Notice of Race

1. Organizing Authority
The organizing authority is the St. Petersburg Yacht Club (SPYC).

2. Venue
The venue is St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.

3. Event Grading
This is an ISAF Grade 1 event. This grading is subject to review by the ISAF Match Race Advisory Board. The event may be re-graded when there is clear reason to do so.

4.1 Provisional Program
(a) Registration and weigh-in will be from 1300 to 1800 on Wednesday, October 27, and from 0730 to 0800 on Thursday, October 28 at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center (“SPSC”).
(b) Practice will be from 1300 to 1700 on Wednesday, October 27.
(c) The first briefing and meeting with the umpires will be at 0800 on Thursday, October 28 at the SPSC.
(d) Racing days will be Thursday, October 28 through Sunday, October 31.
(e) The time of the first Attention Signal will be 0930 on Thursday, and 0900 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
(f) No first Attention Signal for any flight will be made after 1500 on Sunday.
(g) The prizegiving will be held as soon as possible after the conclusion of racing on Sunday.
4.2 Attendance
Unless excused by the organizing authority, attendance at the following is mandatory:
(a) the daily briefing, for skippers;
(b) the prizegiving, for the skippers and crews participating in the finals (all other competitors are encouraged to attend).

5. Skippers’ Eligibility
(a) Only skippers invited by the organizing authority are eligible to enter. The teams placing first and second in the 2004 Rolex Women’s Match (St. Petersburg) will be invited.
(b) The designated skipper shall helm the yacht at all times while racing, except in an emergency.
(c) To remain eligible a skipper shall confirm acceptance of her invitation in writing, (fax or e-mail is acceptable) to be received by the date specified in the letter of invitation.
(d) A non-refundable entry bond of $US 500 shall accompany the acceptance of invitation for the acceptance to be valid.

6. Entries
The skipper shall be entered on completion of registration, and the payment of all fees and deposits.
6.1 Entry Fee
There is no entry fee.
6.2 Insurance Fee
$US 100 of the entry bond will be credited as the boat insurance fee upon registration.
6.3 Damage Deposit
$US 400 of the entry bond will be credited as an initial damage deposit upon registration.
(a) The initial damage deposit is the maximum payable by the skipper as a result of any one incident.
(b) Any remaining deposit after the event will be refunded within thirty days.
(c) If a deduction from the damage deposit is made by the organizing authority, it may require that the deposit be restored to its original amount before the skipper will be permitted to continue in the event.

7. Rules
(a) The event will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing, including Appendix C.
(b) The rules for the handling of boats will apply, and will also apply to any practice sailing.

8. Boats and Sails
(a) The event will be sailed in Sonar Class sloops.
(b) Ten boats will be provided.
(c) Each boat will be provided with a mainsail, a jib and a spinnaker.
(d) Boats will be allocated by draw, as decided by the race committee.

9. Crew (including skipper)
(a) The number of crew (including the skipper) shall be four (4), all of whom must be women. All registered crew shall sail all races.
(b) The maximum total crew weight shall be 272 kg. determined prior to racing, when wearing at least shorts and shirts.
(c) When a registered skipper is unable to continue in the event the organizing authority may authorize an original crew member to substitute.
(d) When a registered crew member is unable to continue in the event the organizing authority may authorize a substitute, a temporary substitute or other adjustment.

10. Event Format
(a) The event will consist of the following rounds:
A double round-robin
Semi-final series (first to win three points)
Final and petit-final series (first to win three points)
(b) The organizing authority may vary the format, terminate or eliminate any round when condi- tions do not permit the completion of the intended format.

11. Course
(a) The course will be windward/leeward with starboard roundings, finishing downwind.
(b) The racing area will be in Tampa Bay, near the St. Petersburg Municipal Pier

1 2. Advertising
(a) As boats and equipment will be supplied by the organizing authority, Appendix 1, regulation 20.3.2 applies. Each boat will be required to display advertising as supplied by the organizing authority.
(b) Boats shall not be permitted to protest for an alleged breach of any rule regarding advertising. This changes RRS 60.1.

13. Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the skippers and crews placing first through third. The names of the winning team will be engraved on the Osprey Cup, which will remain at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

14. Media, Images and Sound
The organizing authority may require television equipment or dummies to be carried on board while racing, and may require competitors to be available for interviews. The organizing authority and event sponsors shall have the right to use any images and sound recorded during the event free of any charge. All skippers and crew shall be required to sign a waiver and consent granting to SPYC and the Title Sponsor the right to use their names and/or images in advertising relating to the event.

15. Coach Boats
(a) Coach boats shall register with the organizing authority, and conspicuously display identification of the team(s) being coached.
(b) Any interference by a coach boat with the racing or event organization may result in a penalty applied at the discretion of the jury to the appropriate skipper(s) or team(s).

16. Disclaimer
All those taking part in the event do so at their own risk. The organizing authority, the sponsor, their associates and appointees accept no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury or inconvenience incurred, howsoever caused.

17. Invitations
Entries will only be accepted from invited skippers. If you wish to be invited please register your request for an invitation as soon as possible with the organizing authority by completing the electronic form which will be found on the event web site.
<www.rolexwomensmatch.org>

Accommodations will be provided in Club members’ homes, if requested by September 15.

For further information please address:
Pat Seidenspinner
1935 Iowa Avenue NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33703
Phone 727-522-0723
Fax 727-527-0619
E-mail pseidens@tampabay.rr.com