**** spoken and then out to a local restaurant for chilli mud crab. Yeah; not bad.

Heat Four, Day Two. Another long beat in light air to the course area, Scott and Alice again, Jim second. Heat Five and Six in 8 to 10 knots same result for Scott and Alice. Heat seven the long run home in 12 knots another big win for the locals.

The end result was that Alice and Scott were too good, Debra and I managed a hard fought second, Jim third. The wind was light but reasonable and the water was good but tidal. We all had such good fun, that we want to go back for a world tittle next year. The plan is to sail from Changi to the Indonesian Island of Bantam about 10km. All our gear can go the ferry or on the club’s large rescue boats. The water is more open and less tidal there, the accommodation, food and drink cheaper. Bantam sailing would be out of a tropical resort.

We can get up to 14 Taipans in a container; a container from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne goes for about $1500.00. Airfares return to Singapore from those cities about $900 adult economy. With AHPC help who will get a dozen new sloops over there, we can get sailors from Europe, the USA, Thailand and Australia to sail against the then twenty local boats.

Start thinking about going now; you will have to pack your boat up straight after the South Australian Nationals. It is going to happen, be part of it. The dates to remember February 14th to 21st 2004.

David Elliott
SING 253.

Posted by Rob Wilson.

For up to date information on this event keep an eye on the Taipan Catamaran Association of Australia website:

http://www.taipan.asn.au

The Changi sailing club has the largest fleet of Taipans of any club. They currently have 13 Taipan 4.9's and expect to have a dozen more by the end of the year making a total of um....ah....um....25 4.9's in one club!!

Berthos may I place this repot on the F16 report page ?

To check it out go to ;

http://www.geocities.com/f16hpclass/F16HP_public_history.html

It is my intention to include all report send in to the F16 forum about event featuring Taipans, Stealths, F16's.

Wouter

Wouter,

Of course, feel free to use anything I post wherever you like. A lot of information, like the post above, I've 'stolen' from other places anyway.

Rob.

Interesting news mate..
Just a word of caution.. Three years ago AYF sent out a memo to my skiff association re the use of Australian, international and interdominion "titles".. It stated ISF controls the use of a sailing "world" title.. Just as AYF controls the use of "Australian Title".. Right now we arent recognised by any sailing authority as we arent an official class.. This is because we dont have a recognised class structure.. Althought Im told this is being put into place..

So we cant use in Au "state" "National/Australia" or "world/international" Championships.. Pedantic I know.. BUT important if one wishes to compete in any Australian T4.9 titles.. The memo stated by competeing in an unauthorised "title" one is stripped of his or her AYF membership and thus cant legally compete with AYF members for any AYF title until that membership is renewed by payment to the club, and thus the state and national body, or private subscription to the national body.. I would hate to see Ashby or Irwin ect stripped of a world or Au title because we called a race a "title"..

Just thunking...

ps yes stripping for this reason has its been done before.. I recall but not certain this was used against a H16 crew in some title.. Hence the reason for the letter/memo

pps Im in Perth so can you send the continer via here????

ppps how welcome will non T4.9s be at the cup?

You pay us duties or we'll harash all you class members till you do. Didn't the maffia pioneer tactics like this ?

The question now becomes ; what will the AYF do when we prevent using these describtions and name our events.

-1- Global Taipan 4.9 Challengence / Global F16 challenge
-2- New South Wales Taipan challenge / New South Wales F16 challenge
-3- South East Asia Region Taipan Challenge / South East Asia region F16 challenge
-4- Sanzaus region Challenge for South Asia New Zealand australian

If they hit us then now than they are really running a protection money scheme and can be taken to court.

Wouter

Certain concepts, words, and ideas cannot be protected or monopolized legally. "World Championships" is one such concept. It sounds like the international sailing organization uses scare tactics to assure control. True control comes from offering a service that benefits those willing to play by the controlling body's rules. So there's surely no LEGAL reason not to hold a Taipan World Championship.

Having said that, my own perspective is that holding a race with lots of boat from Australia and a few boats from Thailand or Singapore really isn't a "world" championship. You could call it that, but only a sliver of the world is represented. In Soccer, a tournament between 3 or 4 countries wouldn't be considered a World Cup. Yes, it would be an international event (inter-nation-al=between nations), but not WORLD, as in many nations or continents involved.

Based on what I'm reading here on on the Yahoo Taipan list, it may be difficult to meet the international body's rules to be able to hold an officially sanctioned Taipan world championship. Just not enough boats on enough continents. Most of the boats are in Australia. One way around this is to just thumb your noses at the international body. But it still isn't much of a "World" championship.

How about another approach:

Focus all efforts on getting the F16HP class officially and internationally recognized, set up the necessary organization for preparatory contests, and look forward to an official and internationally sanctioned F16HP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. At this point, most of the boats are still Taipans, but it would allow inclusion of many other continents with their (small but growing) classes. Sure, the Taipan sailors would have to sail with spinnakers (oh, gee, twist my arm). Expanding the F16 concept will likely sell more Taipans on more continents. Its relative longevity speaks for itself already. And it would add excitement and flavor to see other "marques" competing and innovating.

Eric makes some good points.

I've been discussion with class officials and builders the possibility of getting sailors from several places in the world together and have a race venue.

I've requested info from the ISAF and receives the recognition / int status rules as well as the required fees.

Well even if we had the number of members than the fees would have to be raised too.

By the way,does anybody want to know the rules on it, i can post it on the forum if you want to ?

Anyways I was faced with the same problem and I know the iF20 class was hassled too by the ISAF. So I've been playing around with the idea for a while and came up with this :

We call our event something like :

Global Formula 16 Challenge

It will be held as a Cup event open to all interested sailors from around the globe. When the number of charter boats is sufficient than each regional (USA, EU, AUS, S-Africa, S-Asia) champion is invited to measure his skills against the Global challenge winner of the last time.

Ergo the holder of the cup is invited to defend his possesion of the cup or vacate it for next year Cup event.

Sort of in the same way the USA champion was awarded a free charter boat and lodging for the Taipan nationals.

In addition to these 6 competitors 5 regions (as of now) and the defending crew (6) we will have any number of wildcards to crews bringing their own boats or arranging their boats locally.

Of course the Global challenge winner will have won of the best class sailors from the whole globe who were willing to come ; therefor the status of the cup will be reflected on the participation of the event. In time the number of regions will increase and it will becomes almost identical in status as an ISAF sanctioned World championship. And of course a Cup or challenge event is still a cup or challenge event when the number of participants from one area are heavily represented. Although the idea is to travel the event around.

I've spoken to the builders and in principle they are willing to put the charter boats together. With 5 regions and 3 builders in 2003 (Taipan, Stealth, Blade) I think we stand a good change of heaving enough boats for the invited champs to just fly in and race on a supplied boat.

For the wildcards we'll try to arrange transport and sorts.

Now I don't think that ISAF has a problem with Nationals as then they would have come down on the Taipan class long ago. So we can define that an invitation will be given to the nationals of each region. Regions with alot of small countries (europe) can either hold an Open Dutch nationals or so inviting sailors of all other states or a region could name a single event that will determine who will get the invitation for that region. Defacto becoming an unofficial European championship or something.

I also think the name Global Formula 16 challenge sounds good, just as European Formula 16 challenge and South-Asian
Formula 16 challenge sounds good.

But best of all we can keep ISAF of our backs as it is a Global CHALLENGE and not a Championship nor a Championship of the World. And we can hold on to those annual 1000 English pounds = 1700 US$ and stay independent.

What do you think, any comments, suggestions or remarks ?

Wouter

Stewart,

As to your question about non Taipan's being welcomed at the Monsoon cup, I have no doubt that any cats would be welcomed. There were a number of Nacras at the Monsoon Cup this year.

As to the question about the container going via WA, I don't know the answer to that but it would seem not to be very practical. It's probably as far from Sydney to Perth as it is from Sydney to Singapore.

The discussion about containers of boats was actually refering to the international Taipan regatta (or whatever it ends up being called) in March next year. I have heard no mention of a container load of boats heading over for next year's Monsoon Cup. The three Australian crews that sailed there this year used local boats and didn't take their own. There would be no reason of course that you couldn't organise a container from WA to go over for the Monsoon cup. It sounds like a great sailing trip for sure.

Rob.

Wouter, having read your post I do understand why you feel that ISAF recognition is not important, though I`d just like to share my experience : I have contacted ISAF about getting a recognised handicap for the Mosquito, and found their response to be helpful at all times. I have been unable to get the Australian & South African Mozzie class officials to agree on certain points, and have thus been unable to submit the info to ISAF for inclusion in their official handicap list, so we have used their formula to establish an unofficial ISAF h/cap used for open class racing in South Africa only.
The down side of not having ISAF recognition / backing is that when competing in open class events, we submit our handicap rating to the event organisers, including the ISAF spreadsheet with all our statistics as supporting evidence, only to find that the event organisers in many cases have "adjusted" our handicap to alter the results whenever we appear too high up in the finishing positions. In most cases this occurs because the event was organised / run by the Hobie class association, in which case it is in their interest to see their own boats filling the top positions.
(The Dart class has avoids sailing with us for fear of embarrassment).
My feeling is that if we had an official ISAF handicap, no event organiser would be able to behave in this way without serious repurcussions, as we could take the matter up with our own controlling body, as well as ISAF should this become necessary.
Furthermore, in your situation, in order that sailors in other classes take us seriously, I feel that it would be important to gain ISAF recognition and inclusion. I know that there are costs involved & obviously if the support base for the class is currently too small then it may be something that we work towards in the medium term, and in the short term have unofficial regattas, but we should always try to run the class in a manner which does not seem like a renegade class which is trying to avoid the systems in place which could ultimately help us to grow.
Just my opinion, beat me with a wet fish if you disagree.

Steve

Steve,

you make the error of equating ISAF international status or having recognized status with having an ISAF handicap rating.

The Formula 16 class has a ISAF handicap rating and is part of the list of rating. And indeed the guys at the ISAF were very helpful.

The international or recognized status is a special and much more restricted membership and only a dozen classes have that. Nearly all are hobie classes.

Now we are getting close to satisfying ISAF requirements, we already satisfy the geographical distribution requirement but need to work on the others.

I also think that it may be expensive in the beginning but definately afterwards when we are medium sized than I think joining ISAF may well be wise. but by that time the cost to the members is only a few bucks per year.

Wouter

Can you post the ISAF requirements for a recognised association and costs...
Also can each fleet or fleet chairman post the required list from their respective national body?
I know in WA (Au)I need at least 3 boats to form an association for YAWA.. But that gives us free 3rd party insurance and title rights.. Till then I have to hope the club covers me..

PART V - CLASSES AND CLASS ADMINISTRATION


26. ISAF INTERNATIONAL AND RECOGNIZED CLASSES

26.1 Classes which offer a high standard of international competitive sailing and satisfy the respective criteria set out below may be designated as ISAF International or Recognized Classes.

Obtaining designation as an International or Recognized Class

26.2 To be designated as either an International or Recognized Class, a class shall be recommended for designation by the Sailing Committee to the Council and must receive a majority vote of the Council.

26.2.1 In order to be so designated a Class must have:

(a) an active Class/Owners Association;

(b) a Constitution passed by a pre-existing Class/Owners Association and approved by the Sailing Committee and the Constitution Committee containing at least:

(i) the name of the class,
(ii) provision for control by a Class/Owners Association,
(iii) an elected Board and Executive Committee,
(iv) an Executive Committee, including at least the Executive Officers,
(v) a statement of the objectives of the class,

(c) a set of class rules in the ISAF Standard Class Rules format, and adopting the Equipment Rules of Sailing, approved by the Sailing Committee. The Sailing Committee may approve an exemption to either requirement if in its opinion the class rules are satisfactory and well established;

(d) demonstrated, either by confirmation from the requisite number of Member National Authorities set out below or a listing of registered boat owners, that it is ‘actively racing’;

(e) (i) in the case of International Classes, in at least six Member National
Authorities which are from at least three continents and meet the following criteria as to the number of boats per country according to size:

LOA Boats per country

Up to 7.6m 20
7.6m to 9.0m 10
9.0 to 12.0m 6
12.0m to 15.0m 4
above 15.0m 2
Windsurfers 50

(ii) in the case of Recognized Classes, in at least four Member National Authorities or three Member National Authorities which are from two continents and meet the following criteria as to the number of boats per country according to size;

LOA Boats per country

Up to 5.0m 20
5.0m to 6.5m 15
6.5m to 7.6m 8
7.6m to 9.0m 7
9.0m to 12.0m 6
12.0m to 15.0m 2
above 15.0m 1
Windsurfers 30

LOA Boats Worldwide

Up to 5.0m 100
5.0m to 6.5m 80
6.5m to 7.6m 60
7.6m to 9.0m 30
9.0m to 12.0m 25
12.0m to 15.0m 20
15.0m to 20.0m 12
above 20.0m 8
Windsurfers 100

(f) paid an application fee as established by the Council from time to time;

(g) The requirements of 26.2.1(e)(ii) may be waived by the Council, upon recommendation of the Sailing Committee, when considering a class which serves a unique aspect of sailing.

For the purposes of these regulations “continent” means any one of Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

26.3 There shall be an executed agreement between the ISAF Ltd., the Class/Owners Association and where relevant the Trademark, Trade Name and the Copyright Owner. This agreement shall include at a minimum the following matters:

(a) define, if any, the ownership of the Copyright, Trade Name and Trademark and establish the rights granted and the responsibilities, obligations and restrictions that apply to the use of such rights generally and among the parties to the agreement;

(b) where a licensed builder system is to be adopted, establish the procedure for granting licences and the control of the licensed builders;

(c) agree on the amount of the ISAF fee for each boat which is recommended as 0.4% of the average retail price of a complete new boat without sails as a guideline for negotiation;

(d) define the method of issuing and using ISAF plaques, if any, Sail numbers, Measurement forms, Measurement certificates, changes to class rules and any other documentation affecting the ownership and the use of the boat;

(e) provide that the Class organization and members of the class shall act in accordance with the ISAF Constitution, Rules and Regulations.

World Championships for Classes granted provisional status

26.4 A class which has been granted provisional status by the Council shall, pursuant to Regulation 18 hold a World Championship in the period between the receipt of a fully documented application for such status and the granting of full International or Recognized Class status. The determination of whether a fully documented application has been received shall be in the sole discretion of the ISAF.

26.4.1 Where a World Championship of a Class granted provisional status is held (pursuant to Regulation 18), an ISAF appointed representative shall be present to assess the class, both in terms of participation and organization.

26.4.2 If the election of Class Officers has not taken place, it must be done during this World Championship, prior to final ISAF approval being granted.


Regulations on Administering International or Recognized Classes

26.5 To maintain its ISAF designation an International or Recognized Class shall:

(a) Be known as the International or Recognized XYZ Class and should use the approved ISAF Classes Logo in all Class publications, advertising or promotions;

(b) Properly administer its affairs and maintain its objectives in accordance with its Constitution, Class Rules, its Agreement with the ISAF and these Regulations;

(c) Provide the ISAF with up-to-date copies of all Class publications including the Constitution, Class rules, Measurement Forms, One Design Specifications and Class Newsletter, if any, and unless otherwise stated in the Agreement, the Class shall be responsible for regular updating and publishing all of the above mentioned publications and ensuring that updated class rules are published before the rule amendments come into effect;

(d) Send the ISAF the dates for the next year’s major championships (world and continental) by 01 August each year. No alteration in the championship dates are to be allowed after the Annual ISAF Meeting without the approval of the ISAF, the host National Authority and the Class/Owners Association;

(e) Send the ISAF a completed annual report on the activities of the Class, success in maintaining its objectives, current membership, boat registration and financial status prior to February each year (third party ratification may be required to substantiate these figures). Failure to file a complete annual report shall automatically result in a review of the ISAF recognition of that class;

(f) Not permit the organizers to amend, suspend or override the Class Rules in the Notice of Race of Sailing Instructions for Class events without the prior approval of the ISAF, a Class event being an event initiated and controlled by the Class/Owners Association without any alteration to the Class rules;

(g) Organize its measurement procedures to properly maintain the objectives of the class rules and shall:

(i) appoint a technical and/or measurement committee;

(ii) appoint a technical representative who is a member of the class technical/measurement committee and authorized to discuss class technical matters with the ISAF;

(iii) maintain a register of all class measurers’ name and addresses, a copy of which shall be supplied to the ISAF;

(iv) request all class measurers to be members of their National Authority measurement network if one exists;

(v) keep all class measurers informed with respect to class rule changes and interpretations, and, if practical:

1. have sufficient ISAF recognized class International Measurers (see Regulation 35) to represent the class regionally,
2. ensure that at least one class International Measurer attends the ISAF Measurement/Technical Symposiums,

3. have at least one class International Measurer present at the class World Championships,

4. organize regular class measurement seminars to train class measurers with the class International Measurers as instructors,

5. authorize only class International Measurers to measure prototypes of moulded production boats.

26.6 Use its best efforts to ensure that the National Association is affiliated to the relevant ISAF Member National Authority. Class/Owners Associations shall require that individual boat owners shall be members of their National Class Association, if any, before racing.

26.7 When a licensed builder system is adopted, gain the approval of the ISAF and the relevant Member National Authority before appointing licensed builders,

26.7.1 Require ISAF plaques shall be affixed to all new boats to the extent provided in the Agreement;

26.8 Obtain the approval of the Member National Authority governing the proposed venue of its ensuing World’s Championship; and

26.9 Appoint an International Jury for the World Championships unless otherwise agreed with the ISAF.

Class Rule Changes

26.10 Unless otherwise stated in the agreement between the ISAF and the International or Recognized Class/Owners Association (“the Agreement”), the ISAF shall approve all class rule changes in accordance with the following procedures:

26.10.1 All rule changes submitted shall have been approved by the International or Recognized Class/Owners Association in accordance with its Constitution and Class Rules.

26.10.2 A request to change the Class Rules shall be made in accordance with Regulation 1, Notices and Submissions. An International or Recognized Class/Owners Association making a rule change submission is entitled to two, and should have at least one, representative at the Annual ISAF Meeting at which a rule change concerning its class is discussed. [The Class/Owners Association representative should be prepared to answer questions and give additional information concerning the rule change.]

26.10.3 When a change to the class rules is required between the Annual ISAF Meeting, approval for the rule change shall be decided by a Sub-committee consisting of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the appropriate ISAF Technical Committee, the Technical representative of the Class/Owners Association and the ISAF Technical Staff. If in the opinion of the Sub-committee the ruling involves a matter of principle or on the request of the Class/Owners Association it shall consult all members of the appropriate ISAF Committee, except those having personal involvement, before giving the ruling.

26.10.4 Once a change has been approved, the ISAF shall advise the Class/Owners Association, International Measurers, licensed builders and the Member National Authorities. A Class shall inform its membership of the approved changes.

26.10.5 Class Rules may not modify the Advertising Code, except as permitted under Advertising Code Regulation 20.4.4.

26.10.6 All amendments to class rules shall be effective from 01 March following the decision unless otherwise stated in the class constitution or in the submission.

Class Rule Interpretations

26.11 When sanctioned in the Agreement, the class may issue written Rule interpretations [or Rule changes] following a procedure specified in the class rules and/or constitution to clarify class rules but such interpretative changes shall not be used to change an existing rule. The class shall immediately advise the ISAF of any interpretations issued.

26.11.1 Where a sanctioned procedure for the interpretation of a class rule does not exist, interpretations may be made only by the ISAF in accordance with the following procedures;

(a) requests for an interpretation may be made to the ISAF from the following sources only: Member National Authorities, International and Recognized Class/Owners Associations, Copyright Owners, Trade name and Trademark Owners, Manufacturers of International or Recognized Classes and International Measurers;

(b) a request received by the ISAF from one of those sources shall be acknowledged and immediately sent to the Class/Owners Association;

(c) the validity of the interpretation or any alternative interpretation shall be decided by the Sub-committee formed and operated pursuant to Regulation 26.10.3;

(d) interpretations of the Class rules made by the Sub-committee shall be distributed by the ISAF as provided in Regulation 26.10.4;

(e) rule interpretations shall have the status of a class rule and, unless otherwise sanctioned in the Agreement, shall remain valid for a maximum period of 2 years or until superseded by a Class Rule change or modification carried out following the procedures of this Regulation.

Review of International and Recognized Status

26.12 All International and Recognized Classes shall be subject to regular review by the Sailing Committee (at least once every three years).

26.12.1 In the review the Sailing Committee shall establish whether or not:

(a) the International or Recognized Class/Owners Association has fulfilled its Agreement with the ISAF, properly administering its affairs and maintained the agreed objectives, and whether the original reasons for granting International or Recognized Status still apply; and either

(b) the class is actively racing pursuant to the relevant requirements of 26.2.1(d) (The recommended guidelines to ‘actively racing’ is considered to be at least the same number of registered boats as required for the new classes in that category seeking designated status); or

(c) is continuing to provide a significant contribution to the development of the sport, e.g. technical innovation; and

(d) that the class rules continue to support the objectives of the class and provide a reasonable framework for the technical control of the class.

26.12.2 If a Class fails to meet the above criteria, on the recommendation of the Sailing Committee, the Class shall be reviewed by the Council, and its status as an ISAF Class may be withdrawn.

26.12.3 If a Class is to have its status reviewed by the Council, the Class/Owners Association shall be notified and entitled to representation at the Council meeting.

Existing Agreements

26.13 In the case of agreements between the ISAF and International or Recognized Classes and Licensed Builders and Trademark, Trade name and Copyright Owners in existence prior to 30 November 1993, nothing shall be deemed to change the effect or validity of such agreements until the agreements are amended or replaced between the relevant parties, except that the review of Classes shall be carried out in accordance with the provision of Regulation 26.12 herein and the ISAF Status may be withdrawn.

Television Rights

26.14 Television rights in respect of:

(a) ISAF approved World Championships;

(b) ISAF Championships; and

(c) other ISAF Events.

In respect of the ISAF designated Classes are the property of the ISAF. Television rights in respect of the Olympic Regatta are the property of the International Olympic Committee and all monies derived from these rights allocated to the ISAF is the property of the ISAF.

International and Recognized Classes designated by the ISAF in accordance with Regulation 26 shall be automatically licensed without fee by the ISAF to such television rights and proceeds of such rights, subject only to the provisions of the Agreement required to be signed between the relevant Class/Owners Association and the ISAF.

Fees

26.15 Pursuant to Article 5(iii), the Council shall set the Annual Class fees which International and Recognized Classes shall pay. Such fees shall accrue from the date that the class’s application for International or Recognized Status is received at the ISAF Secretariat, but such accrued fees shall not be payable until the earlier of the date when the ISAF status is granted or until the next annual class fees are payable.

26.15.1 Pursuant to Article 13, and as an alternative to the penalties for International and
Recognized Classes in arrears of payments due provided for in Article 13, the Council may suspend any or all of the rights of such Class to hold World Championships or be selected for an ISAF event.

Extra info on rulings and such can be found at ;

http://www.sailing.org/regulations/default.asp


For Recognised status there is an application fee of GBP 750.00 and for International Status there is a fee of GBP 1000.00 This fee is to be paid before we can process the application and is not available for refund should the Class be rejected.

1 GBP = 1,62 US$

(c) agree on the amount of the ISAF fee for each boat which is recommended as 0.4% of the average retail price of a complete new boat without sails as a guideline for negotiation;

F16 average 12.500 Euro's / dollars 0,4 % = 50 bucks

You know what is funny, the document nowhere mentions one benefit in return. It could be that that is discussed in another section though. But they didn't send me that, so I will have to take some time to look for it.

Wouter

hey sounds a little like the US baseball cup...

Looking at the ISAF regs..
we still need formal national bodies

That shouldn't be a problem.