Regulation 4.5.4

Regulation 4.5.4 details Yachting New Zealand's regulations regarding National Championship and other Major events, including the criteria that must be met in order for an event to be approved as a national championship and for the winner to be recognised as the national champion.

4.5.4 Yachting New Zealand approval of National Championships and Other Major Events

Yachting New Zealand approval is required for any event that is described as a National Championship, uses the word “national” in the title of the event, or any of the promoters, organisers or any other organisation officially connected with the event, represents or holds out in any way that the event is a National Championship or does the foregoing in such a way that the event is reasonably perceived to be a National Championship.

Each class that is affiliated to Yachting New Zealand is automatically granted the right, subject to the requirements of this regulation to hold one National Championship annually. An event listed in the Grouping of Events that is not a class event is entitled to be run annually and confer the title “National Champion”.

A class that does not meet the criteria to hold a National Championship may hold a class championship. In the event where two Organising Authorities apply to hold the same event the applications shall be referred to the Yachting New Zealand committee deemed most appropriate by the Chief Executive to make recommendations to Yachting New Zealand.

Objectives

This regulation aims to ensure there is value in the title of “National Champion” and ensure National and World Championship events are sailed in accordance with the practices and procedures that apply to major events that shall be of a uniformly high standard of organisation on the water and on shore.

The regulation also aims to ensure all New Zealand sailors can be informed of the opportunity to compete for the title of “National Champion”.

Criteria

Organising Authority

The Organising Authority shall comply with Racing Rules of Sailing rule 89.1.

Notice to Yachting New Zealand

Yachting New Zealand shall be advised of the name of the Class(es), the Organising Authority and the planned dates of the event as soon as this information is available, but by June 30th prior to the season or at no later than 6 months before the competition, whichever occurs earlier.

The following must be included:

• The Class(es)
• The proposed venue of the event
• The proposed dates of the event
• The club or other organisation which will form the Organising Committee to conduct the Championship REGULATIONS OF YACHTING NEW ZEALAND
• Any other details requested by Yachting New Zealand

Name of National Championship

The name of a National Championship shall be: {year} {naming rights sponsor} New Zealand {class} National Championship.

Where an event does not comply with these criteria it may not have the term National in its title.

Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions

The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions shall be in accordance with Racing Rules of Sailing appendix J as modified by Yachting New Zealand and shall be approved by Yachting New Zealand before publication.

Any preliminary Notice of Race which is published shall contain a statement as to the date by which the final Notice of Race will be published.

Yachting New Zealand prescribes to rule 89.2

Yachting New Zealand prescribes that for the purposes of ensuring that all world or international events sailed within New Zealand waters will comply with the rules in all respects, the organising authority shall, not less than one month before the issue of any Notice of Race, send to Yachting New Zealand a draft of that Notice of Race and any supplementary information it may then require. No such Notice of Race shall be issued by the organising authority to potential competitors unless Yachting New Zealand or World Sailing has consented to the issue of that Notice of Race.

Time Frames

A draft of the Notice of Race should be received by Yachting New Zealand for approval at least 4 months prior to the event.

A draft of the Sailing Instructions should be received by Yachting New Zealand for approval two month prior to the event.

The Notice of Race shall be published and communicated to all clubs known to race the class, 3 months prior to the event.

Eligibility to Hold a National Championship

The championship shall be for a Yachting New Zealand affiliated Class, full World Sailing class affiliated to Yachting New Zealand or other major event listed below.

Offshore keelboat events requiring Cat 1 or 2 are not covered by this regulation. Please refer to Yachting New Zealand Addendum D.

Insurance

The Organising Authority is required to hold adequate insurance to cover the Organising Authority, its officers, employees, and any members or other volunteers assisting the Organising Authority in conducting the event, against any claims by third persons arising from the event. This shall include:

• current Public Liability insurance to a minimum of $5,000,000. This cover must have no marine and/or watercraft restrictions.
• 3rd party liability insurance for vessels operated by the Organising Authority for the event

It is highly recommended that Organising Authorities require competitors to be insured with valid marine third-party liability insurance of $1,000,000 for dinghies and $5,000,000 for keelboats.

Class Rules

The Organising Authority shall make available to the Protest Committee the current class rules and championship guidelines for each class competing in the event.

Eligibility

All entrants and crew members shall be financial members of a yacht club affiliated to Yachting New Zealand, or be a member of his/her Member National Authority or one of its affiliated organizations (such membership shall be established by the competitor). Each crew shall comply with World Sailing Regulation 19. When the event is a World Sailing ranking event, entrants shall also have an “World Sailing Sailor ID”.

Advertising

The boats shall comply with World Sailing Regulation 20.

Recognition of Winners

The winner(s) of the events will be recognised as Yachting New Zealand National Champions provided that:

• The event is a National Championship All conditions of this Regulation 4.5.4 have been complied with
• A minimum of 7 races shall be scheduled of which a minimum of 5 races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
• A minimum of six yachts must have started in any one race in the series (with the exception of the following classes: Skud 18, 2.4, Sonar, Hansa 2.3, Hansa Liberty, Hansa 303 – Single Handed, Hansa 303 – Double Handed where 5 yachts must have started in any one race in the series).
• A Female National Champion shall be recognised in national championships where a minimum of six all- female crewed yachts have started in any one race in the series.

Yachting New Zealand prescribes that the winner, regardless of nationality, shall be recognised as the Yachting New Zealand National Championship.

Post Event

Within Two Weeks of the Event

Within two weeks after the event the Organisers should forward to Yachting New Zealand

• A set of final results detailing: Sail Number, Boat Name, Full Name of Skipper and Crew, Club or Nationality of entry.
• Names and contact details of all members of the winning crew.
• Yachting New Zealand will include this information on their website
• An event report; providing comment on the event, its success or otherwise, as well as details of any lessons learnt from conducting the event.
• A development report detailing the organiser’s suggestions and recommendations as to the continued development and improvement of the event.

Grouping of Events

Race Officer

For Group A events Yachting New Zealand will appoint the Race Officer.

For Group B events the Organising Authority shall recommend a National Race Officer with experience of the boats of the class or type sailing in the event for Yachting New Zealand’s approval. For Group C events the Organising Authority shall appoint a National Race Officer with experience of the boats of the class or type sailing in the event.

Organising authorities shall be responsible for costs incurred by Race Officials for travel, accommodation, per diem and other costs. The organisers should refer to the YNZ paper “Guidelines Approved by the Yachting New Zealand for Judges, Umpires and Race Officers Expense Reimbursements”.

Protest Committee

For Group A events Yachting New Zealand will appoint the Protest Committee.

For Group B events where an international jury is not appointed the Organising Authority shall recommend a protest committee for Yachting New Zealand’s approval, which shall be a minimum of 3 persons and includes a minimum of one International Judge or two National Judges.

For Group C events the Organising Authority shall appoint a protest committee which shall be a minimum of 3 persons and includes a minimum of one National Judge. When it is not possible to provide the services of a National Judge to attend the event, subject to approval by the chairman of the judges subcommittee before the start of the event, a protest committee consisting of 3 persons and a National Judge on telephone link will be acceptable.

Organising authorities shall be responsible for costs incurred by Race Officials for travel, accommodation, per diem and other costs. The organisers should refer to the YNZ paper “Guidelines Approved by the Yachting New Zealand for Judges, Umpires and Race Officers Expense Reimbursements”.

National Championships of Inactive Classes

With the prior approval of Yachting New Zealand; Olympic Classes that are not active in New Zealand may have their Class Champions determined at an event sailed overseas provided a minimum of 3 boats, that comply with World Sailing eligibility requirements to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games compete in the event. Approval of Yachting New Zealand is required 6 months before the event.

Yachting New Zealand Media Support Guidelines

It is important to the sport of sailing that principal and major events receive due media exposure. Yachting New Zealand is skilled in media relations and communications and will assist the Organising Authority to gain media exposure for the event by providing advice and support on request. The Organising Authority should endeavour to fulfil the following steps with respect to media exposure:

• Appoint a competent person to manage media and communication relating to the Event.
• List the Event on the www.yachtingnz.org.nz on-line calendar
• Compile a list of relevant local and national media contacts (available on request from Yachting New Zealand)
• Provide Event information in advance, and during competition via written media releases. (Advice on preparing media releases available on request from Yachting New Zealand)
• Publish reports and results on the Event, Class and/or Club website.
• A Media boat, provided by the Organising Authority, with competent driver should where possible be available for the duration of the event.
• Engaging an event photographer would be encouraged, and images provided to the media.

Dispensation

Yachting New Zealand may give dispensation to requirements of this addendum upon application from the Organising Authority prior to the event. Applications for dispensation shall be addressed to the Chief Executive of Yachting New Zealand who shall refer the application to the Chair of the Race Officials Committee (ROC) for their consideration. YNZ will advise all relevant parties of their decision as soon as possible. Adopted 28 June 2018

4.5.5 Arbitration This regulation has been deleted and replaced by World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing Appendix T. Adopted 16th December 2016