The Royal Geelong Yacht Club Inc. (RGYC) as the Organizing Authority (OA) invites owners and charterers of eligible boats to apply for entry to this regatta to be held on Port Phillip and Corio Bay.

1. RULES
   1. The Race will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the Australian Sailing (AS) Special Regulations Part 1 & Part 2.
   2. COVID-19 restrictions, regulations and guidelines shall apply as specified by the Victorian State Government and the Australian Government.
   3. All boats shall comply with the Victorian statutory requirements, including Maritime Safety Victoria requirements, available on its website https://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety or click HERE.
   4. The minimum number of crew on any boat shall be two (2). A minimum of two (2) crew on any boat shall be over the age of eighteen (18) years. Minimum ages are taken from the start date of the regatta. This clause shall not apply to Classes covered by AS Special Regulations Part 2.
   5. RRS 51 is changed to allow for boats designed and built with moveable ballast.
   6. RRS 52 is changed to allow powered winches for all non-IRC boats over 14.0m LOA.
   7. For Multihulls only, RRS 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty.
   8. For all other boats, RRS 44.1 is changed so that The Two-Turns Penalty applies for infringements inside a Zone and the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty for infringements outside a Zone.
2. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS (SI’s)
   1. It is the intention of the OA to have the sailing instructions available by Monday 10th January 2022.
   2. The sailing instructions (SI’s) will be posted on the event web site www.festivalofsails.com.au or HERE and official notice board located adjacent to the Regatta Office.
3. COMMUNICATION
   1. All boats shall carry a VHF radio capable of communicating on channels 10,16,69,70,71,72,73.
   2. The race committee may broadcast the course to be sailed, names/sail numbers of recalled boats and or other information of interest to competitors on the appropriate VHF channel. Any such communications by the race committee will not be considered as outside help. This alters RRS 41.
   3. While racing, except in an emergency, a boat shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats.
4. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
   1. The event is open to all keelboats which are seaworthy, insured (see NoR 19.1) and are on the boat register of an AS affiliated club.
   2. The event classes will be defined and handicapped as follows:
      

      Class	Definition	Handicap System
      Melges 24 National Championship	Boats shall comply with Melges 24 Class rules and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 7. They will compete in windward-leeward racing each day.	Scratch
      Double Handed Victorian Championship	Boats shall be over 7.5m LOA, crewed by two persons only and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will compete in the Passage Race then fixed mark racing on subsequent days.	IRC, ORCc & EHC
      Windward-Leeward Rating Series	Boats will have valid IRC, TPR, AMS, ORCi or ORCc rating certificates and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will compete in the Passage Race then windward-leeward racing on subsequent days.	IRC, TPR, AMS,ORCi & ORCc
      Passage Rating Series	Boats will have valid AMS, ORCi or ORCc rating certificates and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will compete in the Passage Race then fixed mark racing on subsequent days.	AMS, ORCi & ORCc
      Passage Spinnaker Series	Boats shall be of a cruising style/design and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will compete in the Passage Race then fixed mark racing on subsequent days.	EHC
      Passage NonSpinnaker Series	Boats shall sail with mainsail and jib only and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. A jib is defined as a headsail with the entire luff attached along a headstay. They will compete in the Passage Race then fixed mark racing on subsequent days.	EHC
      Multihull Series	Boats shall have valid OMR rating, comply with relevant class rules and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will compete in the Passage Race then fixed mark racing on subsequent days.	OMR & EHC
      S80 Series	Boats shall comply with S80 Class rules and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will compete in the Passage Race then windward-leeward racing on subsequent days.	Scratch & EHC
      Bluebird Series	Boats shall comply with Bluebird Class rules and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will compete in the Passage Race then fixed mark racing on subsequent days.	Scratch & EHC
      Etchells Series	Boats shall comply with International Etchells Class rules and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 7. They will compete in windward-leeward racing each day.	Scratch
      Classic Boat Series	Boats shall be designed before 1970, built from traditional materials and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will compete in the Passage Race then fixed mark racing on subsequent days.	EHC
      Passage + Twilight Series	Boats shall be owned by RGYC members or have owner/skipper from other clubs who have not entered a Festival of Sails regatta since before the 2018 event. Boats shall comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 5. They will only compete in the Passage Race and the scheduled Twilight race.	EHC
      Sports Boat Series	Sport Boat shall meet the requirements of the Australian Sports Boat Association constitution and have an SMS rating of 0.755 or greater. RRS 49.1 shall not apply to Melges 24’s and Magic 25’s if racing in full compliance with their respective class rules and it is noted on the boats’ SMS certificate that the rating incorporates hiking devices. ASBA Constitution section 4.1.13 shall not apply to Elliott 7’s if racing in full compliance with their respective class rules. Boats shall comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 7. They will compete in windward-leeward racing each day	SMS & EHC
      Corio Bay Racing Series	For boats that do not comply with other FOS Classes and comply with AS Special Regulations Part 1 Category 7. They will compete in fixed mark racing each day.	EHC

   3. Eligible boats may enter online on the Event website HERE no later than 24:00 hrs Sunday 9th January 2022.
   4. To be considered an entry in the event, a boat shall complete all registration requirements and pay all fees.
   5. Late entries may be accepted up to 17:00 hrs Thursday 13th January 2022 at the discretion of the OA and with payment of a Late Entry Fee of $100 in addition to the Entry Fee.
   6. The OA may alter, amalgamate or divide any class and may add or delete classes as required.
   7. The OA may cancel any class if fewer than 6 entries have been received by the entry close date. If this does occur, boats that have entered the cancelled class will have the option of transferring to another class (if eligible) or having their entry fee refunded.
5. FEES
   1. Entry fees are as follows:
      

      Class	Entry Fee (incl GST)
      Melges 24 National Championship	$440
      Double Handed Victorian Championship	$360
      Windward-Leeward Rating Series	$440
      Passage Rating Series	$360
      Passage Spinnaker Series	$360
      Passage Non-Spinnaker Series	$360
      Multihull Series	$360
      S80 Series	$360
      Bluebird Series	$360
      Etchells Series	$360
      Classic Boat Series	$360
      Passage + Twilight Series	$175
      Sports Boat Series	$360
      Corio Bay Racing Series	$230

   2. Requests for entry cancellation and entry fee refund will be processed if the request is received by the OA prior to 16:00 hrs Friday 7th January 2022. The entry fee less a $100 administration will be refunded. Thereafter, refunds will be made only in exceptional circumstances.
   3. If the event is abandoned or cancelled due to Government COVID restrictions, entry fees will be refunded in full.
6. CREW LIMITATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
   1. Prior to the start of the regatta, every boat shall complete the “Crew Information” section contained in the online Topyacht entry page. The information includes;
      – Full name
      – Contact phone number
      – Email address
      – Post code
   2. Skippers and crew who are not current financial members of an AS affiliated club can obtain a free AS Sail Pass for the event. Click HERE for information and instructions to obtain a Sail Pass.
   3. Prior to the first race, each entrant must complete the “Emergency Contact” section contained in the online Topyacht entry page. The emergency contact shall keep an accurate record of the details of all
      crew sailing on the boat on each day during the regatta.
7. ADVERTISING AND SPONSORS
   1. Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the OA.
   2. Any sponsor decals or Class flags will be distributed to competitors prior to racing.
8. SCHEDULE
   1. Sign-on procedures for each race will be included in the Sailing Instructions.
   2. Detail of races:
      

      Class	Saturday 22/1/22	Sunday 23/1/22	Monday 24/1/22	Tuesday 25/1/22	Max # races
      Melges 24 National Championship	WL	WL	WL	WL & PG	8
      Double Handed Victorian Championship	Passage	SC	LSC	SC & PG	4
      Windward-Leeward Rating Series	Passage	WL	WL	WL	8
      Passage Rating Series	Passage	LSC	SC & TW	SC & PG	5
      Passage Spinnaker Series	Passage	LSC	SC & TW	SC & PG	5
      Passage Non-Spinnaker Series	Passage	SC	SC & TW	SC & PG	5
      Multihull Series	Passage	LSC	SC & TW	SC & PG	5
      S80 Series	Passage	WL	WL	WL & PG	6
      Bluebird Series	Passage	SC	SC & TW	SC & PG	5
      Etchells Series	No racing	WL	WL	WL & PG	8
      Classic Boat Series	Passage	SC	SC & TW	SC & PG	5
      Passage + Twilight Series	Passage	No racing	TW	PG	2
      Sports Boat Series	WL	WL	WL	WL & PG	8
      Corio Bay Racing Series	SC	SC	SC	SC & PG	4

      Legend:
      

      Passage	Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race
      WL	Windward-Leeward course
      SC	Special Course around fixed marks
      LSC	Long Special Course around fixed marks
      TW	Twilight race (late afternoon first warning)
      PG	Prize giving ceremony – as soon as practicable after racing on Tuesday 25th January

   3. The scheduled time of the warning signal for the Melbourne to Geelong passage race is 09:25 hrs
   4. The scheduled time of the warning signals for all other racing will be detailed in the Sailing Instructions.
   5. On the last scheduled day of racing no warning signal will be made after 14:00 hrs.
9. EQUIPMENT INSPECTIONS
   1. Boats entering into a Class requiring a specific rating certificate shall produce or verify the existence of a valid rating certificate if requested by the OA, Race Committee or Jury.
   2. Boats shall be available for equipment inspection by the OA or Race Committee if requested.
   3. Boats may be inspected at any time.
   4. Boats shall also comply with RRS 78 when presented for inspection.
10. VENUE
    1. The plan of the event venue will be available at the event web site.
    2. The racing areas will be included in the Sailing Instructions.
11. COURSES
    1. The Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race starts in the waters south of Williamstown and is approximately 32nm in length.
    2. All other racing will be sailed in Outer Harbour and Corio Bay.
    3. The full detail of start locations, courses and marks will be in the Sailing Instructions.
12. PENALTY SYSTEM
    1. The intention is to appoint a national jury as provided in RRS 70.5
    2. The right of appeal from a national jury decision is denied as provided in RRS 70.5 (b)
    3. The first sentence of RRS 64.2 is changed to:-
       When the Jury decides that a boat that is a party to a protest hearing has broken a rule and is not exonerated, it may disqualify her, impose any lesser penalty or no penalty at all.
13. SCORING
    1. Rule A5.3 applies
    2. Two races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
    3. Discards allowed are as follows:
       

       Races Completed	Discards
       1 – 5	0
       6 – 8	1

14. SUPPORT PERSON VESSELS
    1. Support person vessels must be registered with the OA at the time of entry by completing the relevant section on the online Topyacht entry page.
    2. Support person vessels shall be marked with a flag supplied by the OA prior to the first race.
15. BERTHING
    1. Boats shall be kept in their assigned places while in the marina as directed by the RGYC Marina Manager.
    2. Berthing and mooring for competing boats will be available from 08:00 hrs Friday 21st January until 12:00 hrs Thursday 27th January 2022.
16. HAUL-OUT RESTRICTIONS
    1. Keelboats shall not be hauled out during the event except with and according to the term of prior written permission of the race committee.
17. DIVING EQUIPMENT AND PLASTIC POOLS
    1. Underwater breathing apparatus and plastic pools or their equivalent shall not be used around boats between the preparatory signal of the first race and the end of the event.
    2. Boats shall not be cleaned below the waterline by any means during the event.
18. RISK STATEMENT
    1. RRS 3 states: ‘The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue to race is hers alone.’ By participating in this event each competitor agrees and acknowledges that sailing is a
       potentially dangerous activity with inherent risks. These risks include strong winds and rough seas, sudden changes in weather, failure of equipment, boat handling errors, poor seamanship by other boats, loss of balance on an unstable platform and fatigue resulting in increased risk of injury. Inherent in the sport of sailing is the risk of permanent, catastrophic injury or death by drowning, trauma, hypothermia or other causes.
19. INSURANCE
    1. Each participating boat shall be insured with the valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of AUD $10,000,000 per incident or the equivalent.
20. PRIZES
    1. Prizes will be awarded to boats placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each class with 5 or more entrants.
    2. Classes with less than 5 entrants will be awarded 1st place only.
    3. Special trophies that may be awarded are;
       1. EHC Teams: For boats entered in the Passage Rating Series and Passage Spinnaker Series, the EHC results of the best three performing boats from each club will be combined. First place only will be awarded.
       2. Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race Line honours trophies for first Overall, first Monohull and first Multihull.
       3. Passage Race Deakin University Helmswoman awarded to the woman whose boat finishes the Passage Race as best performed on handicap within its division, when compared across all
          divisions. The helmswoman must be at the helm at least 75% of the race period, including a minimum of one hour commencing from the preparatory signal and at least 15 minutes prior to and
          including the finish. In the event of eligible boats having the same finishing position in different divisions, the boat that is in the division with the largest number of entries will be the winner.
       4. Passage Race Youth Team Trophy awarded to the boat which finishes the Passage Race as best performed boat on handicap within its division, when compared across all divisions. The
          helmsperson must be under 25 years of age as of 21/01/2022. He/she must be at the helm for at least 75% of the race period, including a minimum of one hour commencing from the preparatory signal and for at least 15 minutes prior to and including the finish. The boat must have 75% of the crew under 25 years of age as of 21/01/2022.In the event of eligible boats having the same finishing position in different divisions, the boat that is in the division with the largest number of entries, will
          be the winner.
    4. Other trophies may be awarded at the discretion of the OA.
21. MEDIA RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS
    1. It is a condition of entry that the owner or charterer of the boat and all crew members:
       1. acknowledge that the OA owns all media rights to the RGYC and Festival of Sails and may exercise those rights as it sees fit
       2. grant the OA the unconditional, perpetual right and authority to publish and broadcast anywhere in the world, for any purpose and in any media, the names, images and biographical information relating to the crew and photographs, video footage and audio recordings taken of the boat and its crew prior to, during and after the Festival of Sails.
    2. Crew members of boats may, prior to, during and after the regatta, speak or provide material to any media representatives accredited by the OA, regarding the regatta and the prospects, performance or
       strategy of boats entered or participating in the regatta, subject to any comments and material not undermining or interfering with, or having a detrimental impact on, the OA and its officers and
       employees, the Race Committee, the National Jury, measurers or current or former sponsors of the OA. This approval may be revoked by the OA in respect of a boat or media representative at any time.
    3. By lodging an Entry into the Festival of Sails 2022 all crew members acknowledge and accept the media restrictions referred to in this paragraph on the entry. Any breach of these conditions may, at the
       discretion of the OA or the Race Committee, lead to the rejection of an entry, the cancellation of an entry or the disqualification of a boat (refer RRS 76.1). This does not limit the right of the OA to take any
       other action it sees fit to enforce compliance with these conditions.
22. FURTHER INFORMATION
    1. For further information please contact Peter Kirman, Sailing and Boating Manager, RGYC;
       P: 03 5229 3705
       M: 0439 275 294
       E: peterk@rgyc.com.au