Mary, sorry my head was still back in the F16 thread about non-ISAF classes. You are right of course that F18 is an ISAF class. I know we still disagree on the interpretation of Regulation 18.11 - what I believe it means for this case is that (a) only the NAF18 association can organize an F18 NA championship (which they are doing) and (b) if such an event is held in the US (for example) the class association must get the approval of the US Sailing (as the relevant MNA - Regulation 26.8 makes the same point for worlds). I'm sure someone here can tell us whether this happened for the current event.

However this is a separate issue from the one raised by Kirt about competitors being excluded from future events. I don't think there is a problem here. Regulation 19, quoted in part below, is the one that addresses this issue. From 19.4, the three grounds for suspension are (a) gross misconduct (RRS 69.2), (b) use of banned substances (RRS 5) or (c) competing in a prohibited event.

The definition of a prohibited event (19.4.1) includes non-approved world championships (19.4.1.(c)) and events organized by a body not affiliated with an MNA (19.4.1.(d) & RRS 88.1).

The only other clause that could be relevant is 19.4.1.(b) that makes reference to national or international events with certain prizes or benefits and which are not approved by the MNA or ISAF. Regulation 18.16.1 that is referred to here refers to prizes totalling over US$20,000. I don't think the F18 NAs falls into this category. (BTW, the reference to 18.16.1 seems a bit odd to me since the context there is umpire fees.)

So even if the NAF18 association had not, for example, got formal approval from US Sailing to hold the NA's, in my opinion this would not make it a prohibited event in the sense of causing the suspension of ISAF eligibility for competitors in that event.

Anyhow - whatever anyone thinks about all of this tedium, good luck to all the sailors this week! I hope they have a great time and that it is a memorable event for entirely positive reasons.

Mark.



Quote

19. ELIGIBILITY CODE

ISAF Eligibility Rules

19.1 A competitor whose ISAF eligibility has been suspended or revoked shall not engage in
any competition in the sport of sailing.

...

Suspension of ISAF Eligibility

19.4 After proper inquiry by either the national authority of the competitor or the ISAF Executive
Committee, a competitor’s ISAF eligibility shall be promptly suspended with immediate
effect, permanently or for a specified period of time
(a) for any suspension of eligibility in accordance with RRS 69.2; or
(b) for breaking RRS 5; or
(c) for competing, within the two years preceding the inquiry, in an event that the
competitor knew or should have known was a prohibited event.

19.4.1 A prohibited event is an event:
(a) permitting or requiring advertising beyond that permitted by the ISAF Advertising
Code;
(b) with prizes or other benefits referred to in Regulation 18.16.1 that is a national event
not approved by the national authority of the venue or an international event not
approved by the ISAF;
(c) that is described as a world championship or uses the word "world", either in the title
of the event or otherwise, and that is not approved by the ISAF; or
(d) that does not conform to the requirements of RRS 88.1, and is not otherwise
approved by the ISAF.
(e) that has not paid the ISAF Event Fees.