Notice of Race for Area D South Qualifier

NOTICE OF RACE

AREA   'D' SOUTH QUALIFIER

US SAILING Multihull Championship

for the

Hobie Alter Cup

Gulfport Yacht Club, Gulfport, Florida

November 4 – 5, 2006

1. RULES: This race is governed by the 2005 – 2008 ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions of US SAILING, the US SAILING Multihull Championship Conditions, the class rules of each competitor's boat and the Area D South Qualifier Sailing Instructions. SI's will be available at on-site registration.

2. CLASSES: Racing is open to all catamarans under 22.5 feet in length having a current US SAILING Portsmouth Handicap number. Boats with a provisional Portsmouth handicap (those with brackets [ ] or parenthesis ( ) around their rating) are not eligible to compete.

3. MEASUREMENT: Each team is responsible for ensuring that the boat they sail in this Qualifier is in compliance with its class rules.

4. LOCATION OF RACING, BOAT STORAGE: Racing will be on Lower Boca Ciega Bay south of Gulfport Beach, Florida. Launching and storage of trailers shall be the west end of Gulfport Beach near the Recreation Building, as designated by Park Personnel. This boat and trailer storage is available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the event. Gulfport Yacht Club is available for earlier needs.

5. COURSES: Courses will be chosen from standard multihull courses, as described in the Sailing Instructions. Sailing Instructions available at competitors meeting.

6. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Friday              1700 – 1930   Registration and launching at west Gulfport Beach

Saturday           0900 – 1030    Registration and launching at west Gulfport Beach

                        1100                Competitor's Meeting at Gulfport Beach

                        1200                Warning Signal of first race

Sunday 1000                Warning Signal of first race

                        1500                Last time for Warning Signal of a race

7. REGISTRATION: Cost of registration = $35 singlehanded, $50 doublehanded boats before October 15th, 2006 and after October, 15^th2006 $55 singlehanded, $70 Doublehanded. Pre-registration appreciated for planning purposes. To meet early registration requirements, complete entry form with checks made payable to Gulfport Yacht club are due by October 15, 2006.

Mail entry form and checks to Gulfport Yacht Club P.O.Box 5102 Gulfport, FL 33737-5102.

8. SCORING: The Low-Point Scoring System, RRS Appendix A, will apply. One race constitutes a regatta; up to ten races will be held. A throwout race will be applied after the completion of five races. Current Portsmouth Handicaps will be used for scoring.

9. MEMBERSHIP & INSURANCE: Skipper and crew (if any) must be members of US SAILING. It is the responsibility of each skipper/boat to maintain adequate insurance.

10. DECISIONS OF THE JURY: Decisions of the Jury will not be subject to appeal in accordance with RRS 70.4(a) and (b), contingent upon compliance with Condition 12.1 of the US Multihull Championship Rules.

11. PRIZES: US SAILING medals will be awarded to the top three finishers. The winner not already qualified will pre-qualify for the 2007 US SAILING Multihull Championship for the Alter Cup to be held on the Blade F-16 at Melbourne Yacht Club, Florida in the Spring of 2007.

12. CONTACTS: US Sailing Area D Rep John Williams e-mail john.e.williams@comcast.net

                                Event Chair: Seth Stern e-mail seth.stern@wellsfargo.com