SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Rules

1. Racing will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2025-2028, the Windsurfer Class rules, the Notice of Race, and these Sailing Instructions.
2. In the event of a conflict, these Sailing Instructions shall take precedence over the Notice of Race.

2. Notices to Competitors

3. Notices to competitors will be communicated verbally at the competitors briefing and/or via the Windsurfer LT Canberra WhatsApp group.

3. Schedule of Races

4. Time	Saturday 3 April	Sunday 4 April
   10:30	Competitors briefing	Competitors briefing
   ~11:00	Race 1	Race 3
   Afternoon	Race 2	Race 4

5. Up to 4 races are scheduled. Race times may be adjusted depending on wind conditions.
6. No race will start after 16:00 on either day.

4. The Course

7. The course for each race will be described at the competitors briefing. Courses will be marathon-style circuits around landmarks on Lake Burley Griffin.
8. Course maps will be available on the event page at wstracker.org/events/CapitalCup2027.
9. Marks of the course will be designated landmarks or existing navigation buoys as described at the briefing.
10. All marks shall be rounded to port (left) unless stated otherwise at the briefing on on the course maps.

5. The Start

11. Competitors will meet at the Canberra Yacht Club (CYC) for the start of each race. The starting area will be near the CYC, as described at the competitors briefing.
12. Starting procedure:
    1. All competitors shall be in the water near the start area with sails down.
    2. On a single whistle blast: raise your sail and go. This changes RRS 26.
13. Competitors who are not in position at the start signal may start at any time but will not receive any time adjustment.

6. The Finish

14. The finish will be at a location described at the competitors briefing, typically near the starting area.
15. Finishing times will be recorded by GPS tracker and/or visual observation by the race committee.

7. Time Limit

16. The time limit for each race will be announced at the competitors briefing. A race that is not completed within the time limit may be shortened or abandoned at the discretion of the race committee.

8. Protests and Penalties

17. The 720-degree turns penalty (RRS 44.2) shall apply.
18. Protests shall be lodged verbally with the race committee within 15 minutes of finishing. Given the informal nature of this event, the race committee will attempt to resolve disputes on the water or on shore without a formal hearing where possible.

9. Scoring

19. The Low Point scoring system of RRS Appendix A will apply.
20. Each competitor's best 2 results will count; their 2 worst results will be discarded. If fewer than 3 races are completed, no results will be discarded.
21. One race is required to be completed to constitute a series.

10. GPS Tracking

22. GPS trackers will be supplied to competitors before racing. Trackers must be carried for the duration of each race and returned after racing.
23. Competitors may additionally use their own phone with the Windsurfer Tracker app (see wstracker.org).
24. GPS track data may be used to assist with scoring and to verify course completion.

11. Safety

25. All competitors shall wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the water.
26. A competitor who retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as practicable.
27. The race committee may shorten or abandon a race at any time if conditions are deemed unsafe.
28. Competitors should check current water quality at https://lbgweather.au before racing.

12. Radio Communication

29. The race committee will monitor VHF channel 16 and the Windsurfer LT Canberra WhatsApp group during racing.

13. Disclaimer of Liability

30. Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. The organising authority, race committee, and sponsors accept no liability for damage to property or injury to persons arising from participation in this event.
31. It is the sole responsibility of each competitor to decide whether to start or continue racing.