Measurement and Class Rules Compliance

by Pietro Fantoni – SCIRA Vice Commodore

Compliance with Class Rules is critical to ensure that a Class does not lose credibility. If class rules are not respected and they are not enforced, there can be an escalation of fraud (more and more people cheat), and also a disenchantment among those who respect the rules and no longer appreciate this game without rules.

For the rules to be respected, the rules must be well written in a clear and precise manner.

But this is often not enough. It is necessary that they are actually effectively respected. If the rule is not respected and eventually becomes ineffective, it loses its function and the structure of the Class is altered. This can create deep tensions among the members.

…

 

What makes Class rules effective is the way in which people feel it runs with their interests and not against them. The purpose of the measurements is to ensure that all sailors are able to compete at the same level, avoiding any doubt that someone is cheating. The measurements are the guarantees of the rules of the game and the measurers are the allies of the correct and fair competitor.

At the last Worlds in La Coruna, the work of the measurers was excellent. They worked for a total of 6 days for hours and hours to check 23 boats for the Junior Worlds and 85 for the Senior Worlds. We all have to thank the measurers and the volunteers for their hard work!

However, we can improve the measurement process. In fact, at the last Worlds, measurement lasted a total of 6 days. This is perhaps too much, because the measurement – even if needed – tangle competitors, measurers, volunteers and, if they last for many days, affect the cost of the event for the organizers. In addition, competitors often have limited vacation days and would prefer to spend their time on the race course (or at the club with friends) rather than stay in a queue for hours waiting for boat, mast, boom, pole, sails to be checked.

So this is the reason why the Board and the Rules Committee are studying methods and procedures to make measurements faster and more effective.

 

(Next week we will publish an article by Antonio Bari: “Measurements at championships”)

 

 

Note:

The current rules state:

Measurement at Events

The following are the minimum measurements to be conducted at each level of event:

Local Events:

 

√	each fleet shall weigh all boats at the start of each season. All new sails, before their use, shall be measured. Verify the sails have proper royalty labels
√	verify that the spars have required stripes and stoppers to limit sails dimensions
√	verify safety equipment: 2 lifejackets, a paddle, and a towing line of 10 meters length by 6 mm diameter
√	Verify current SCIRA decal on starboard aft side by transom

 

National Championship:

 

√	weigh boats,   measure and stamp sails, verify safety equipment
√	verify SCIRA decal of the year, stickers, royalty labels
√	at the discretion of measurers, check spars, rudder and centreboard
√	no more than two suits of sails per boat may be measured. It is strongly suggested that the use of an ink stamp (water proof) of the championship be used to identify measured sails. Ensure proper sail cloth is being used.
√	the same boat and measured equipment must be used throughout the entire event
√	petitions for replacement of irreparably damaged equipments shall be addressed in writing to the SCIRA Representative

 

 

International Championship:

Unless the Deed of Gift has different prescriptions, these rules should be followed as per the Rules of Conduct, Section 3.3:

 

√	weigh boats,   measure and stamp sails, measure spars (dimensions, weight, center of gravity, stripes and stoppers) rudders (shape, weight position), centerboards (shape, safety line, centerpunch, verticality)
√	randomly verify MOI
√	verify safety equipment
√	fully measure at least one hull of each builder
√	verify SCIRA decal of the year, measurement stickers and sail royalty labels
√	no more than two suits of sails per boat may be measured. It is strongly suggested to use a stamp of the championship. Ensure the proper sail cloth is being used.
√	the same boat and measured equipment must be used throughout entire event
√	petitions for replacement of irreparably damaged equipment shall be addressed in writing to the SCIRA Representative