Jib Cloth

By Giorgio Brezich, Rules Committee Chairman. Dear snipe sailors and sail-makers I need to keep you informed about the important decision taken last year by Board during the official meetings held in Rungsted during the World Championships. The back ground that originated the idea of changing the present rule is due of the fact that I noted that our jibs last for short time when used in regattas sailed in heavy conditions. This was the case of the Junior World sailed before the Board meeting. I supposed the short live is due to the too light weight of the cloth legally employed by the sail-makers as permitted by the current Class rules.

Jib Cloth Image

By Giorgio Brezich, Rules Committee Chairman.

Dear snipe sailors and sail-makers I need to keep you informed about the important decision taken last year by Board during the official meetings held in Rungsted during the World Championships.

The back ground that originated the idea of changing the present rule is due of the fact that I noted that our jibs last for short time when used in regattas sailed in heavy conditions. This was the case of the Junior World sailed before the Board meeting.

I supposed the short live is due to the too light weight of the cloth legally employed by the sail-makers as permitted by the current Class rules.

Several years ago the Board upon the proposal of Rules Committee decided to increase the cloth weight and also adopted the use of laminates hooping to find a way to produce better sails.

The goal was not reached with the laminates as the problems of long lasting sails was not reached.

After an exchange of opinions with Rules Committee members, the sail-makers, and the top sailors attending the Worlds I arranged a proposal that was submitted to the Board attention. Commodore Pesana and the other attendants where sensible to the matter and decided to vote in favour of the adoption of the new weight limits for the fabric employed for the production of jib sails.

The Board decision as per the following extract of the minute was:

Jib Cloth weight increase:

  • Motion by Giorgio Brezich to increase the minimum weight of the jib cloth from 130 grams/sq meter to 160 grams/sq meter and to also have the measurer write the sail number on the jib after measurement for championship regattas.

Motion passed unanimously

So please take note that the new cloth weight limit will be in force beginning January 1st 2013 for all new production. After January 1st 2013 the existing jibs lighter than 160 grams can be used only in regattas up to National Championships level and not longer in the International Championships. After January 1st 2014 the jibs lighter than 160 grams shall not be used at National Championships but only in local regattas.

In the National and International Championship regattas a skipper is allowed to measure two sets of sails (2 mains and 2 jibs) that usually are stamped with a seal of the event. The mains are easily identified by the sail number while for the jib there is no way to do it. For that reason of fairness we decide to ask the measurers to mark the jib with the same sail number of the main. Following this procedures there will be the way to verify all boats shall be use no more than two jibs and two mains.

Happy sailing.

Giorgio Brezich

Rules Committee Chairman

(Photo courtesy of Michele Postinghel – 2007 Worlds – Porto)

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