New Rules Approved for 2021

by Antonio Bari

(Published on the Snipe Bulletin)

Junior Age – postponed from 2019 – Not Approved

The Junior maximum age is unchanged (21 years)

20-1 Number of Races and discards – Approved

What will change?

The maximum number of races scheduled in major events is dropped to 9. Only one race shall be excluded after the 7th race is completed.

The number of races scheduled in the South European Championship is dropped to 6.

Only two races shall be sailed in one day. Three races only if behind schedule or to recover lost races.

The proposal included the option to use different courses or a different schedule than the standard SCIRA. This will be allowed only for local conditions upon approval of the Board of Governors.

What documents are affected?

The Rules of Conduct and the pertinent Deeds of Gift will be updated accordingly.

Comment

This change was requested by the sailors at the 2019 World Championship open forum.

20-2 Black Flag – Approved

What will change?

Race Committees can use the Black Flag, but not before 2 general recalls and ONLY in fleets larger than 45 boats.

What documents are affected?

The Rules of Conduct will be updated accordingly.

Comment

This change was requested by the sailors at the 2019 World Championship open forum.

20-3 Rules Committee duties – Approved

What will change?

Section 28 of the Constitution is updated

To establish the actual number of the appointed members of the Rules Committee.

To extend the possibility to make recommendations to the Board not only on the Class Rules but also on the Rules of Conduct.

To establish that the Rules Committee appointed members shall not also be members of the Board of Governors to guarantee independence.

What documents are affected?

The Constitution will be updated accordingly.

Comment

The most valuable change is the extension of the Committee’s duties, which remain within the technical area.

20-4 Hub E. Isaac Deed of Gift – Approved

What will change?

The Open World Championship DoG is changed to establish that the SCIRA Chief Measurer shall be the chief of the Measurement Committee at the Worlds.

What documents are affected?

The Hub E. Isaac Deed of Gift.

Comment

This change will guarantee the best measurement procedures at the highest level class event.

20-5 Boat weight – Withdrawn

Word Sailing already clarified that the current rule wording includes the jib sheet in the total weight of the boat.

20-6 Corrector weights – Not Approved

What will change?

Nothing. Corrector weights can be fixed everywhere in the boat in a visible position. If inside a tight compartment they must be visible through the inspection port.

Comment

If inside the cockpit, corrector weights must be all the time visible, even if under the central carter as in many boats. If not visible, hole(s) must be drilled in the carter to make the weights visible. If inside a tight compartment, the weights must be visible through the inspection port and not hidden (i.e. under the cockpit floor…)

Final comment

Following the Board’s decisions, no changes have been approved to the currently adopted Class Rules. The new document (Snipe Class Rules 2021-2024) will be in force from January 1st, 2021 with the same text than the current version.

According to the Constitution, no change in the rules
is allowed during the 4 years of effectiveness unless of extreme urgency.
This will not prevent that clarifications or explanations might amend the text, upon the approval of World Sailing, to improve the wording or to clarify the rules.