Executive Committee Action

July 28, 2023

The Executive Committee is acting on behalf of the Governing Board per Lightning Class Constitution, Article XII, Section 1(b), to temporarily amend the Document Governing All Sanctioned Lightning Class Championships, Articles Which Apply Specifically to the North American Championship, Article XIII Racing Conditions in its entirety for the 2023 Lightning North American Championship. This amendment will apply from July 28, 2023 until August 12, 2023, at which time, the original language shall be in force.

Reason behind the action:  The Executive Committee with the support of the Vice President of North Americans, Josh Goldman, would like to improve the quality of the sailing experience at the 2023 North American Championship and possibly encourage increased participation. With 37 registered boats as of July 28, 2023 a revised format is necessary. This format will improve the quality of the sailing experience at the 2023 North American Championship.

Temporary Amendment: 

ARTICLES WHICH APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO THE NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

ARTICLE XIII- RACING CONDITIONS

1. DIVISIONS AND QUALIFYING SERIES

    

   1. Divisions – All competitors entitled to enter the North American Championships shall sail in the Championship Division.

       

   2. Qualifying Series – There shall be no qualifying series for the 2023 North American Championship.

       

2. SCORING

1. The number of races scheduled shall be nine (9).If six (6) races or more are sailed than a competitors worst race shall be dropped. This provision changes RRS A2, and it shall be included in the Sailing Instructions to be valid.

Existing Language:

ARTICLE XIII — RACING CONDITIONS

A–ELIMINATION RACES

1. All boats entitled to enter the North American Championship Regattas shall be divided into equal flights and shall sail a Qualifying Series. Boats shall be rotated between flights so that each Skipper will have an opportunity to sail against as many different Skippers as possible. Four elimination races shall be scheduled, to be sailed the first two days. If all are sailed, three will be scored. If less than four are sailed, all will be scored. If, by the end of the second day, at least three races have been sailed, the Qualifying Series will be terminated. If less than three races have been sailed in the first two days, the Qualifying Series will continue on the third day. As soon as a total of three races have been sailed (including those sailed previously) the series will be terminated and yachts scored on the basis of the races sailed. If, after three days, only one race has been completed, the Qualifying Series will continue until two races have been completed. This changes RRS A2 and shall be included in the Sailing Instructions to be valid.
2. The right of appeal shall be denied for the qualifying series per RRS 70. The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions shall so state and there are specific stipulations in RRS 70. The Executive Committee may wave this requirement if the host venue can not meet the requirements of RRS 70. 
3. The 33 Skippers receiving the lowest number of points in the races plus the reigning North American Champion and all Skippers tied for 33rd place shall be entitled to sail the final series to determine the North American Champion. However, if the reigning Champion chooses and so notifies I.L.C.A. at least thirty days ahead of the first elimination race, he may sail in the Qualifying Series. If he qualifies for the final series to determine the North American Champion the Fleet will be increased to 34 and all Skippers tied for 34th place. The remaining Skippers shall sail for the Presidents' Cup, except that where more than 35 remain after selection of the Championship group, a Governors' Cup series will be conducted. In such case the remaining Skippers shall be divided equally between the two series with those totaling the least points sailing in the Presidents' Cup series. Skippers tied for the last qualifying position in the Presidents' Cup series shall be entitled to sail in that series as shall the odd Skipper should the number to be divided be unequal.

B–FINAL SERIES

1. The number of races scheduled in each of the final series, Championship, Presidents' Cup and Governors' Cup, shall be six, five of which will be scored. If, at the end of scheduled racing, two races or less have been completed, the final results of the Qualifying Series (including ties) will be counted as one race in the Championship Series, Presidents' Cup and Governors' Cup. 
   
   In case the defending North American Champion chooses not to sail in the Qualifying Series, his or her average points for the race(s) sailed in the Championship Series will be counted as one race. This changes RRS A2 and shall be included in the Sailing Instructions to be valid.