Championship Conditions
1. PURPOSE
a) The purpose of these conditions is to standardize policies and procedures across all US Sailing Championships. See the Terms of Reference for more specifics.
b) Throughout this document, the word “club” is defined to include any yacht club, sailing club, community sailing program or other sailing organization that is an organizational member of a Regional Sailing Association (RSA) or US Sailing.
c) The National Chair or their designee acts as the Organizing Authority for the event and represents US Sailing.
2. ELIGIBILITY (See US Sailing Regulation 2)
a) Each member of a team shall be an individual member of US Sailing or if non-members may compete, a member of their MNA. Individual championships may have additional requirements which must be listed on their conditions.
b) Each host shall be an organizational member of US Sailing. This applies to semi-finals as well as finals.
c) Each class of boat shall be an organizational member of US Sailing.
3. THE NATIONAL CHAIR FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP’S RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY
a) Does not act as the Organizing Authority if the championship is hosted at their home club. In the event the National Chair is a member of the host club, a member of the committee or another individual must be delegated to assume the role for the planning and execution of the championship for that year.
b) Ensures that the regattas, including feeder, semi final and final events are being run under the US Sailing Board-approved conditions and regulations laid out for the championships.
c) Does not compete in the championship.
d) Intervenes if the organization and/or execution of the National Final Series are in jeopardy.
e) Appoints the Committee, this includes Area Representatives and Members at Large. Final approval of the committee is by the US Sailing Board.
f) Does not act as a judge, umpire or member of the Race Committee.
g) Has sole responsibility for choosing judges and ensuring the PRO has the appropriate certification.
i. The Chief Judge must be a senior or international judge – no exceptions.
ii. Approves the selection of the PRO – Regional or National Certification only. No exceptions.
h) Receives, evaluates bids, and proposes future host clubs to their committee.
i) Oversees the awarding of the Championship trophies and monitors their care and condition.
j) Writes the Notice of Race and approves the Sailing Instructions in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing.
k) Posts Notice of Race by January 31st for elimination events, Posts no later than March 1st for invitational events.
l) Develops or amends Conditions as needed in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing.
m) Supports the host club's event chair.
n) Attends the championship. (see (a) above for exceptions.)
o) Returns US Sailing merchandise, banners, burgees and trophies.
p) Writes final report on status of championship to bring to the AGM.
q) Attends the AGM and any teleconferences and posts minutes in a timely manner.
4. TERM LIMITS
a) All members of Championship Committee serve a three year term. No more than two consecutive terms can be served.
b) Championship Chairs are appointed by the President of US Sailing serve one year terms. No more than four consecutive terms may be served.
5. CREW CHANGES
a) Once a team’s entry is accepted in any Area Semi-Final or in the Championship, there may not be any substitution for members of the team except as provided below. Individual championships may have additional requirements which must be listed on their conditions.
i. Substitution of a team member after the semi-final or acceptance in a championship can be requested for medical reasons or death in the family. Exceptions may be made for unexpected work/ school conflicts. Supporting documentation may be requested.
ii. All substitutions must be adequately explained by the qualified helmsman and accepted by the Organizing Authority.
iii. In the event that the substitution is not approved, the next team in line will be accepted.
b) When an event is in progress:
i. If a sailor cannot continue due to sickness, accident or other emergency, a replacement sailor may, with the approval of the Organizing Authority, be substituted for one or more of the races.
ii. If the event is a qualifier for the national championship, the substitution would be permanent for the team moving forward.
iii. The substituted sailor must be eligible to compete and must be of a very close approximate weight to the substituted sailor. The representative of the Organizing Authority, normally the National Chair, will have the sole responsibility for determining if the reason for the substitution and the proposed sailor are acceptable.
6. US SAILING REGULATIONS
All Championships must follow the US Sailing Regulations. Regulations 2 and 10 are specific to the Championships but others apply.
Revision January 2012