Often Asked Questions – How do I get involved in EAORA Events?
Here are the answers to some of the questions regarding getting started and preparing a yacht to take part in an EAORA event.
What are the EAORA Events ? - The EAORA annual programme comprises 9 to 12 events, of which, a competitor must complete a minimum number to qualify for the season’s class and overall points. The programme is a mixture of off-shore races and coastal races and competitors can opt to take part in the complete series or just the coastal events. They must however comply with the general conditions within the Part 1 Sailing Instructions contained within the Handbook or downloadable from this website.
What is the 2012 EAORA programme ? – It is a series of 11 events for the overall EAORA championship and Inter-Club competition and includes 7 coastal events which form a mini series for a coastal race trophy. To compete in these events owners must comply with the ISAF safety requirements for their yacht. Also within the EAORA programme there is the Royal Thames East Coast Championship awarded on the results in each class in five named races, four to count which must include the EAORA/RORC off-shore race. There is also an inter-club Trophy for which points are counted from the best three boats in each club in every race with no discards. However to score season & Club points the yacht must have an Endorsed IRC certificate.
What is East Anglian Week ? This is part of the EAORA programme and in 2012 comprises three events which count for points towards the overall and coastal series and starts on Friday 29th June with an off-shore race from West Mersea to Breskens, Netherlands finishing during Saturday. On Sunday there will be a coastal race (MYC Cannon Ball) from Breskens to Breskens. On Monday after a race in Westerschelde the fleet will race in the comfort of Holland’s inland sheltered waters for four days. A final race on Friday to Ostend will complete the week with a prize-giving dinner.
Does my Yacht meet the safety requirements ? EAORA events can be arduous therefore your yacht must be seaworthy and comply with the rules and regulations described in this handbook. Specifically, construction and safety requirements must be met as detailed in the “ISAF Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing” see below. Yachts must also comply with the IRC Safety and Stability Indices (SSI) Base Minimum SSS of 15 or STIX of 23 for every race. A yacht’s “SSS or STIX” is stated on its IRC certificate issued by the RORC Rating Office. The higher the value, the more “seaworthy” a boat is perceived to be by the system. Full details about these stability measurements can be found in the IRC Yearbook.
Does my Yacht qualify to race in EAORA Events? All yachts must have a current year IRC certificate. This is largely assessed by self-measurement by the owner. For the 2012 season, EAORA will be able to assist yachts who previously have not held an IRC certificate. Committee member Peter Ward can be contacted to discuss this further. However, although a yacht may compete in the EAORA races, and may win the relevant race trophy, they will not be awarded points towards the season’s trophies or the inter-club trophy unless the yacht has an Endorsed Certificate. This involves weighing and measuring by a professional RORC measurer. The IRC 2012 Handbook containing a full guide and relevant application forms is available free from the RORC Rating Office at Seahorse Building, Bath Road, Lymington, Hants SO41 9SE (Tel: 01590 677030. e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
How do I know if I meet the ISAF safety Requirements ? All yachts are required to have their inventory of safety gear checked by the owner using one of the EAORA checklists contained within this Handbook or available on the EAORA website. If you intend undertaking any of the offshore events or the complete annual series then you must self check using the current ISAF category 3 checklist. If you only intend undertaking the Coastal events then you must complete the ISAF category 4 checklist. The completed and signed checklist must be kept on board the yacht and a copy, along with a copy of your current IRC certificate must be sent to the EAORA Chief Race Officer before the start of the first race for which the yacht is entered. Be aware that yachts may be subject to an inspection and may be subject to protest by the Race Committee should they be found to not comply with the safety regulations.
How many crew can I take ? The crew should consist of an adequate number of experienced people who are physically fit to be able to face bad weather. See Sailing Instructions Part1 paragraph 9 for specific crew number details.
What Insurance do I need ? You should check that you have adequate racing risk cover. In particular, insurers will need to know that you intend to race offshore and also in the coastal and inland waterways of Europe.
How do I enter an EAORA event ? By using an EAORA Entry Form available in this handbook or printed from our web site. The completed form with a cheque made payable to the Organising Club (not EAORA except for EAORA week) must be received on or before the closing date. Alternatively you can enter on the EAORA web site; this will electronically transfer your entry to the relevant Club. However you must still forward a cheque or electronic transfer the correct amount to that Club using the details given in the relevant Notice of Race.
What is the Race Entry Fee ? - £35 For UK organised events or £45 for events finishing outside the UK, this is to cover the additional race management costs. There are separate entry fees for EAORA & RORC events.
Where do I get instructions for the events? This handbook contains the main information that you will require to take part in any of the EAORA events. The Part 1 Sailing Instructions give details of the general conditions that must be adhered to in all races, the Notice of Race for each event gives the initial details relevant to each event, however they may be amended by Part 2 Sailing Instructions, which will be sent to you by the Organising Authority at least three days before the race, along with an entry list. Our EAORA Chief Race Officer Brian Bolton (07793 372 548) can advise on the contents if required.
Can I race without belonging to a member club? EAORA ia an association of Clubs and therefore there are no individuals members. All yachts have to belong to a member of a member club to participate. A list of the clubs appear on the front cover of the handbook and on the web site. As long as your club is affiliated to the RYA, it can join EAORA for an annual fee of £50.
I have more questions? A full list of the EAORA committee, with representatives covering most areas on the East Coast, again can be found in the handbook and on the web site. Please do contact anyone of them with any queries you may have.
www.eaora.org.uk
www.rorcrating.com
http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/OSR2010Mo3Life101209-[8157].pdf
http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/OSR2010Mo4101209-[8165].pdf
