Published using Google Docs
NOR_Novice Regatta_2026.docx
Updated automatically every 5 minutes

West Sound Corinthian Yacht Club

Notice of Race:

Novice Regatta

May 9, 2026

  1. RULES
  1. The series will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and US SAILING Prescriptions.
  2. The WSCYC Standard Sailing Instructions for Sinclair Inlet (effective 1/1/2026) (SI) will apply.
  3. The PHRF-Northwest handicapping rules will apply.  Rules are available at https://phrf-nw.org/  
  4. The Racing Rules of Sailing rule 35 will be changed.  The changes will appear in the Notice of Race (NOR).  The sailing instructions may also change other racing rules.
  5. The signal for the Finish line shall be an ORANGE flag, not BLUE as prescribed in the RRS.  This changes RRS “Race Signals”.

  1. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
  1. The Sailing Instructions are available at wscyc.net in PDF format as “WSCYC Standard Sailing Instructions for Sinclair Inlet (SI).  

  1. COMMUNICATION
  1. The official notice Board is located at the committee boat or station.
  2. 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.
  3. Boats should Monitor Channel  72 for communications from Race Committee

  1. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
  1. The regatta is open to all novice, new to sailing, or those seeking additional racing experience in a low key setting with PHRF ratable boats.  Racers who do not know their boats rating are requested to contact the WSCYC Vice Commodore before race day.  This will allow time for assignment of an “off the cuff” rating that (we hope) will be fair to you as well as the other participants.  In the event of disagreement over a rating, the decision of the Race Committee shall be final.
  2. Experienced skippers and crew will be available to assist novices.
  3. There are three classes. No spinnakers or other flying sails may be used in Class 3, (cruising or NFS).
  4. Eligible boats may enter by completing the form provided below.  
  5. Late entries will be accepted at the discretion of the Race Committee.

  1. FEES
  1. Entry Fee is $15.00 for the Regatta, no matter how many races are raced.

  1. SCHEDULE
  1. Registration:  Online at wscyc.net or via hardcopy form delivered to the committee prior to the warning of a race.
  2. Date of racing:  Saturday May 9, 2026..
  3. Order of Starts is scheduled to be classes 3, 2 and 1.  The committee may elect to start all classes in one start which shall be communicated by flying the class 1 flag at the first start.
  4. The scheduled time of the first warning signal for the race is 11:00 a.m.  No starts shall occur after 4:30pm.
  5. Number of races will be based on the discretion of the race committee. A minimum of 1 race constitutes a series and a maximum of 5 races may occur based on conditions.

  1. EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
  1.  Each boat shall have a valid PHRF-NW rating certificate or shall obtain an “off the cuff” rating as described in NOR rule 4.1.

  1. VENUE
  1. The race will be held in Sinclair inlet and Port Orchard.  The start is adjacent to the Port Orchard Marina breakwater.
  2. The SI shows the location of the racing areas.

  1. THE COURSES
  1. The courses are given in the SI.  Lengths of courses range from 2.88 to 7.74 NM.  Additional marks may be set at the committee discretion to ensure appropriate course lengths.
  2. The committee may select to run a ‘zero mileage’ course, to give boats more practice with starts.  In such race, the finishing order is the order in which boats cross the start line.  

  1. SCORING
  1. Each boat’s series score shall be the total of her race scores.  If four or more races are completed, the three best race scores will be totaled.         

        

  1. TIME LIMIT
  1. The time limit for the first boat to finish will be 1-1/2 hours.  Boats failing to finish within 2 hours will be scored Did Not Finish (DNF) without a hearing.   This changes RRS 35.

  1. 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 drowing, trauma, hypothermia or other causes. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during or after the race.

  1. INSURANCE
  1. Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance.

  1. PRIZES
  1. Prizes will be awarded to WSCYC members, or new competitors who become members prior to the annual meeting, up to the third place for each division, based on the number of entries.

  1. SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE NOTIFICATION
  1. Vessels may not approach within 200 yards of a southern resident killer whale.
  2. Boaters may not position a vessel to be in the path of a southern resident killer whale at any point located within 400 yards of the whale. This includes positioning a vessel so that the prevailing wind or water current carries the vessel into the path of the whale at any point located within 400 yards of the whale.
  3. Boaters are obligated to disengage the transmission of a vessel that is within 200 yards of a  southern resident killer whale.
  4. Boaters may not feed a southern resident killer whale.

Registration Form

West Sound Corinthian Yacht Club

Novice Regatta

May 9, 2026

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Acceptance of late entries will be at the discretion of the race committee, and no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to the first start. Participants failing to comply with these requirements will be subject to disqualification.

(PLEASE PRINT)

SKIPPER__________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_________________________________________________________________ CITY_____________________________ZIP CODE__________ PHONE#______________

BOAT NAME_____________________________________YACHT CLUB_____________

SAIL#____________ BOAT MFG (CLASS)______________________________________

HULL COLOR_______________________ LOA______ PHRF MEMBER Yes___ No____

PHRF RATING________________RACE DIVISION, (1, 2, or NFS 3)________

The undersigned hereby assumes all risk of accident, and expressly agrees that participation is at the discretion of the owners/skippers. West Sound Corinthian Yacht Club, their officers, and the race committee shall not be liable for any loss or injury growing out of participation in this race. I am aware that I must comply with the rules of the road, and that I have no special privileges under those rules with regard to non-racing traffic

I, the undersigned, also represent to the race organizers that my yacht has liability insurance currently in effect, covering property damage, personal injury and death, and that this policy covers yacht racing activities.

SIGNED____________________________________________DATE________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS_________________________________

ENTRY FEES: $15.00