The 'SAS' in videos

The 2010 edition of the 'S.A.S' in videos. Starts, Arrivals, atmosphere, price givingS... Everything is there!

Les Sables - Les Açores - Les Sables en videos

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The gold mine of the Minis

Looking for info on a boat? Who won a race? You do not know when or who was on the boat or in what year?

The site Histoire des Halfs lists information on all offshore sailing boats. Check out this gold mine, it's worth the trip!

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Mini atmosphere

Some videos of mini races, the atmosphere and arrivals at dock ...

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Special rules for events - 2010 edition

This section includes all the rules that can change from one race to another, according to the lenght of the race

FOREWORD

The ongoing ISAF rules apply (RRS, categories 1 to 5 of ERS and OSR). These rules are changed such as follows:

- RRS (Racing Rules of Sailing), R-50.3(a), R-51 and R-54: do not apply,

- OSR 3.29.n: “AIS transponder” will not be compulsory before January, 1st 2012,

- OSR 4.05.4: a B34 type fire extinguisher is enough (see article E-9),

- OSR 4.22.1: only one lifebuoy is compulsory (see article E-9).

E-1 - CONFIGURATION

Boats must stay within their original configuration at the start of the race (spars, appendages, structure, sails plan) for the entire event. Some of the equipment may be sealed. Competitors are responsible for the proper handling of the seals and the reliability of the fixing points used for the sealed equipments. Penalty can be given for any broken seal.

E-2 - LIFERAFT

E-2-a A self-inflatable liferaft complying with ISO 9650-1 standard or Class V (only if first assigned before January, 1st 2007).

E-2-b For A level races, last service of Class V liferafts must be less than 6 months old, the day of the start of the race. That is to say, February, 1st 2010 the sooner for the 2010 race of Les Sables - Les Açores - Les Sables.

E-2-c The packaging of the liferaft must be equipped with a reflective strip.

E-2-d It must have a valid certificate covering the entire event (date the finishing line is closed).

E-2-e It must be accessible whatever the position of the boat, from inside and from outside for the boats with a safety hatch. It must be possible to take it out of the boat through the safety hatch as well as from the companionway. The skipper can be asked for a demonstration.

E-2-f The liferaft must be securely fastened.

E-2-f-1 Inside, at 15 cm maximum from the transom for boats fitted with a safety hatch (see J-9). The liferaft must be guided above, below and both sides so that there is no interference along its way during the launching through the safety hatch.

E-2-f-2 Outside, for all the boats built before January, 1st 1995 that did not install a waterproof hatch on the transom, on the border of the transom, free from all obstacles.

E-2-f-3 The liferaft fastening shall be quickly releasable using just one hand.

E-2-f-4 The skipper must prove during a test that the liferaft can be launched within 15 seconds.(OSR chapter 4.20.4.a).

E-2-g The strap which inflates the liferaft must be fixed properly to the boat.

E-2-h The Organizer can seal the liferaft at the start of the race.

E-2-i At least one floating knife must be situated close to the liferaft.

E-3 - SURVIVAL CONTAINER

E-3-a A dedicated waterproof and rigid container, equipped with a minimum 4 m long rope having on the free end a handle or a snaphook. This container must be marked SURVIVAL, with the boat number and must have a reflective strip. It must contain the security equipment defined in the paragraph E-9.

E-3-b The survival container may be sealed before the start after an inventory check and must arrive intact at the end of each event.

E-3-c The survival container must pass through the safety hatch.

E-4 - SURVIVAL WATER CONTAINER

E-4-a 9 litres of fresh water, suitable for drinking, in a 10 litres drinking water container, equipped with a minimum 4 m long rope having on the free end a handle or a snaphook. This container must be marked SURVIVAL, with the boat number and must have a reflective strip.

E-4-a-1 This container may be sealed at the start.

E-4-b The container, defined in E-4-a, can be replaced with 9 litres of survival water in bags stocked in a specific sealed container equipped with a minimum 4 m long rope having on the free end a handle or a snaphook. This container must be marked SURVIVAL, with the boat number and must have a reflective strip. They can also be 

stocked in the survival container.

E-5 - EPIRB

E-5-a The 406 Mhz and 121.5 Mhz Sarsat-Cospas EPIRB's autonomy (see E-9) must be of at least 48 hours at a temperature lower than 20°C. The MMSI number is to be asked to the authority of the boat’s flag (list at www.itu.int).

E-5-b It must be fixed so as to be accessible both from inside and outside the boat.

E-5-c A knife must be positioned within immediate reach.

E-5-d The EPIRB must be coded for the ongoing year in the name of the boat and the owner. The epirb cannot be transferred from another boat or to another boat without adapting the MMSI number.

E-5-e The EPIRB and the batteries must be valid for the duration of the event.

E-6 - WHITE FLARES

E-6-a Two white signal hand flares are compulsory.

E-6-b They must be stored near the hatchway and be accessible both from inside and outside the boat.

E-7 - SURVIVAL SUIT

A waterproof, survival suit with thermal protection in accordance with at least the standard ISO 15027-1, category A, guaranteeing a minimal thermal protection of 0,75 clo immerged. These specifications must be indicated on the Manufacturer’s label.

E-8 - RADAR REFLECTOR

A radar reflector with the lowest point at least 4 metres above the sea level shall be provided.

A passive Radar Reflector (i.e., a Radar Reflector that needs no power to operate) shall be provided. If a radar reflector is octahedral it must have a minimum diagonal measurement of 456 mm, or if not octahedral must have a documented RCS (radar cross-section) of not less than 10 m².

E-9 - COMPULSORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT

See enclosed document

E-10 - FIRST AID KIT

E-10-a One of the two types of first aid kit shall be provided: one for a distance up to 200 NM from a shelter and the other one beyond 200 NM. (see the listing in Appendix C).

E-10-b The first aid kit may be sealed between the check and the start of the event. Its contents must be complete at the start of each leg.

E-11 - RADIO

E-11-a Each boat must be equipped with a permanently installed VHF radio with a transmitting power of 25 watts (manufacturer specifications).

E-11-a-1 The real power must be at least 15 watts (as measured during the safety controls).

E-11-a-2 The antenna with the wire must be at least 95cm long and fixed at the mast head and the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) must be lower than 1,3.

E-11-a-3 The co-axial feeder cable of the antenna must not generate more than 40 % power loss.

E-11-a-4 The diameter of the antenna cable must not be less than 4 mm.

E-11-a-5 An emergency antenna is required (a long antenna is recommended because they carry better).

E-11-b Any kind of radio assistance to participants is prohibited except for medical purpose.

E-11-c All radio communications must be in plain language.

Note : AIS receiver, even integrated to the VHF are forbidden.

E-12 - ELECTRICAL POWER

E-12-a Electrical power is provided by one or more batteries with a minimum total storage capacity of 200 amp/hours at 12 Volts.

E-12-a-1 The batteries must be waterproof. Waterproof means that the acid does not leak immediately when the battery is laid down.

E-12-a-2 They must be fixed and stay in place regardless of heel angle for the whole event.

E-12-a-3 They can be sealed at the start of the race.

E-12-b The system to recharge the batteries required in E-9 must be operational. It can use either wind, water, sun or fuel power.

E-12-c Generators must be equipped with an exhaust outside the cabin or must be usable outside the cabin.

E-12-d Fuel cells and their tanks must be fixed to the boat.

E-12-d-1 They must be set up and used strictly in compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations (ventilation, handling of the fuel, maximum temperature, protection...).

E-12-e Fuel containers must be clearly identified and marked FUEL.

E-13 - ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

In addition to safety equipment (see E-9), only the following electronic equipment are allowed:

• Autopilot

- gyropilot computer,

- activator,

- keel angle sensor,

- gyrometer 1 axis,

- controller,

- remote control.

• Navigation central

- display,

- electronic magnetic compass,

- log-speedo,

- depth sounder,

- anemometer windvane system,

- mast rotation sensor (protos only),

- data input or output interface,

- thermometer,

- gyropilot computer that does not allow the automatic use of the correction tables.

• Collision avoidance

- radar transponder,

- radar detector,

- AIS transponder that does not allow a skipper to track another competitor through a terminal, VHF or any other system.

• Positioning

- GPS withoup maps,

- tracker provided by the organizer.

• Communication

- handheld VHFtransmitter and receiver,

- satellite audio broadcasting receiver.

• Image and sound

- equipment for exclusive use of sound emission, sound or video recording, sound or video storage, photography.

• Miscellaneous

- lights,

- charge controller,

- battery charger,

- battery monitor,

- electronic barometer,

- calculator,

- timer,

- actimeter,

- navigation data loggers (datas must not be exploitable directly aboard),

- personal EPIRB encoded (has to be mentioned to the Classe Mini secretary).

Guidance Note: It is clearly specified that cell phone, satellite phone, laptop... are forbidden.

E-14 - BOWSPRITS

Bowsprits and their associated hardware must stay folded on starboard within the beam limit of the boat (3 metres maximum) or dismounted during the race start procedure. If such is the case, they must be clearly identified with a fluorescent mark on their extremity.

E-15 - DRINKING RESERVES

E-15-a Mandatory drinking water

E-15-a-1 For A, B and C level races, each boat must load a drinking water reserves per table "Loaded Volumes".

E-15-a-2 This water reserve shall be contained completely in one or more containers of 5 to 20 litres. These containers must be strong enough to resist any impact inside the boat and must be hermetically closed by reusable caps. Their complete capacity must not exceed the volume defined in the table "Loaded Volumes".

E-15-a-3 Means to decant that can be used on each drinking water container shall be provided.

E-15-a-4 When there are several legs with different lengths in a race, the excess containers necessary to comply with the rule E-15-a in the longest leg must be loaded empty and sealed during the other legs.

E-15-b Optional drinking reserves

E-15-b-1 For A, B and C level races, each boat can load at the start of each leg an optional drinking reserve.

This drinking reserve volume is defined in the table "Loaded Volumes".

E-15-b-2 These optional drinking reserves must be packaged in bottles of maximum 2 litres.

E-15-c On board controls

E-15-c-1 Containers' contents and seals (if any) can be checked at any time from 24 hours before the start and at the arrival, until favourable notice of the measurer.

E-15-c-2 The volumes aboard can be checked at any time from 24 hours before the start and until the warning signal (measurement and/or safety checks).

E-15-c-3 In case of infraction, penalties can be applied.

Guidance note: the contents indicated on the containers by the makers are evidence.

E-15-d For D level races, the reserves must be packaged in bottles of maximum 2 litres. Their total volume is free.

Containers with a higher capacity are forbidden aboard.

E-15-e Emergency water-makers are allowed provided they are disclosed to the Race Committee and sealed.

Length of the leg as specified in the SI’s (NM) / 

Mandatory volume in containers (E-15-a) / Authorized volume in bottles (E-15-b) 

Loaded volumes in Litres

Single-handed race

From 0 to 500 20 / 10

From 501 to 100  40 / 10

From 1001 to 1500 60 / 15

From 1501 to 2000 80 / 20

From 2001 to 2500 100 / 25

From 2501 to 3000 120 / 30

From 3001 to 3500 140 / 35

Double-handed race

From 0 to 250 20 / 10

From 251 to 500 40 / 10

From 501 to 750 60 / 15

From 751 to 1000 80 / 20

E-16 - INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

All heavy accessories and equipment (batteries, stove, liferaft, generator, fuel cell, anchor, water and fuel tanks, etc..) must be securely fastened so as to remain in position regardless of heel angle.

E-17 - BALLAST

Any kind of ballast is prohibited outside of the lifelines.

E-18 - NAVIGATION LIGHTS

Navigation lights will be systematically tested by night before the start of a race which includes at least one night of sailing.

E-19 - OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

E-19-a No kind of outside routing is allowed during the events. Each competitor will have to sign a declaration committing him or herself to respect this rule.

E-19-b The VHF is the only communication system authorized aboard during the events.

E-19-c Any infringement of those rules can have the following consequences: life ban from Classe Mini and notification of infringement of the rule to the National Sailing Association.

E-19-d Any type of assistance at sea, other than medical, is forbidden. No physical contact with another boat and no provisioning, other than medical, can happen at sea during the event.

Note: confirmation of position or weather information requests are tolerated

E-19-e Boats can stop anywhere, anytime. The duration of the stopovers is limited to 72 hours.

E-20- REPLACEMENT OF MATERIAL

In case of material failure, replacement or repair of material can be made with authorization from the Race Committee and the Protest Committee, who may apply time penalties if the replacement or the repair alters the initial configuration of the boat (see E-1).

This article concerns the following material: spars, sails, appendages and more generally, any material that would need another control (measure, expiration date, coding…).

E-20-a A 24 hour penalty may apply for any substitution of a sail during an event.

E-21 - ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION

Every skipper must keep his rubbish on board up until the arrival ashore.

2010 official texts

Mini Class Rules - 2010 edition

The Mini Classe Rules hold all the articles unchangeable that concern especially the way the Classe Mini works.

The Mini Classe Rules include the administrative and sportive criteria necessary to enter an official Mini Event as well as the general organization of the latter.

A section called Special Rules for Events includes all the rules in relation with aboard equipment and the conduct of the boat during the events.

The Mini Rules and Mini Rules for Production Boats only include articles on measurements. In general, what is checked during the measurement sessions.

In case of a discrepancy between the French and the English version, the French version of this Guide shall prevail.

FOREWORD

All the Mini events are organized under the aegis of the National Sailing Federation and are under the control of the Classe Mini Association with the participation of the organizers and local communities or private partners.

Mini events are sporting events meant to encourage offshore racing in 6,50 metre long monohull sailboats.

The objective is to encourage the study and development of these boats to increase safety whilst promoting performance in offshore conditions.

The rules are designed to encourage seamanship, a sense of responsibility for all crews and to promote sportsmanship and solidarity between competitors.

R-1 - RESPONSIBILITY

R-1-a All boats must be entirely independent. Each crew must be wholly responsible for the completion of a race.

Each crew must deal with all events at sea on his/her own and be capable of making it to a port under their own steam.

The race courses are such that it is not possible to guarantee the success of rescue operations. The back up, put in place by the Organization, cannot guarantee in all circumstances the total safety of the competitors who cannot demand any rescue operation from it.

R-1-b The full responsibility of all incidents rests with the crew. The Organizers or Classe Mini cannot be held responsible by the competitors or third parties for any accident during the race or its preparation.

R-1-c Each competitor is free to abort the start or abandon the race at any time.

R-1-d In case of retirement, the competitor must do everything possible to alert the race organization so as not to incur penalties.

R-2 - ELIGIBILITY

R-2-a Mini events are open to all monohulls complying with the Mini Classe Rules, Special Rules for Events and Mini Rules of the ongoing year.

R-2-b Any boat must conform to her flag sate law.

R-2-c Any boat registered in a country which is a member of the European Union must comply with one of the following requirements:

Prototypes:

According to the article 224-1.04 from September 30th, 2004 or the article 240 from March, 11th 2008 concerning the safety of ships, the owners of prototypes registered in a country which is a member of the European Union will have to supply the proof of the compliance of a prototype boat (see models in appendix A of the French Version) certifying that the boat complies with the requirements of design category C.

Production boats:

Production boats launched after June 16th, 1998 must be stamped "CE" and classified in design category B.

Boats launched before this date must have been subjected to a national approval as production boats in 3rd category of navigation.

R-3 - CATEGORIES - RANKINGS

R-3-a Registrations are divided up into two categories: prototypes and production boats.

R-3-b There will be two separate rankings. Classifications are established according to actual finishing time.

R-3-c Other trophies may be allocated in agreement with Classe Mini.

R-4 - VALIDATION OF RACING MILES

Only events that the competitor has finished will count. An event is considered as "finished" when the competitor has finished the entire race, that is to say all the legs if there are more than one, without any external assistance (see E-19) and before the official closure of finish line.

R-5 - LEVELS OF RACES

R-5-a Events are classified according to levels such as follow:

Day event : D level
Event with no leg of more than 300 NM :  C level
Event with one or more legs of more than 300 NM : B level
Event with one or more legs of more than 1000 NM : A level

R-5-b Classe Mini Board of Administrators reserves the possibility to downgrade or upgrade a race at the moment of the publication of the Calendar.

R-6 - ENTRIES

R-6-a Entries are opened to every boat satisfying the eligibility criteria (Mini Rules, Special Rules for Events, Classe rules).

R-6-b Competitors less than 18 years of age must provide a certificate of parental consent.

R-6-c The registration’s deadline is determined in the Notice Of Race. Entry forms are available from the Organizers of each event.

R-7- QUALIFICATIONS

Competitors will have to respect the following qualification rules:

Necessary qualification for B level event : complete a B or C level event.
A level event double handed : complete a B or C level event / 1000 NM in mini events (1 person only) / complete an event the same year.
A level event single handed : complete a B or C level event / 1000 NM in mini events / 1000 NM course single handed / complete an event the same year / complete a single handed race.

R-7-a B level events are accessible only for competitors who have finished a C or B level event in the 5 preceding years. For double handed race, only one member of the crew must comply with this rule.

R-7-b Qualification in Mini events for A level events

Following the Mini Transat 1999 - when about half of the fleet gave up and many beacons were activated - the Classe Mini, strongly incited by the French Sailing Authority (FFVoile), had to react. We thus set up a qualification in two steps : 1000 NM single-handed on a designated course and 1000 NM in race, single or double-handed but with at least one single-handed race. That is to say, on the whole, 2000 NM carried out by the couple skipper/boat which wishes to take the start of a A level single-handed race.

The objective is simple: to allow the candidates in an A level race to become aware of their true sailing level and their psychological aptitude for single handed navigation. To cross the Atlantic single-handed is not an easy task. It is a true personal engagement in an experience where one completely takes charge of his destiny. In the middle of the ocean, you cannot count on anybody. And the qualifications, in particular the designated course, are there to prepare yourself. That's why we strongly urge you to not complete this course with others. The voluntary members of the Qualification Committee, who study your qualification file, are not there to sanction but help your preparation.

Some see this "qualif." as an obstacle to overcome in order to start the Mini-Transat. Others, the majority of those who made it, appreciate it. One learns much during his qualification. Often, one comes back changed. You will see, you will not regret it.

R-7-b-1 1000 NM in Mini events

For an event the Y year, the competitor must have completed after January, 1st of the Y-5 year at least 1000 NM in Mini events :

- from the official Mini program
- on the boat he has entered the A race with,
- with a minimum of two races, including at least one single-handed,
- with at least a leg of more than 500 NM non-stop.

Only events where the competitor has finished will be considered.

R-7-b-2 In the year of the A event he wants to qualify for, he/she must have finished at least one C or B event of the official Mini Program on his boat. The date of this race is not taken into account in the chronology of the order of inscription.

R-7-c 1000 NM single handed course for single handed A level events.

R-7-c-1 Distance: 1000 NM single-handed on the boat the skipper wants to qualify with.

R-7-c-2 Deadline: no later than June, 30th the year of the event for which he/she qualifies.

R-7-c-3 This mandatory qualifying course is defined by the Classe Mini and established for each area (Atlantic, Mediterranean). This course is a loop that the competitor has to complete once. Entry point to the loop may be determined according to the starting harbour.

R-7-c-4 This course must be completed with no stop over.

R-7-c-5 This qualification course being designed to improve seamanship of the competitors, they can, in case of severe weather conditions only, decide to make a stop over.

R-7-c-6 The engine use is strictly limited to manoeuvre in and out of the harbours.

R-7-c-7 The competitor must send the form to Classe Mini by mail, fax or e-mail to inform the Classe he is leaving (this form is available on the official website http://www.classemini.com or can asked for at the office).

The competitor must by any means at his disposal (phone, VHF, encountered vessels, Semaphores etc...) provide information about his progress.

All the rounded marks, or failing that, the GPS position when rounding the mark must be photographed with the skipper and/or the boat clearly identifiable.

The logbook of this qualifying course must be signed by a local authority at the start, stop over (if necessary) and finish. The logbook and its associated marine chart shall be sent the Classe Mini within a fortnight (postmark date).

In this log book, one has to mention:

- at least two celestial navigation sights must be computed and plotted on the chart in details using the zenith’s position by the “line of position + meridian” method or in the absence of possible sights using the zenith’s position by two positions lines. The geometrical construction of the navigation is required,

- the weather reports, especially those justifying a possible stop over,

- the following observations (8 times a day) : hour, position, compass course, log, weather observations (sea, force and direction of the wind),

- sails and changes of sails,

- any relevant observations (special marks, damages, etc...).

- the associated marine chart covering the whole course with at least two plots a day.

R-7-c-8 Atlantic qualification course:

Three rounding marks:
- Conninbeg Light Vessel or Buoy: 52°02,4' N - 6°39,5' W
- Rochebonne:
- NW buoy: 46° 12.9' N - 2° 31.9' W
- SW buoy: 46° 10.1' N - 2° 27.0' W
- SE buoy: 46° 09.2' N - 2° 21.2' W
- Ré Island.
(Positions non official)

Additionally, competitors have to round the Ushant Traffic Separation Scheme

R-7-c-9 Mediterranean qualification course:

Four rounding marks:
- Barcelona : soundwater buoy 41°20,0' N ; 002°13,0' E
- Golfe du Lion : special mark buoy 42° 59,0' N - 3° 44'9 E
- Giraglia Island : 43° 01.6' N - 9°24.4' E
- Giannutri Island : 42°14.3'N - 11°06.6' E
(Positions not official)

R-7-d Skippers who have already finished one event with more than 2000 NM single-handed with maximum one stopover are exempted from the qualifying course defined in R-7-c.

R-7-e Configuration of the boat for the qualifying course
- During an event: boats measured, complying with the Classe Mini Rules and Mini Rules.
- Outside an event: boats complying with the Classe Mini Rules and Mini Rules.
Note: we strongly advise competitors to bring aboard the EPIRB beacon and the life suit for the 1000 NM course single handed.

R-7-f In the following circumstances, the skipper will have to notify Classe Mini, and the Measurement Committee will determine whether an additional qualification is required:

- boat measured before ‘95,
- change of keel fin or keel bulb,
- change of keel structure or keel position,
- modifications calling into question the aptitude of the boat to be conforming with the criteria of stability defined in the Mini Rules,
- modifications calling into question the structural integrity of the boat, including the additions of mass in the bulb.

R-8 - ENTRY ORDER AND NUMBER OF ENTRIES

R-8-a For A level events, if the maximum number of registrations is reached, each category (production and prototypes) is limited to 40% of the maximum number of registrations after deduction of competitors granted with a Derogation to the Qualification Calendar - DCQ (such as defined in the articles R-9 and R-10). The other 20% are distributed in the order of entrance.

R-8-b To be considered as fully registered for an event, each competitor must have paid the entry fees, must have completed the qualifying course, if there is one and have been accepted by the Race Committee and the Protest Committee after the prestart controls in the starting harbour.

R-8-c The entries, except DCQ, will be governed in chronological order once all the requirements below have been filled, irrespective of the order:

- the sending date of the entry form and the entry fees (date of postmark) to the Organizer,

- the date of the end of the qualification race (if necessary),

- the date of the end of the single-handed qualification (if necessary).

R-8-d Due to the importance of events scheduling, events dates are determined as follows:

- Qualification in race: day of the official results declaration for the event concerned.

- Single-handed qualification: day of the end of the course (according to harbour office stamp).

- Entry fees cheque: day of the postmark.

R-8-e Cases of a tie for A level events

R-8-e-1 In case of a tie, the competitor who has sailed the greatest distance on the boat registered during official Mini events, except Transatlantic races, will have priority.

R-8-e-2 If two competitors have sailed the same distance on the boat registered during official Mini events, the competitor who has sailed the greatest distance during official Mini events, including Transatlantic races, on any boat will have the priority.

R-8-e-3 If, after this, two competitors are still on a tie, the date they did their single-handed qualification (if necessary) course will count.

R-8-e-4 If, by chance, two competitors happen to still be on a tie, the day (according to the postmark) they have sent the cheque for entry fees balance will count.

R-8-f Cases of a tie for B, C and D level races

R-8-f-1 At the same time of the registration to the Organizer, each competitor has to sort by order of priority the races he wants to take part as a skipper, according to a form established by the Classe Mini.

R-8-f-2 The competitor must send his form filled and signed to the office of the Classe Mini. One member who is registered as a skipper of one boat at least once in the season cannot be co-skipper on the same boat during a race that is not mentioned on his form of preferences (this race must appear at the same rank as the one mentioned on the form of his crew, otherwise only the lowest rank of preference will be considered).

R-8-f-3 In case the maximum number of competitors is reached as soon as the D-day (date of registration), the Classe Mini then organizes the entries' lists according to the order of priority the skipper has given to the races in the preferences’ form.

R-8-f-4 If oversubscribed, there will be a drawing to determine the wait lists.

R-8-f-5 The schedule:

- December, 8th 2009: download the form of preferences for events on the Classe Mini website.
- January, 25th 2010: deadline for skipper’s responses.
- February, 5th 2010: registration list published.

R-9 - DEROGATIONS TO THE QUALIFICATION CALENDAR (DCQ) - FOREIGNERS

R-9-a For A level races, applicants living in a country which is out of the European continent can ask for a Derogation to the Qualification Calendar (DCQ).

R-9-b Interested competitors must send an application to Classe Mini, in digital format, including their foreseen sailing program, their sailing background, the type of the boat and their motivation for competing.

R-9-c The eligibility of competitors who may be granted with a DCQ is agreed by both Classe Mini and Organizers.

R-9-d Eligible Competitors shall complete their qualifications as defined in articles R-7-a, R-7-b and R-7-c.

R-9-e Qualifying courses defined in the article R-7 for the admissible competitors may be defined in agreement with the Classe Mini.

R-9-f Six places are reserved for eligible competitors on the registration list until the last qualifying event is over.

They are given to the first 6 qualified eligible boat/skipper pairs.

R-9-g The deadlines are as follows, the year previous to the event:

- Deposit of the files: November, 1st,
- Communication of the list of eligible competitors: December, 1st,
- Communication of the successful competitors list: end of the last qualifying event.

After this deadline, if less than 6 places are awarded as DCQ, the remaining places are attributed to the other competitors in waiting list.

R-10 - DEROGATIONS TO THE QUALIFICATION CALENDAR (DCQ) - PROTOTYPES

For A level races, a maximum of 3 places will be kept for the first three boats qualified corresponding to the prototype mini rules that have been measured for the first time in the year of the A level race. These places cannot be given to boats fitting with the production boat mini rules.

R-11 - SURVIVAL - FIRST AID TRAINING

For any race of OSR category 1 and 2 ( see the Notice of Race for A and B level races) the crew must document that they undertook a sea survival training in compliance with ISAF rules and at least one member of the crew must hold a Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent (less than 5 years old).

R-12 - DOCUMENTS

To be properly registered, each skipper must supply the following documents:

To the Classe Mini (1) :
- photocopy of the ship's license or equivalent,
- all of the requirements detailed in R-2-c,
- for the prototypes, appendix B signed,
- copy of the liferaft booklet,
- VHF license and call sign for the boat,
- Sarsat MMSI number delivered by National authority (www.itu.int),
- Short range certificate (for the crew),
- EPIRB coding form,
- colour pictures of the boat in digital format (side view and upper view) (2),
- current advertising card (depending on national authority),
- sailing experience resume for each member of the crew,
- FFVoile license or national authority equivalent (including medical certificate) for the ongoing year,
- certificate of complementary insurance for third party liability for the amount of € 1.500.000 for any race beyond 200 NM from the coasts,
- for people who are not member of the FFVoile, a certificate of insurance in third part liability for the amount of € 1.500.000,
- Classe Mini membership for the crew (3),
- Classe Mini membership for the boat,
- photocopy of passport,
- parental approval certificate for minors,
- onshore contact phone number during the event,
- valid ISAF sea survival course certificate (see R-11).
- copy of a current Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent (see R-11).
(1) These documents have to be sent by digital format if possible.
(2) These pictures must show the boat’s graphics used during that event.
(3) For double handed races, the crew member must be member of the Classe Mini. For C and D level double handed races, he can subscribe as an occasional crew if he participates in only one race in the year.

To the Organizers:
- Entry fee,
- Entry form.

R-13 - PRE-RACE ARRIVAL

Boats and skippers must be available for the Race Committee at least:
- 10 days before the start of an A level event
- 4 days before the start of a B level event
- 60 hours before the start of a C level event
- 24 hours before the start of a D level event

During this time, skippers must be present and available for boats safety checks and finalize their administrative file.

R-14- PENALTIES

R-14-a If a competitor cancels his entry to a race less than one month before the start of the race, for not absolutely necessary reasons, he will lose 100% of the entry fees.

R-14-b Penalties for being late regarding the pre-race arrival can only be financial and will be as follows:
- € 80 for the first day,
- € 160 for the second day,
- € 320 for each following day.

R-14-b-1 These penalty fees will be donated to a Marine Search and Rescue organization, excluding processing costs.

R-14-c To avoid the congestion of the waiting lists, for B, C or D level races these different articles will be applied:

R-14-c-1 Except for situations of force majeure, any registered competitor, even on the waiting list, who is not in the starting harbour at the date of the pre-race, ready to race and who has not withdrawn in writing first to the organizer and the Classe Mini at least 30 days before the start of the race, will be relegated to the end of the next event’s waiting list that he has entered.

R-14-c-2 If one skipper does not withdraw properly twice in the same campaign, he will automatically be removed from all the events he has entered.

These sanctions do not apply on A level events.

R-15- INSPECTION

R-15-a Each boat must be checked in the presence of the skipper or the crew in the starting harbour before being declared definitively entered. This check determines if the boat complies with all the Classe Rules and safety.

R-15-b The rejection of a boat will be notified to the crew as early as possible to allow crew to rectify infringements.

If time permits, a second check will be carried out.

R-15-c Boats may be checked at any time.

R-15-d The Measurement Committee may perform any measurement in order to assess seaworthiness, conformity and safety of the Minis.

R-16 - PROTESTS

R-16-a A Protest Committee is designated during the entire event. The chairman will be named by the race National Sailing Association.

R-16-b Protests regarding eligibility can not be logged later than 24 hours before the start of the race. After this time, protests will not be accepted.

R-17 -SUBSTITUTIONS

R-17-a Substitutions of skippers at the start of the event are only granted if there are still places available and if substitutes are suitably qualified.

R-17-b During the event, substitutions are only granted in case of force majeure.

R-17-c Substitutions are valid only once the Organizer, the Classe Mini, the Race Committee and the Protest Committee have agreed.

R-18 - ADVERTISING

R-18-a Advertising on boats is governed by R.R.S. 2009-2012 of ISAF rule number 80.

R-18-b In agreement with the F.F.Voile and the Organizers of Mini races, the advertising spaces are divided up as shown in figure 4. It is the skipper's responsibility to provide the spaces and material for the organizers' advertising/branding.

R-18-c The Classe Mini may ask for a place for its own sponsors.

R-18-d Race numbers and ensigns must stay clearly visible at all times.

R-18-e Flags, banners and any other publicity material can only be displayed in harbour, at the quayside or at anchor, subject to the Notice Of Race of the event.

R-18-f As an exception to the article R-18-a, the advertising allotment for the skippers is allowed along the entirety of the spars.

R-19 - EXCLUSION

The Classe Mini may ban a member who has knowingly twisted the spirit or the wording of the Mini Rules or the Mini Class Rules.

R-20 - NOTICE OF RACE

Each event has its own Notice Of Race with the agreement of the Classe Mini. This Notice of Race will include the following items as a minimum:
- organization,
- event schedule,
- dates,
- race course,
- entry date,
- entry fee,
- non refundable processing fees,
- entry fee deadline date,
- time limit for arrival,
- charts and nautical documents,
- date of the Prize giving.

R-21 - PRIZES

Prizes offered to competitors cannot be financial. If possible prizes should be of a nature to assist the competitor in the realization of his/her “Mini Project”.

2010 official texts
Download : Division of the advertising spaces (474,00 ko)