Specifications for the organisation of the Micro Cup – World Championship –
edition 1th December 2024
Changes to the previous version (2008) are marked by putting the added texts in Bold and Blue.
IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY NOTICE:
To avoid any confusion, there is ONE World Championship, hence ONE Champion, regardless of his Division. Claims to be e.g. “World Champion Micro Cruiser” are breaches of ISAF Regulation 18 and may lead to actions by ISAF. This notice is NOT new, just focusing attention on exact wording of Art 10.c of this Regulation.
1. Candidature
a. Bids to IMCCA
An IMCCA member National Class Association can pose a candidature for Organising a
World Championship by sending a letter with pictures or film 2 years before the proposed event.
Before the 31st of July in the year before the event the organisation has to specify the following points:
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- the venue (where, racing area, club);
- the proposed date;
- the history of the spot and the club (how many big events organised…);
- travel information (distance to bigger towns, highways, borders…);
- accommodation (prices for rooms, when to book…);
- information for accompanying people (tourist sites in the neighbourhood);
- IMCCA will entrust the task by writing a letter of intent to organize the World Championship to the local national organiser;
b. Promotion of Micro Class throughout the Organizers Event
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- The organizer is obliged to perform at its own expense in publicity;
- The organizer shall promote the Micro Class event on social media in public and private
- A promotional campaign of the event shall be held before the regatta.
- Reports (updates) of current developments during the regatta shall be visible on social medias;
- Publications of official results of the sports competition shall be available as fast as possible, preferably in realtime;
- During and after the sports competition, the organizer will provide IMCCA with photos and films from the event to promote Micro Class worldwide.
2. General Conditions
a. Duration
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- 7 days including 2 days for measurement controls. (If needed, an additional measurement day can be allowed if the number of expected competitors exceeds 40). Crews unable to show the boat for measurement on this additional day shall not be penalised. Boats that have not passed successfully the measurement are admitted to the races, but cannot compete and won’t be taken into rankings and awardings;
- The last day can be a Sunday and the last start should be possibility not later than 15:00 Hrs.
- The first day of racing can start with a practice round. Other races shall follow. If it becomes apparent that the racing day might risk not to take place or occurs reduced, the practice round is eliminated;
- There is no limit to the number of races in a day;
b. Number of races and race courses
The ideal program will plan to organise between 10 to 12 races with 10 short races and 1 or 2 long distance race(s).
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- Long distance race: 20 to 25 nautical miles, finish for the last boat not later than the exact minute of the sunset of that day. A second long distance race may be shorter: 12 to 15 nautical miles;
- Short races: Target time 45 to 60 minutes for the first boat; finish for the last boat not later than the exact minute of the sunset of that day;
Course types:
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- up-and-down with leeward gate (recommended);
- olympic trapezoïd;
c. Wind and waves conditions
The minimum wind velocity for racing shall be 3 knots;
The maximum wind velocity for racing shall be 26 knots (6 Beaufort), and the waves shall not exceed 2 metres;
d. Validation of shortened races
Shortened races will be valid if at least a upwind and a downwind are sailed.
e. Validation of the championship
The Championship shall be valid if at least three races are sailed.
f. Discards
One result shall be discarded if more than 3 valid races are sailed;
A second result shall be discarded if more than 8 valid races are sailed; Every type of race can be discarded;
g. Tie breaks
In case of a tie, the tie will be broken for the better place in the long-distance race, then on the medium distance race if any, further according to WORLD SAILING RRS App B 8.1 and 8.2.;
h. Time limits
The race committee chairman is in charge of the decision of the time limit. (In principle shall be allowed 30% of the time of the first in each division);
i. Boat distinctions
A different coloured pennant for each series (Cruiser, Regatta, Proto) will be displayed in the shrouds so that everyone can recognise their category rivals on the water.
3. Safety
The organisers shall commit themselves to follow the safety rules and regulations valid in the country where the Championship is organised.
A number of at least one safety boat for 20 competitors shall be provided, in addition of committee boats and in radio liaison with them. This number shall be adapted to the specificity of the spot.
4. Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions
a. Draft
The World Sailing standard notice of race, well-known as Appendix K, shall be used.
The draft notice of race shall be sent to the President of IMCCA for approval no later than 3 months before the race, and if possible before the annual meeting of IMCCA.
A mutual arrangement with the organisers and the IMCCA representative is desirable.
The notice of race should be available for all competitors not later than 3 months bevor the event;
b. Official notice of race
The official notices of race, written in English, shall be sent to the national representatives and other addressees no later than 3 months before the event.
They shall mention, in addition of items required by WORLD SAILING, the names and co-ordinates of a point of contact, able to give additional information.
Information about access to the spot and accommodation shall be appended to the Notice of Race.
c. Sailing Instructions
The WORLD SAILING-Standard Sailing Instructions well known as Appendix L shall be used.
The Sailing Instructions shall be approved by the IMCCA representative before the registration on site starts.
Each nation is allowed to propose a translated version of the race documents, but only the English version will prevail.
5. Entries
a. Entry fees
Shall not exceed 300 Euro, and shall include:
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- all taxes for racing, launching, berthing, free access and parking for the competitors;
- opening ceremony (see Social events);
- competitor’s souvenir (T-Shirt or equivalent);
In case, the organizer meets for various reasons the need of exceeding the up named fee limit, a budget augmentation with precise amount and reason can be proposed by written request to IMCCA. The Administration board and the national presidents will then take a decision.
b. Time limit for entry
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- The organizer will inform about the last entry for participation. (Recommended is, that the last participation entry shall not be less than 60 days before the beginning of the event);
- Unless circumstances beyond one’s control, late entries shall be accepted up to the beginning of the event, with fees increased by no more than 50%;
6. Committees and Jury
a. Jury
Shall be international, according to WORLD SAILING RRS Appendix N.
b. Race Committee
The chairman of the race committee shall be a World Sailing International Race Officer (see WORLD SAILING Regulation 18);
If not, IMCCA may appoint a Race Adviser (The whole race committee staff is to be paid by the organisation);
c. Measurement Committee
IMCCA will appoint the Event Chief Measurer, which has to be an official Micro Class Measurer;
The number of experienced measurers for the event measurement shall be no less than two for 50 boats expected or less. This number shall be increased by 1 for each 20 expected boats in addition. For each measurer, two assistants are required (volunteers);
Competitors and persons interested in the race (families, trainers, sponsors, ship builders) may not direct any of these committees;
Such persons may not be members of the measurement staff during measurement days, and are not allowed to measure any boat.
7. Organizer Rankings and IMCCA Representative
a. IMCCA Representative
IMCCA will appoint an IMCCA representative; he will be the contact person for the organisation before the event; it should be in order president, treasurer, secretary- general;
He / She shall be associated to all decisions concerning the conduct of the regatta;
He / She shall be allowed to receive free vittles’ as the organizing team;
He / She shall be given all necessary means to follow the regatta;
The highest IMCCA representative, weather competitor or not, is invited by the organizer;
The IMCCA representative shall be member of the Organising Committee, though he might be a competitor;
b. Organizers Rankings
In case, that the event is under World Sailing aegis, the following diplomatic hierarchy will prevail:
1 World Sailing President or other representative
2 National authority representative
3 Local authority representative
4 IMCCA representative
In according to the appearance, that ranking defines:
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- Opening of the Championship “I declare the XXX World Championship open!”;
- Closing of the Championship “I declare the XXX World Championship closed!”;
c. Organizers Rankings
In case, the event is under IMCCA patronage, all ceremonies will be led by the highest IMCCA representative;
8. Validation of Results
The organizer must ensure severely the world sailing race procedures and regulations protocol.
9. Infrastructure
a. Dimensions
The dimensions shall allow an Olympic course of at least 1 nautical mile upwind leg or up-and-down of 2 nautical miles (recommended);
b. Depths
Depths shall be no less than 2 metres over the entire sailing area;
c. Sailing Area
The sailing area shall be sheltered in order to limit waves to no more than 2 metres; As district and estuary can be chosen inland waters as well as coastal waters;
d. Courses
They should not extend to more than 5 nautical miles from a shelter / shore;
e. Safe Berths, Moorings
Safe Berths or moorings, reserved for the competitors, shall be available for all boats, with a depth of no less than 1,50 metre. For moorings, a shuttle service shall be organised in due time before and after the races.
f. Parking
A safe parking, if possible enclosed, accessible all days, shall be available for the trailers. Personal vehicles of the competitors should be allowed to park for a short time in the vicinity of the board to load or unload material. A permanent parking shall be available for the competitor, if possible free of charge, with permanent access.
g. Accommodations
Rooms shall be available in the vicinity of the berthing place of the boats for the Race Officer, Secretary, Jury, race committee and measurers. An information room or meeting place for the crews shall be available. The opportunities to buy drinks and snacks in the vicinity would be preferable.
h. Requirements for the measurers
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- a measurement hall, with a hard floor of at least 12 by 6 metres for sails measurement; in this hall, a measurement table of 8 by 2,70 metres and a height of 0,90 metre is highly recommended; a second smaller measurement table for headsails is recommended if the number of competitors implies two sail measurement teams;
- a crane with certified weighing scale (tolerance about 2%, weight scale about 1000kg);
- Calm area on the water near pontoons for stability and draught tests.
10. Social Events
Following social events shall be organised by the Organisation:
a. Opening Ceremony
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- On the evening before the first day of sailing;
- Welcome of all participating nations;
- Presentation of the Race Officials;
- Speeches (not too long);
- Opening (see 7.)
- Free welcome drink, snacks or buffet;
b. Sailors Dinner
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- On one evening during the event;
- At least a warm meal/participant and a drink/participant;
- E.g. may be with live music, dancing or something else, traditional or local character;
- Optionally prize giving ceremony for national or international achievements of the year. (Organised by IMCCA);
- Offer of the possibility to buy (food and drink) voucher for accompanying people;
c. Prize Giving and Victory Ceremony
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- On the last day of racing not too far from the site;
- Short speeches;
- Declaration of results beginning at the end of the list;
- The points for Racer and Cruiser rankings are given according to the points in the general ranking;
- Declaration of the 1st General as “Micro World Champion”;
- National anthems for all 5 category winners and flag fly of the three nations per category during the winner’s national anthems;
- Closing (see 7.)
c. Prize Giving Regulations
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- Each member of the winning crew must receive at minimum an individual medal (gold, silver, bronze), a trophy for the team must be also awarded;
- Prices for 1st, 2nd and 3rd on General;
- Prices for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Racer Division;
- Prices for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Cruiser Division;
- Price for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd female teams from the overall ranking;
- Price for the best under 26 team from the overall ranking. (All crew members must be aged under 26 years);
11. Craning and Slipping
Access to cranes and slipways – Courtesy Rule;
The organising authority shall organise access to cranes and slipways in order to facilitate handling of boats coming from far away;