This page provides an overview of the different classes available for the Festival of Sails 2013 – it is not part of the Notice of Race and is only intended as a guide about the differences between the classes.
The boats that want to race on tight courses with multiple races each day will choose either the Performance Racing Series. There will be two scoring systems in the Performance Racing Series, AMS and EHC (Event Handicap).
The not-so-flat-out racers will chose the cruising classes (Classic Yachts, Cruising with Spinnakers or Cruising Non-Spinnaker).
Having said that, though, all classes will be ‘racing’ and the idea is to get to the finish line as fast as possible. Spinnakers are permitted (expected) in all classes except, of course, Cruising Non-Spinnaker.
It is expected that classes will be split into several smaller divisions so boats with similar speeds will be racing together.
2013 Audi IRC Australian Championship
- For the top class racers. Will be split into three divisions
- Handicapped using IRC rating
- Emphasis on Windward / Leeward courses
- Racing over four days
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
Performance Racing Series
- For keen racers which are not racing in the Audi IRC Australian Champsionship. Will be split in to divisions as required.
- Handicapped using AMS and EHC
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Emphasis on fair racing courses with Windward/Leeward courses and Passage courses
- Racing over three days including the Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
Premier Racing Series (Sydney 38)
- Racing One Design
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Emphasis on fair racing courses with Windward/Leeward courses and Passage courses
- Racing over three days including the Melbourne to Geelong passage race
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
Sports Boats Series
- Handicapped using SMS (Sportsboat Measurement System)
- Longest race approximately 14 miles
- Racing over four days including one longer passage type race
- Strong emphasis on Windward/Leeward courses
- YA Category 5 & 6 safety regulations apply
Super 30 Class
- For high performance, lightweight yachts up to 11 metres LOA
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- A mixture of Windward/Leeward courses and one passage race
- Handicapped using Australian Measurement System (AMS), certificate required
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
One Design Sport Boat Class (SB20)
- Must be in One Design trim
- Competing off scratch – no handicaps
- Longest race approximately 8 miles
- Racing over four days
- Racing on Windward/Leeward courses
- YA Category 7 safety regulations apply
Trailer Yacht Class
- Handicapped by the Yachting Victoria Handicap system
- Longest race approximately 12 miles
- Racing over three days
- Most course marks are fixed mark (rather than buoys)
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
Multi Hull Class
- Handicapped by the Multi-Hull Association Handicap system
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Strong emphasis on passage races
- Most course marks are fixed marks (rather than buoys)
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
Cruising One Design Classes (Noelex 30)
- Competing off scratch – no handicaps
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Racing over three days
- Never more than one race per day
- Most course marks are fixed marks (rather than buoys)
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
Classic Yacht Class
- Handicapped on previous/known performance for the boat or the type of boat
- Boats that were designed for racing in an earlier era
- Handicaps adjusted after each race
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Racing over three days
- Never more than one race per day
- Most course marks are fixed mark (rather than buoys)
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply for all races
Cruising with Spinnaker Class
- For all types of cruising orientated yachts
- Typically working sails are white sails (Race committee may make some allowances)
- Spinnakers are permitted (expected)
- This class will be split into divisions
- Handicapped on previous/known performance for the boat or the type of boat
- Handicaps adjusted after each race
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Racing over three days
- Never more than one race per day
- Most course marks are fixed marks (rather than buoys)
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
Cruising Non-Spinnaker class
- As above for Cruising Class, except that spinnakers are not permitted
Melges 24 National Championships
- Must be in One Design trim
- Competing off scratch – no handicaps
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Racing over four days
- Racing Windward/Leeward courses
- YA Category 6 safety regulations apply
Melges 32 Asia Pacific Series
- Must be in One Design trim
- Competing off scratch – no handicaps
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Racing over four days
- Racing Windward/Leeward courses
- YA Category 6 safety regulations apply
S80 Class
- Must be in One Design trim
- Competing off scratch – no handicaps
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Racing over three days
- A mixture of Windward/Leeward courses and one passage race
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
Farr 1020 Series
- For Farr 1020 class, will be raced on both AMS and EHC
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- A mixture of Windward/Leeward courses and one passage race
- Racing over three days
- Handicapped using Australian Measurement System (AMS), certificate required
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
J24 Class
- Must be in One Design trim
- Competing off scratch – no handicaps
- Longest race approximately 36 miles (Melbourne to Geelong)
- Racing over three days
- A mixture of Windward/Leeward courses and one special course
- YA Category 5 safety regulations apply
A-Class Southern Championships
- Competing off scratch – no handicaps
- Racing over four days
- Racing Windward/Leeward courses
- YA Category 6 safety regulations apply
International Cadets
- Must be in One Design trim
- Competing off scratch – no handicaps
- Racing over one day
- Racing Windward/Leeward courses
- YA Category 6 safety regulations apply
A number of the classes will be handicapped using the AMS boats not having the appropriate certificate can get one (this is usually fairly easily but allow plenty of time) by contacting their State Yachting Authority:
- Yachting Victoria – 03 9597 0066 or www.vic.yachting.org.au
- Yachting Queensland – 07 3393 6788 or www.qld.yachting.org.au
- Yachting NSW – 02 8116 9800 or www.nsw.yachting.org.au
- Yachting ACT – 02 6273 4777 or www.act.yachting.org.au
- Yachting Tasmania – 03 6383 4719 or www.tas.yachting.org.au
- Yachting South Australia – 08 8410 2117 or www.sa.yachting.org.au
- Yachting Western Australia – 08 9386 2438 or www.wa.yachting.org.au
- Yachting Northern Territory – 08 8985 5914 or www.nt.yachting.org.au
Yachts outside Australia requiring a certificate should contact their local yachting authority, or Yachting Australia on +61 2 8424 7400 or office@yachting.org.au.
If you have any questions about the above, please contact the Sailing Manager, Rodney Hagebols on
03 5229 3705 or sailadmin@rgyc.com.au.
