All races are under the jurisdiction of the Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA) as the organizing authority and under the management of the Race Committee of the Pensacola Yacht Club.
*Special Junior is defined as a junior skipper (cannot have reached his/her 20th birthday in 1996) sailing with a senior crew.
1. MANAGEMENT AND RULES
1.1 The current International Yacht Racing Rules 1993-96 (IYRR) and the prescriptions of the United States Sailing Association shall govern except as specifically modified by the SCIRA Constitution, By-Laws, and "Rules for Conducting National and International Championship Regattas" as published in the current rule book, the Notice of Race, (except for any of these as specifically modified in the Sailing Instructions), and these Sailing Instructions (SI).
1.2 The regatta as classified as a Category "A" event as per IYRR Appendix A3. SCIRA approval is not granted for the allowance of Section 3.1(e). Advertising and sponsorship is permitted subject to the restriction of the "SCIRA Event Sponsorship Policy" as specified in the Class Rules.
2. ALTERATION OF RULES
2.1 The regatta will be scored using the Low Point Scoring Table of the "International Snipe Class Scoring System", modified to delete item #1 under "DND". ( A penalty resulting from a protest of an infraction that was ineligible may be dropped for this event.)
3 ENTRY AND ELIGIBILITY
3.1 The regatta is open to any United States resident-member of SCIRA (owner or co-owner) sailing a Class-legal Snipe affixed with a current decal (sticker) and who has competed in at least five (5) Point Score races or SCIRA sanctioned races sailed during the current 1996 season.
3.2 Eligible boats and class member skippers may enter by completing registration with the organizing authority. All entry forms must be signed by your Fleet Captain.
3.3 Junior and Special Junior skippers are not restricted to prior race participation requirements and may join SCIRA at registration.
3.4 The same crew shall race in all races, except for reasons satisfactory to the Race Committee. Requests must be submitted in writing to the Race Committee Chairperson.
3.5 Once a crew has been excused, they may not return for the balance of the series.
4. ADVANCE REGISTRATION
4.1 Competitors may register in advance by completing the registration form available in the May issue of the Snipe Bulletin and sending it with the appropriate fees to: SCIRA, 1833 Tustin St., San Diego, CA 92106.
4.2 Advanced registrations shall be postmarked no later than Saturday, June 22, 1996.
4.3 No registration will be accepted after 1200 hours, Saturday, July 13, 1996.
4.4 Junior and Special Junior skippers are encouraged to pre-register but may complete registration at the regatta site no later than Friday, July 12, 1996 at 1200 hours.
5. FEES
5.1 The fees for the 1996 Snipe U.S. National Championships are:
| Junior National & Junior Skipper/Senior Crew Championship | No entry fee |
| U.S. National Championship for members of US Sailing | $125.00 (postmark by 6/22) |
| U.S. National Championship for non-members of US Sailing | $130.00 (postmark by 6/22) |
US Sailing ID cards will be checked during Sailor Registration.
5.2 Entries postmarked or hand-delivered after Saturday, June 22, 1996 (but received no later than Saturday, July 13 at 1200 hours) will require a $175.00 entry fee for US Sailing members with proof of membership card.
6. MEASUREMENT
6.1 Each yacht shall have on file with SCIRA a valid Measurement Data Sheet. In addition, sails, spars, centerboard, rudder, and other required equipment will be measured on site. Specific hulls will be selected for measurement.
6.2 If hull measurements are needed, boats should be available for the measurement crew by Friday, July 12, 1996 at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Measurement will begin at 0900 on Friday, July 12, 1996.
No boat may begin the measurement process after 1200 hours on Sunday, July 14.
6.4 Competitors using borrowed boats must provide their own sails for use in the regatta.
7. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The Sailing Instructions will be available on Friday, July 12 at 1000 hours, at the Registration Desk located in the foyer of the Pensacola Yacht Club.
8. SCHEDULE OF CHAMPIONSHIP RACES (No more than 3 races per day)
Junior National Championship & Special Junior Championship (Single Slart): July 13 and 14/ Four races - first daily start at 1200
Crosby Series: July 15 and 16/ Four races - first daily start at 1200
Heinzerling & Wells Series: July 17, 18 and 19/ Six races - first daily start at 1200
9. SCORING
9.1 Races will be scored in accordance with their appropriate Deed of Gift. The Junior/Special Junior and Crosby Series will schedule (4) races each, with no dropped races, and the Heinzerling Series will schedule six (6) races, with one (1) dropped race if all six races are sailed.
10. ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES
The 720 degree turns penalty, IYRR Appendix B1.1, shall apply.
11. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE HEINZERLING/WELLS SERIES
All races completed will be used to award the Crosby Memorial Trophy. Those pre-qualified skippers for the Heinzerling include: the current National Champion, all current District Champions, and the current Wells Champion. The Crosby qualifiers, includung those pre-qualified, up to a total of 32 (plus ties) will compete in the Heinzerling Series. If the current Wells Champion is attending, the number is increased to 33 (plus ties). Those sailing in the Crosby Series, who do not qualify for the Heinzerling Series, may sail in the Wells Series.