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21st Hobie Cat® 16 World Championships

Dapeng, Shenzhen, China.
29 May – 13 June 2016

Venue & Dates

The 2016 Hobie Cat 16 World Championships will be held from 29 May to 13 June, 2016 and sailed at Dapeng, Shenzhen China in three (3) world championship disciplines: Women’s, Youth and Open with three (3) additional disciplines, Masters Cup, Grand Masters Cup and Great Grand Masters Cup.

Organising Authority

The Organising Authority is Hobie Cat Australasia in conjunction with the 2016 Chinese Worlds Committee and IHCA under the authority of the Chinese Yachting Association. 

Rules

The 2016 Hobie Cat 16 World Championships will be governed by the rules as defined in the International Sailing Federation Racing Rules, the International Hobie® Class Rules, and this Notice of Race, except when any of these are altered by the regatta Sailing Instructions. Rule 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty. The use of VHF radios by competitors and coaches is strictly forbidden. The English text of this Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions will prevail.

Eligibility

The ISAF Competitors’ Eligibility Code applies, this also applies to the qualifying crews selection. All competing skippers and crew members shall be paid-up members of a National Hobie Class Association or Hobie Fleet in good standing with the IHCA. 

Link to document

Advertising Category

The boats shall display advertising of the event sponsor(s) as required by the Organising Committee. Individual sponsorship conflicting with the event sponsor’s business category shall not be allowed. For more information, please contact the organisers.

Entries

Entries shall be made on the Official Entry Form. Available on the Event Website www.hobieworlds.com

Pre-Registration – Early Entry From 12th January 2016

Entries and non-refundable registration fees shall be received by 29 March 2016. An early entry discount applies. Dates and times are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) and Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) when applicable. See Race Fees. Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Organising Authority.

Quotas (TBC)

There will be three rounds in the Open Worlds: Qualifier, Semi-Finals and Finals. Quotas for the seeded teams for the Semi-Finals are as follows:

Fees

Registration fees are non-refundable and will be paid in $USD. The registration fees are payable to the Organizing Authority only by PayPal / Credit Card (Secure online payment system)

Full details of payment options are provided after submitting the online form. Payments shall be received by 1st May 2016 (close of entries) and shall include the details of entry. Payment must be received within 24 hours of entry for entry to be valid. Late entries, if accepted, shall pay a non-refundable late entry fee.

Boats

The Organising authority, Hobie Cat Australasia will supply boats free of charge to all teams. No other boats, sails or battens may be used during the event. A refundable boat deposit of USD $500.00 or ¥3300 RMB will be required on site by every team. Damage deposits must be paid in cash in USD (USA dollars) or RMB (Chinese Yuan). No other currencies will be accepted. No credit card payments will be accepted for damage deposits. Boat damage deposits will be taken at registration. Any damage to the boat will be the responsibility of the team using the boat unless otherwise determined by the decision of a jury in a protest hearing. In the event of damage to the boat the official beach crew will evaluate the damage and determine the cost to repair or replace damaged goods. The competitor’s damage deposit will be debited to cover the damage to the boat. If damage is more than the USD $500 or ¥3300 RMB damage deposit, it will be the responsibility of the team that caused the damage to pay any additional charges over the USD $500 or ¥3300 RMB damage deposit and their damage deposit will be debted to pay the damage. In addition, to continue sailing in the event, any damage deposit that has been debited will need to be paid up so that USD $500 or ¥3300 RMB remains with the Hobie Cat Australasia beach committee. In the event that damage is the result of a collision and there is a protest decision; the team that is held responsible for the collision is responsible for paying for the damage to all other boats as a result of the collision. Any damage deposit unused at the end of the event will be returned to the competitor. The damage deposit is not an insurance policy. The only allowable equipment additions to the boats shall be: additional non-permanent tell tails; wind indicators; compass and class legal tiller extension. Competitors shall supply their own life jackets and trapeze harnesses.

Qualifier Series

Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis for the Qualifier Series. There will be a maximum 56 teams to boats accepted in the Qualifier Series. Pre-qualified competitors are not permitted to register or compete in the Qualifier Series.

Registration Times

The registration office will be open as follows: MASTERS 29 May from 10:00 to 18:00 GREAT GRAND MASTERS, GRAND MASTERS, WOMEN’S AND YOUTH 2 June from 10:00 to 18:00 OPEN QUALIFIERS 5 June from 10:00 to 18:00 OPEN SEMI FINALS 8 June 13:00 to 18:00. Teams must register on site during the times indicated. Failure to do so will result in the entry being awarded to another team.

At registration you will require your passport and your boat damage deposit as listed under boats to register.

Schedule of 2016 Championship Races

On all racing days the first start of the day will not be before 9:00am (wind permitting).

Scoring System

The low point scoring system will apply. ISAF RR Appendix A.

Women’s World Championship

Skipper and crew shall be female. (Subject to a minimum participation of 5 teams to grant World Champion status). The maximum entry is 28 teams. 

Youth World Championship

To qualify for the Youth World Championship all members of the crew shall be under the age of 21 years of age on 31 December 2016. (Subject to a minimum participation of 5 teams to grant World Champion status). The maximum entry is 28 teams. The Organizing Authority reserves the right at their discretion to increase the maximum entry, after the 2nd May.

Master’s International Cup

To qualify for the Master’s Championship, the skipper shall be 45 years or over on 31 December 2016. (Subject to a minimum participation of 12 teams to grant International Cup status).

Grand Master’s International Cup

To qualify for the Grand Master’s Championship, the skipper shall be 55 years or over on 31 December 2016. The age of crew members in the Grand Masters series is open. (Subject to a minimum participation of 5 teams to grant International Cup status). There will be a maximum 56 teams to boats accepted.

Great Grand Master’s International Cup

To qualify for the Great Grand Master’s Championship, the skipper shall be 65 years or over on 31 December 2016. The age of crew members in the Grand Masters series is open. (Subject to a minimum participation of 5 teams to grant International Cup status). There will be a maximum 56 teams to boats accepted.

International Jury

An International Jury shall be appointed by the IHCA for the Open event, and may be appointed for the Women’s, Masters, Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters and Youth events.

Sailing Instructions

The sailing instructions will be made available at registration.

Prizes

All finalists will receive awards. The first 3 teams in the Youth, Women’s, Masters, Grand Masters and Great Grand Masters will receive trophies; the first 10 teams in the Open event will receive special awards. The overall winner in the Open event will be declared the 2016 Hobie Cat 16 World Champion.

Private Boats & Exclusion Zone

Private Hobies or private boats will not be permitted on or near the course area during competition hours. From the 30 April – 29 May, 2016 no competitor or coach may enter the exclusion zone. From the 30 May -13 June, 2016 no entrant to the competition may enter the exclusion zone without the permission of the race committee. No coach boats will be allowed in the exclusion zone during this period. Failure to comply may have the entry or team removed from the competition (exclusion zone map with details – pending).

Opening Ceremony 29 May

Ticketed event – Masters Class Welcome – All sailors are welcome to attend (tickets required).

Accommodation

The host will assist in organising the accommodation needs for all competitors and friends. Bookings for accommodation should be made through the host website.

Weather information

Average air temperature: Maximum 31˚C (88˚F) Minimum air temperature: 26˚C (79˚F)

Championship Information

Hobie Cat Australasia
11 Erina Rd, Huskisson. NSW.
Australia. 2540
Telephone: + 61 2 4441 8400
Email: hobie16worlds@hobiecat.com.au
Website: http://www.hobieworlds.com

Exclusion Zone

(Details Pending)