequate drains.
1.17 Sufficient water shall be carried on board so that at the finish of a race there remains at least one pint per person.
2.1 U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD to be worn at all times during racing by each crew member.
2.2 Independent righting line. (Not the jib sheet.)
2.3 International Orange Distress flag, of min. 2’ x 2’.
2.4 Minimum of one quart drinking water for each crew member.
2.5 50 foot towing line.
2.6 USCG approved emergency strobe light.
2.7 Three (3) USCG approved emergency aerial signal flares.
2.8 A VHF radio is required, in accordance of Section 11.
The safety requirements for the IC-24 Class are as specified in the IC-24 Class Rules.
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