Perpetual Trophies:

Class Divisions: Starts will be provided for two classes, Spinnaker and Non- Spinnaker.

Class Identification: All competitors must display the proper Class Code Flag at the stern, approximately five feet up the backstay if available. The call flags are as follows:

All competing boats are urged to identify themselves as WRSC members by displaying the WRSC burgee above the Class Flag.

Racing Rules: All races will be governed by the US Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing, 2005-2008, except as modified by these General Instructions. Special instructions for the race (often found in the "NOR", Notice of Race) will take precedence over General Instructions.

Starting and Finishing Areas: All yachts not starting shall keep clear of the line when starting yachts are maneuvering prior to their starting signal. After finishing, each yacht must clear the finish line and must not re-cross it.

Postponement: When hoisted the Answering Pennant "AP" (red and white vertical stripes) signifies that "All races not yet started are postponed. Two guns or other sound signal accompany the raising of "AP". Attention to lowering this signal will be called by one gun or other sound signal. One minute later, one sound signal will be made and a new WARNING signal (class flage) will be hoisted, starting a new sequence.

Start: The special race instructions for each race identify the starting area. The start will always be between a yellow flag on the Committee Boat and a nearby government or dropped mark.

Premature Starters: Yachts making a premature start will be given a blast of a horn and will, if possible, be hailed. The Code Flag "X" (blue cross on a white field) will be hoisted until the yacht has returned to the pre-start side of the line or its extensions. Each yacht, is responsible to make a proper start, whether it receives notification or not.

General Recall: When hoisted, the First Substitute Code Flag (yellow triangle on a blue triangle) signifies that "The last class is recalled for a fresh start as provided in the sailing instructions." Two guns or other sound signal accompany this flag signal. One gun or other sound signal will be made to lower this flag signal. The WARNING signal will be hoisted one minute after this signal is lowered. One gun or other sound signal accompanies the hoisting of the WARNING signal. All classes not yet started will start in the same sequence as indicated in the Special Sailing Instructions.

Finish: The finish line shall be between yellow flag on the Committee Boat and a nearby government or dropped mark as indicated in the special sailing directions for each race. Note that the correct way to finish is always in the course direction from the last turning mark.

Courses: Courses are described in the special sailing instruction for each event. Note that the Committee Boat is not a mark of the course except at the start and finish.

Marks to Honor: The following marks must be passed on the channel side.

Change of Course while Racing: When hoisted at or near a rounding mark, Code Flag "C" (blue over white over red over white over blue horizontal stripes) signifies that "After rounding this mark, the course to the next mark has been changed. The new course will be displayed on a placard by the committee boat or other official boat. Repetitive sound signals will be employed to call attention to the course change.

Shorten Course: When hoisted, Code Flag "S" (blue square on a white field) signifies that all yachts shall "Finish between the race Committee Boat and nearby mark in the direction from the last mark. Two guns or other sound signal will be used to attract attention to the flag signal.

Committee Boat: Different committee boats may be used for the start and finish of rendezvous races. If the Committee Boat is not on station at the finish, each skipper shall take his own time when close aboard (within three to four boat lengths) and abeam the finish mark. In addition, the first yacht is requested to also take the finish times of each yacht until the Committee Boat arrives or all yachts have finished.

Withdrawals: Please notify the Race committee of any withdrawal as soon as possible.

Abandonment
(a) When hoisted, Code Flag "N" (blue and white checkerboard) signifies that "All races, including those in progress, are abandoned and that further signals will be made in the starting area. This signal can now be used either before of after the starting signal. Three guns or other sound signals accompany this flag signal.

(b) When hoisted, Code Flag "N" over Code Flag "H" (red and white vertical bands) signifies "All races are abandoned. Further signals will be made ashore.

Protests: Protests must be filed in writing in accordance with the IYRU Yacht Racing Rules on a Protest Form and must include by number the IYRU rule violated. A complete protest form must be presented to the race committee within 1hr of the race committee's arrival at the Club dock. The protest hearing will commence within one hour of the filing at the WRSC Clubhouse unless postponed by the Protest Committee. If the skipper of the protesting yacht, or his representative, fails to appear at the scheduled meeting, the protest will be disallowed.

Penalties: Disqualified boats or boats which did not finish will receive 0 points.

Appeals: Decisions of the Protest Committee on the intra-club races are appealable to the Executive Board of the WRSC, which is the authorizing body of all intra-club sailing activities.

Handicap Ratings: All racing yachts will race under ratings that are derived from the PHRF of the Chesapeake, Inc. time on distance allowance. It is not required, but does simplify things, if entering yachts have a valid PHRF certificate. They can be obtained by joining PHRF of the Chesapeake, Inc. for $30. (See Dick Zimmerman, 301-261-9040 for information.) Without a PHRF certificate, a sister ship time allowance will be assigned by the Big Boat Fleet Measurer based on a rated sister ship in the PHRF of the Chesapeake, Inc. or PHRF of another region. Otherwise, the Fleet Measurer will assign a rating based on comparable yachts.

Race Scoring: For each race one point will be awarded for each yacht defeated. One point will be awarded to each boat particpating in the CBYRA races hosted by WRSC (Twilight Race, Poplar Island CBYRA Race)

Safety Equipment: All yachts should comply with the standard established by PHRF for safety and equipment, Category 4P races.

Crew Limits: There will be no limits to the number of crew for WRSC races.

Commercial Shipping: Participating yachts are reminded of the requirement to give right-of-way to commercial shipping in restricted shipping channels where maneuverability of large ships is limited. A yacht becalmed or otherwise unable to maneuver clear of commercial shipping in such circumstances may utilize her engine to keep clear, without penalty, provided such use of the engine is deemed necessary from the stand point of safety, and movement along the direction of the race course is avoided or the engine's use does not otherwise result in the improvement of the yacht's position. The complete circumstances of such engine use shall be reported in writing to the race committee within 2 hours of the final boat finishing.