Worlds 2006

WM-Rules 2005
 THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

RULES GOVERNING THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE
INTERNATIONAL 5.5 METRE CLASS
Article 1
1.1. Purpose
 The purpose of the World Championship shall be to determine annually the championship of the International 5.5 Metre Class
Article 2
2.1. Categories
 The 5.5 Metre Class defines 3 categories of boats:
1. Modern Fleet: Boats built after 1.1.1990
2. Evolution Fleet: Boats built from 1.1.1970 to 31.12.1989
3. Classic Fleet: Boats built before 1.1.1970
Article 3
3.1. Perpetual Trophy for the Champion
 The Perpetual Trophy was designed at the instigation of Mr. Owen Aisher, the first President of the International 5.5 Metre Class Association. It was paid for by contributions from yachtmen of the various countries represented in the 5.5 Metre Class in 1961. The Trophy shall be awarded annually to the winner of the World Championship, regardless of its category and it shall be his responsibility to see that it reaches the venue for the next World Championship two months before the first race. The name of the winner and the yacht shall be engraved on the Trophy.
3.2. Insurance
 The Trophy shall be insured by the International 5.5 Metre Class Association.
3.3. Replica
 The winner shall also receive a replica of the Trophy which shall be provided by the International 5.5 Metre Class Association.
3.4. Other perpetual Trophies
 1. The „H.R.Symonette Trophy“ is a perpetual Trophy given by the Symonette family in remembrance of Bobby Symonette, the „motor“ of the Class for many years. The Symonette family will decide each year the race of the World Championship for which this trophy shall be sailed.

2. The „DEB Cup“ is a perpetual trophy presented in 1998 by Camper and Nicholsen, Gosport, builder of the first 5.5 Metre „the Deb“ in 1948, for the winner of the first race in the World Championship.

3. The “Quail Cup” is a perpetual trophy and was presented by Judith Shanks in 1998 in memory of her grandfather who owned Quail and her mother who sailed her. Exact rules to be decided by Judith Shanks and Category 3 boat representatives from Finland, Holand and Italy.
3.5. Trophies for Categories 2 and 3
 A Trophy each shall be awarded annually to the winners of Category 2 and 3 (see Art. 2.1.) competing in the World Championship. Or, in case that a boat of one of these two Categories wins the EC-title, a Trophy for category 1. These Trophies shall be provided by the organization holding the World Championship.
3.6. Other prizes
 1. In addition to the replica, the first, second and third place yachts shall receive gilded, silver and bronze medals for the helmsman and the crew in the same manner as these are presented in the Olympic Games.

2. The organization holding the World Championship shall be responsible for seeing that each helmsman and member of the crew receive a participation present.
Article 4
4.1. Venue
 The World Championship shall be held each year at the place agreed by the International 5.5 Metre Class Association at a meeting held no later than at the time of the preceding World Championship.
Article 5
5.1. Eligibility
 Any yacht which holds a valid certificate of rating shall be entitled to enter. Entries shall be in the hands of the organization holding the event not less than 30 days before the first race and entries shall be accompanied by a copy of the valid certificate of rating.
5.2. Entries
 An entry fee may be charged by the organization holding the Championship but in the event the entry fee shall not exceed Swiss Fr. 800.-- (including crane usage for boat into the water and out again, one time), or its equivalent in the currency of the country holding the event.
5.3. Late entries
 Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the organization holding the event.
5.4. Helmsman/Crew
 The helmsman must be a National of the country that he represents. Crew requirements as laid down by the International Sailing Federation from time to time shall be followed. There are no limitations as to the number of professionals on board.
Article 6
6.1. Measurement
 The requirements as to measurement shall be those laid down by the Class and the International Sailing Federation from time to time. Generally speaking, a valid certificate of measurement shall be accepted. Measurements of sails, black bands etc. may be required at any time. The host club should have a measurer available for measuring at the start of a Series and, if required, during the Series.
Article 7
7.1. Racing Rules
 All races shall be conducted under the Racing Rules of Sailing of ISAF, the rules of procedure of the 5.5 Metre Class currently in force, and those of the National Authority under whose auspices the races are being conducted.
7.2. Category
 The Championship shall be a Category "C" event according to Appendix G of the Racing Rules of Sailing, except that advertising on mainsail and jib, other than the sailmakers logo, are not allowed.
7.3. Format
 An optimum of six days and not less than five days shall be scheduled for the racing plus an additional day for measuring. No reserve day shall be scheduled. There shall be a close liaison between the organizer of the event and the Class President as to determinate the wishes of both parties.
7.4. Number of races
 The World Championship shall consist of seven or ten scheduled races.
7.5. Minimum number of races
 When seven races are scheduled a minimum of four races is necessary to constitute a championship. When ten races are scheduled, a minimum of six races is necessary.
7.6. Discards
 Where it is possible to complete seven races, one discard shall be scheduled.
Where it is possible to complete ten races, two discards shall be scheduled.
Where it is possible to complete only four, resp six races, than all shall score.
7.7. Postponements
 Postponed or unfinished races shall be rescheduled and sailed as soon as possible, but in no event after the date and time scheduled for the last race.
7.8. Other races
 The World Championship can be sailed in conjunction with one other class, provided boats of the other class will not be in the way and fair racing for both classes is guaranteed.
7.9. Wind strength
 No race shall be started in winds of 27 knots (6 Bft.) or greater or, at the discretion of the Race Committee, in winds less than 27 knots if the sea conditions are such that racing would not be appropriate. No race shall be started in less than 5 knots of wind.
7.10. Course
 The course shall be two complete right angled triangles followed by a windward leg. Mark 2, the "offset" mark, to be about 100 metres at right angle to port of the windward mark (Mark 1). All marks to be rounded to port.
7.11. Races per day
 If one race per day is scheduled the length of the windward legs shall be approximately 2.1 nautical miles. If two races per day are scheduled, the length of the windward legs shall be approximately 1.5 nautical miles. There shall be not more than two races per day.
7.12. Categories
 Regardless of category (see Art. 2.1.), all boats sail together, start at the same time, sail the same course and finish on the same finishing line.
7.13. Shortening course
 No course shall be shortened.
7.14. Time limits
 The time limit shall be based on three knots of speed of the leading yacht: If no yacht has rounded the first mark in 42 minutes on a 2.1 nm course or 30 minutes on a 1.5 nm course, the race shall be abandoned and restarted, or abandoned for the day.
Yachts still racing more than one hour after the first yacht finishes, or after the time limit, whichever is later, shall be awarded points for the place behind the last yacht which has finished.
7.15. Penalty
 The turns penalty of the Racing Rules of Sailing shall apply with the exception that the turn shall be only 360°.
Article 8
8.1. Scoring
 It is left to the discretion of the organizing committee to either sail the Bonus- or the Low-Point-Scoring-System as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing. Lowest total score wins the World Champion title and the Perpetual Trophy.
8.2. Categories 2+3
 Lowest total score of the Categories 2 and 3 boats win the relevant trophies as described in Art. 3.5. and 3.6. Categories 2 and 3 may have their own ranking list. The same points per race will be used as in the total score.
8.3 Tie
See Racing Rules of Sailing Art. A 2.3
8.4. Racing instructions
 Racing instructions, course signals and other procedural requirements shall conform as closely as practicable to those laid down by the International Sailing Federation. Provision may be made for penalties less than total disqualification.
8.5. Protests
 Protest must be filed in writing with the International Jury as laid down in the Rules of the International Sailing Federation. Decisions of the International Jury or Protest Committee shall not be subject to appeal.
Article 9
9.1. Reports
 The organizing authority or the President of the National Class Association in which the World Championship has been sailed is responsible for a brief report on the event, including the ranking list.
This report should be in the hands of the Class-President/Secretary not later than 4 weeks after the event has taken place.
9.2. Photos
 A good photographer is welcomed on the site to visually document the event.
9.3. Amendments
 The President of the International 5.5 Metre Class Association and two officers or their representatives at a Championship may authorize departures from the requirements of Article 6 and 7 if local conditions at the venue make them desirable or if other important circumstances call for exceptions.
9.4. Interpretation
 In interpreting these rules the English text is decisive.

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