Morning Folks
 
For those that missed out, the HRSC Warming Pan provided for some interesting racing with a bit of snakes and ladders thrown in
 
One observation from the weekend and question for all, what is and what is not deemed as wearing weight within your life jacket. We all no doubt carry our treats and rolls of tape in the front pouch, but if we were to carry gel packs or water bottles within the top rashie, would that be designated as carrying weight. My reason for asking (I already have my opinion on the matter), is that someone, does not matter who, as would not want to see them protested in the future if it was indeed, deemed illegal (of no concern to me, but I know some might take exception), was observed to be carrying a water bottle under their rashie, probably for ease of access to drink in light to medium airs
 
Just wondered what the general thought/concensis is on the matter. One I was asked and did not offer an opinion on, but thought it would be an interesting one to through out there and see what reaction we get
 
Over to the Forum then

 Mark,
as one who wrecked their spine wearing weight jackets, this is a sore topic (sore in more ways than one).
Rule 43.1  can be applied to this - unless you are a windsurfer.
Bottom line, shouldn't be happening.
 
Dougal 

 Morning Dougal
 
 I remember the days of weight jackets. I used to have one after a few years of wet jumpers etc. Definitely not a fan of them as they add extra pressure as the body tires during the last beat in a championship race. they nearly crippled me
 
Question is, what is deemed as carrying weight. My energy bars weigh 65 gm each and gel packs probably 40 gm. So that would mean Char and I each have 105 gm plus tape and a length of D12 on us
 
Shall be interesting to see what other comments we get
 
M

It's about 'purpose'... if the purpose of you carrying gel, tape and D12 is to increase your weight then it's illegal. If the purpose is to have items close to hand then that is fine. 
RRS Rule 43.1(a) Competitors shall not wear or carry clothing or equipment for the purpose of increasing their weight. 

If someone is putting water bottles in their life jacket for "ease of use" then surely they would be doing this regardless of wind state-light or strong winds? Then it would not be considered as ballast for strong winds only.

 Chris, exactly my point. What is deemed suitable and at what time. ie if not hiking (perched on the side or inside the boat) but has water on their body (not bladder) for ease of use in a bottle etc, would it be decided to be beneficial to the competitor or for ease of access or for ulterior motives. It is further complicated by the lightness of the latest generation wetsuits etc where you could get it and your kit well below 8 kg., possibly as low as 5.5 - 6 kg for the average size person
 
In the spirit of the rules, any reasonably heavy items such as a leatherman or fluids would be deemed to be an advantage, but is it in the above case, that is the question. Not our problem, but could be anothers if they fell into the trap if it was to go against them in the room
 
43  Competitor Clothing
and Equipment

43.1 (a) Competitors
shall not wear or carry clothing or equipment for the purpose of
increasing their weight.

      
(b) Furthermore, a competitor's
clothing and equipment shall not weigh more than 8 kilograms, excluding
a hiking or trapeze harness and clothing (including footwear) worn only
below the knee. Class rules or sailing instructions may specify a lower
weight or a higher weight up to 10 kilograms. Class rules may include
footwear and other clothing worn below the knee within that weight. A
hiking or trapeze harness shall have positive buoyancy and shall not
weigh more than 2 kilograms, except that class rules may specify a
higher weight up to 4 kilograms. Weights shall be determined as
required by Appendix H. 

      
       (c) When an equipment
inspector or a
measurer in charge of weighing clothing and equipment
believes a competitor may have broken rule 43.1(a) or rule 43.1(b) he
shall report the matter in writing to the protest committee. 

      43.2 Rule 43.1(b) does not apply to boats required
to be equipped with lifelines.
 
Appendix H: 

H1: Items of clothing and equipment to be weighed shall be
arranged on a rack. After being 
saturated in water the items shall be allowed to drain freely  for 
one  minute  before 
being  weighed.  The rack must allow the items to hang as they
would hang from clothes hangers, so as to allow the water to drain freely. Pockets
that have drain-holes that cannot be closed shall be empty, but pockets or
items that can hold water shall be full. 

H2|: When the weight recorded exceeds the amount permitted,
the competitor may rearrange the items on the rack and the equipment inspector or
measurer shall again soak and weigh them. 
This procedure may be repeated a second time if the weight still exceeds
the amount permitted. 

H3: A competitor wearing a dry suit may choose an alternative
means of weighing the items. 

(a)     The dry suit
and items of clothing and equipment that are worn outside the dry suit shall be
weighed as described above. 

(b)     Clothing worn
underneath the dry suit shall be weighed as worn while racing, without
draining. 

(c)     The two
weights shall be added together.

 

 Mark, 
As I read that phrase 'spirit of the rules' I could imagine the measurers having a fit of the vapours.  There is a rule, or there isn't a rule...sadly there is no 'spirit of the rules'. So, someone carrying a Mars bar in the mesh pocket on the front of the front of their BA is not an intention to increase their weight (though in the end, too many Mars bars will do just that)but a pouch or bladder of water could be a different matter all together. I am reminded of David Hunt (he of Needlespars) who, when sailing the Tempest with Alan Warren, found that the rules required them to carry an anchor and 25m of line. But...nothing to say how it should be carried, so David replaced the mars bars in his BA with the anchor and line. Protests and a lot of hot air and all for what was just a wind up.
But getting back to more serious matters, if someone is doing something blatant enough to make another competitor feel aggrieved enough to protest, then they may well stand a reasonable prospect of winning that protest.
Indeed, the answer may well be to go through that protest procedure, if only to  establish where the boundaries lie.
 
D 

 Dougal 
 
Well said, but it won't be me, we do things in a more subtle manner by chatting to the person involved in the B14s unless it is an on the water collision etc. It works well as people hate to be seen as bullies or cheats as it tends to stick with them
 
On a case like this I think you may well be right, but it would not be my call, though others might be aggrieved to take the matter further
 
Canada Ottowa olympics, yes a few things went on out there where there was some banter. Not sure how well the viking funeral went down on prime time news though ;) with the IOC

For information,
I understand the World Sailing ruling on water (and by logical extension food) is covered by ISAF CASE 89 (1997).
 
No beverage container is allowed on person as not deemed necessary for racing and therefore primary purpose is to increase competitor's weight.
 
I suggest other "items of equipment" might be assessed on a case by case basis. 
 
Be careful of a lead pencil.
 

 Steve (Watson) - thanks for the reference!
I was talking with Dave Chivers today on another topic and this came up. We both knew that there had been an ISAF case history on the topic but left it there. If someone were to start playing games on this then I'm sure that it wouldn't be long before they were taken to task.
 
Mark...not the Kingston event but much earlier....for some unknown reason I'm thinking Japan! I'll ask David H if I see him around at all!
 
D 

Steve thanks for that. People now can track back and get clarity in the future
 
Dougal not sure if Alan has been to Japan. Be interesting to find out 

 Mark,
 
I'm at Warsash tomorrow night...if I see David at all I will ask. It might have been in his FD days...... hence Japan - with John Oakley
 
D