URGENT ATTENTION

The Airlie Beach Race Week Organising Committee advises that we have now exhausted all known berths and moorings available for visiting yachts.  As such, it is the responsibility of boats who still wish to enter this year’s event to source their own berthing arrangements prior to completing their entry.  We are currently maintaining a waiting list, and will continue to endeavour to source berthing opportunities, but are unable to guarantee a berth.

Please note this does not effect local boats who have permanent berthing,  Trailable Yachts, Sports Boats or Off the Beach classes who can dry store during the regatta and do not require berthing.

We apologise for this situation, however availability of berths in Airlie Beach is limited, with both marinas claiming record bookings for 2023.

For boats already entered, please email berthing@whitsundaysailingclub.com.au or phone 0419 775 282 for further information.

Download the 2023 ABRW Notice of Race

NOTICE-OF-RACE

35^th Airlie Beach Race Week 2023

10^th – 17^th AUGUST 2023

AIRLIE BEACH, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

PLEASE NOTE: MARINA BERTHING IS VERY LIMITED.  A CAP OF 100 YACHTS / MULTIHULLS WILL BE APPLIED THIS YEAR.

(Does not apply to Trailable Yachts / Sports Boats / OTB boats or boats who can be stored out of the water each day)

A separate Notice of Race for the Queensland Trailable Yacht and Sportsboat Championship can be found at https://abrw.com.au/queensland-trailable-yacht-championship

Amendments to this Notice of Race will be published on the regatta On Line noticeboard on the event web site (www.abrw.com.au)

1   Invitation

Owners and charterers of suitably found boats are invited to apply for entry in the 35^th Annual Airlie Beach Race Week, on the waters of Pioneer Bay and the Whitsunday Passage from 10^th to 17^th August 2023.  The organising authority is the Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC).

2   Rules

2.1       The regatta will be governed by:

• The rules as defined by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of World Sailing (WS) and the Prescriptions of Australian Sailing (AS)
• The Australian Sailing (AS) Special Regulations Part 1 or 2 (as applicable)
• The current class rules of one design classes.
• For boats entered in the Sports Boat Class, the Australian Sports Boat Association rules will apply.
• For boats entered in IRC Passage Class, the 2023 IRC Rule (Parts A, B and C) will apply.
• For boats entered in ORC Passage Class, the current ORC rules will apply.
• For boats entered in Multi-Hull racing Class the Offshore Multi-Hull Rule (OMR) will apply.
• For boats entered in off beach classes, the relevant class rules will apply.

2.2       [NP] Backstay pennants and regatta hull stickers may be provided by the organizers, and, if supplied shall be displayed by each competing boat throughout Airlie Beach Race Week 2023.

2.3       Each boat, with the exception of the WETA 4.4 Trimaran, shall be crewed by at least two persons over the age of 19.

2.4       Attention is drawn to the RRS Part 1 and to Fundamental Rules 3 and 4.

2.5       Boats may be hauled out and stored on road trailers overnight between races.  Launching ramps may be available at Port of Airlie, Coral Sea Marina, Whisper Bay (Whitsunday VMR) or limited availability at Whitsunday Sailing Club.  The launching ramp at Whitsunday Sailing Club will be available for Off the Beach classes.

2.6       Boats not racing in an IRC Class shall request permission from the Race Committee to use movable and/or variable ballast for the purpose of increasing stability. Any such request must be accompanied by full details of the system involved, and any such system will be considered in establishing the yacht’s handicap. Stored power may be used for the operation of movable ballast systems. Rules 51 and 52 are modified to the extent required by this paragraph.

2.7       One-Design boats shall comply with their class rules at all times whilst racing in IRC, OMR and One Design Classes unless these have been modified by the class association.

2.8       A boat chartered or on loan may carry national letters or sail numbers in contravention of her class rules.  A yacht without identification numbers on the main and headsail and spinnaker shall display bow numbers on each side of the hull, placed no more than one metre from the bow, for the duration of the event.  This amends RRS 77.  Bow numbers may be available at registration.

2.9       Except as detailed in NoR paragraph 2.3 and 2.7, there will be no restrictions on crew numbers or crew changes during the Regatta.

2.10     For the purpose of IRC Rules 21.1.5 (d) and (e) this regatta is on consecutive days and the sails carried shall remain the same.

2.11     RRS 55 is amended adding the following sentence to the rule: ‘However, discarding cotton, wool or any other biodegradable material when setting a sail is permitted.

2.12     The intention is to appoint a National Jury in accordance with RRS 70.5 and Australian Sailing prescriptions thereto.

3   Safety

3.1       This regatta is classified as Category “5” (AS Special Regulations, Part 1).  For Off the Beach classes, the Australian Sailing Special Regulations Part 2 (Off the Beach Boats) and prescriptions shall apply.

3.2       Boats shall additionally carry a VHF radio in accordance with AS Special Regulations Part 1, clause 3.25.

3.3       All boats other than Off the Beach classes shall carry sufficient fuel at the start of each race for four hours of motoring. The race committee may inspect any yacht at any time for compliance with safety regulations.

3.4       In addition to daily reporting requirements, boats will be required to submit a daily crew list

4   Classes and Eligibility

4.1       Racing will be provided in the following classes subject to at least five entries being accepted in that class. The organising authority may alter, amalgamate or divide any class or may add classes as required.  Should there be insufficient entries to form a particular class; boats entered for that class may be allocated to another class at the discretion of the Race Committee.

4.2       The RC reserves the right to adjust the eligibility criteria and/or reallocation of boats in the interests of fair competition. The determination of eligibility criteria and the allocation of boats to particular classes or divisions shall not be grounds for protest or redress. This alters RRS 62.1(a).

4.3       Boats with dual IRC and ORC (ORCi or ORCclub) certificates may enter both divisions (additional race entry fee applies).

4.4       Boats in IRC / ORC Passage, Performance Racing, Performance Cruising, Non Spinnaker or Multihull Racing who wish to enter as a short handed entrant may be eligible for additional prize (subject to entries).

4.5       Classes

i) Rating Passage will have current IRC or ORC (or both) certificate.

a) IRC Passage Class will have a current (2023) IRC certificate with a TCC of 0.95 or greater. The Race Committee may amend this limit if required.  Racing will be conducted under the 2023 IRC rule; parts A, B and C will apply. Races may include a combination of passage races and Windward / Leeward courses.

b) ORC Passage Class will have a current ORC (ORCi or ORCclub) certificate. Races may include a combination of passage races and Windward / Leeward courses.

ii) One Design Classes with a minimum of 5 boats, may apply for a separate One Design class. Boats shall comply with the rules of the One Design class.

iii) Performance Racing Class will be boats of less than 30 m LOA and will be allocated handicaps by the Handicap Committee. Handicaps may be revised between races.  Races will include a combination of passage races and Windward / Leeward courses.

iv) Performance Cruising shall be fitted out to comfortable cruising standards but may have performance enhancing items such as modern exotic construction sails. Boats will be allocated handicaps by the Handicap Committee. Handicaps will be revised between races.  Races will be mainly passage races.  Performance enhancing items may be taken into consideration when allocating handicaps.

v) Non–Spinnaker Class will have the same requirements as for Performance Cruising Class, but shall sail with a main and jib only. A jib is defined as a headsail with the entire luff of the sail attached along the headstay, and mid girth less than 75% of foot length. A reaching strut/whisker pole may be used with one end attached to the mast in accordance with RRS 50.2. Boats will be allocated handicaps by the Handicap Committee. Handicaps will be revised between races.  Races will be mainly passage races.

vi) Trailable Yachts & Sports Boats Class (PHS) will be yachts that are able to be trailed, launched and retrieved on a road-legal trailer. Boats will be allocated handicaps by the Handicap Committee based on a boat’s CBH. Handicaps may be revised between races.  Races will include a combination of passage races and Windward / Leeward courses.

vii) Trailable Yachts & Sports Boats Class (CBH) will be yachts as above that comply with The Australian Sailing Class Based Handicap (CBH) system as detailed at https://www.sailingresources.org.au/cbh-rating/.  Boats in this division will be eligible to compete in the Queensland Trailable Yacht and Sports Boat Championship as detailed in separate Notice of Race. Boats must be measured and allocated a CBH prior to the first race.  Races will include a combination of passage races and Windward / Leeward courses.

viii) Multi-Hull Racing Class will be Multi-Hull boats and shall have a current Offshore Multihull Rule (OMR) rating greater than 0.700.  Races will include a combination of passage races and Windward / Leeward courses.

ix) Multi-Hull Passage Class Boats will be allocated handicaps by the Handicap Committee. Handicaps will be revised between races. Races will be mainly passage races.

x) WETA 4.4 Trimaran Class will compete as a One Design class and will sail under their class rules. Races will be conducted within Pioneer Bay.

xi) Off Beach Multihull boats that comply with either the Formula 16 Catamaran rules or the Formula 18 Catamaran rules will compete as a separate division with results calculated using Australian Sailing yardstick or Scratch.

xii) Off the Beach Classes – Eligible Off the Beach classes will compete using Australian Sailing yardstick or as One Design classes subject to entries.

4.6       More information on the type of racing offered in the above divisions can be found under the “Divisions” tab on the event website.

5   Entry

5.1       Eligible boats shall enter on-line and pay the race entry fee in full.  To enter the regatta visit:  https://www.abrw.com.au

5.2       All crew members sailing in the regatta will be required to be registered with the organising authority.  Crew members who do not have an Australian Sailing number will be required to register via SailPass, (https://www.revolutionise.com.au/whitsundaysc/registration/) and will be issued with a regatta pass.  This pass will be required for access to Whitsunday Sailing Club and regatta social events.  Refer also to Australian Sailing prescription to RRS 46.

5.3       All One-Design classes will provide a current One-Design certificate and owner’s declarations as required by the class rules, no later than at registration on 10^th August 2023.

5.4       No changes to IRC or ORC Certificates will be permitted after 1700 hrs, Thursday 10^th August 2023 except as a result of a rating protest or to correct a Rating office error.

5.5       All boats entering in divisions handicapped by performance-based handicaps, shall supply, as part of their entry, suitable information to allow the Handicap Committee to allocate a starting handicap.  This may be by way of a suitable photo of the entered yacht. Information can be uploaded to SailSys entry portal via the entry system.

6   Entry Fees*

6.1       The entry fee for all boats: –

6.2       * Please note – The Entry Fee does not include berthing.  Entrants will need to make their own arrangements for berthing early as berthing may be very limited in both marinas (see NoR 14).

6.4       Note that entry fees include results under one rating, boats racing in the Rating Passage division holding both current IRC and ORC certificates wishing to race under both will pay an additional $200 for both IRC and ORC results.

7   Registration and Schedule of Races

7.1       The detailed race schedules and courses will be displayed on the web site, and will be described in the Sailing Instructions. Charts AUS 825 & AUS 252 cover the racing area.

7.2       The racing format will be a combination of round-the-buoys racing in Pioneer Bay, and passage races in Pioneer Bay and through the Whitsunday Passages. Multiple races may be held on some days.

7.4       All boats shall register at regatta headquarters, Whitsunday Sailing Club, on Thursday 10^th August 2023 between 1000hrs and 1630hrs. A competitors’ meeting will be conducted at regatta headquarters at 1700 hrs Thursday 10^th August 2023.

7.5       The first race will start no earlier than 1000hrs on Friday 11^th August 2023.

7.6       A Lay Day is scheduled for Monday 14^th August 2023. The Race Committee reserves the right to change the schedule to include racing on Monday 14^th August if deemed necessary.

7.7       The last race of the series is scheduled for the morning of Thursday 17^th August 2023. No race will be started later than 1300hrs on Thursday 17^th August 2023.

7.8       The awards presentation will be held at Whitsunday Sailing Club as soon as practicable after the last race of the regatta.

7.9       The Race Committee may make changes to the schedule at any time, including using the lay day should it be considered necessary.

8   Ratings and Handicaps

8.1       Boats will be rated or handicapped as shown below.

8.2       The Race Committee intend to have provisional handicaps for the first race of the series posted on the event web site and the Official Notice Board by 1700hrs Tuesday 8^th August 2023. The independent Handicap Committee may consider applications relating to initial performance-based handicaps if made in writing with supporting documentation during registration.  Any such application must be received no later than 1700 Hrs Thursday 10^th August 2023.

8.3       EHC handicaps will be determined by the Handicap Committee, and may be adjusted between races.  The decisions taken by the Handicap Committee are final and will not be subject to requests for redress.

9   Sailing Instructions

9.1       It is the intention of the race committee for the Sailing Instructions to be posted on the event web site by Monday 7^th August 2023

10 Scoring

10.1     Two races are required to be completed to constitute a series.

10.2     When fewer than 5 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores.

10.3     When 5 or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

11 Insurance and Liability Risk

11.1           By lodging an entry, the owner/charterer agrees that: –

11.1.1  it is a fundamental condition of entry that he, she or it releases, holds harmless and indemnifies WSC and its associates, its office bearers, servants, agents and members and the sponsors of Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 from all liability any of those persons has to the owner/charterer or any crew member on the owner/charterer’s yacht, or to any person claiming through or under any such person arising from loss or damage how so ever caused, including negligent act or omission, arising out of or relating to: participation by the owner/charterer’s yacht or any other yacht in a race; the conduct or course of the race in any respect including, without limitation, any act or omission (whether reasonably foreseeable or not) causing or relating to loss of or damage to any yacht or the death or injury of any person; or any of the matters referred to in the paragraphs above;

11.1.2  participation by the yacht and by the crew in Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 is agreed by organising authority on the basis that participation is entirely at the risk of the owner/charterer and each member of the crew on the owner/charterer’s yacht.

11.1.3  the owner/charterer will provide each crew member or proposed crew member with a copy of these Conditions of Entry.

11.1.4  It is a condition of entry that competitors participate in this regatta entirely at their own risk (see RRS 4 Decision to Race), and that each boat shall carry public liability insurance, with a sum insured of at least AUD10,000,000 or the foreign currency equivalent.

11.1.5  All those taking part in these races are reminded of their obligations as set out in AS Special Regulations Clause 1.02 “Owner’s Responsibility”.

12 Advertising

12.1     The Race Committee may reject any advertising that may conflict with the interests of the sponsors of the event.

13 Trophies

13.1     Prizes or trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd on corrected times in each class or division or 1st, 2nd and 3rd for One Design Classes.
Trophies will be awarded for the overall point score winners in each class or division.
Prizes for each day’s racing will be presented as soon as practicable after racing each day.

14 Yacht Berthing Arrangements

14.1     Entered boats requiring berthing need to make their own arrangements.  Demand for berths at both Abell Point and Port of Airlie Marinas is at a premium in August.

Berthing enquiries should, in the first instance, be directed to:

Email: berthing@whitsundaysailingclub.com.au

Contact details for the local marinas:

Coral Sea Marina                                                         Port of Airlie Marina

Ph: 07 4946 2400                                                        Ph: 1800 676 526

Website: www.coralseamarina.com.au                   www.portofairlie.com.au

14.2     It is a condition of entry to Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 that boats moor in accordance with the directions of relevant marina or mooring management.

15 Accommodation Bookings

15.1     Bookings for accommodation are recommended through the organisations listed under the “Accommodation” tab on the event web site.

Further Information:  Email: info@abrw.com.au

ENTER AIRLIE BEACH RACE WEEK NOW