simmo

OK, so "lay line " is undefined. So presumably there cannot really be a "correct" one? RRS does not appear to provide a definition of "close hauled" on a word search, but it is something a boat tacking from port to starboard in the zone is not allowed to require a starboard boat to sail above. Is there a clear WS definition and I've missed it? (It's mentioned in Case 132 - is there a widely agreed implied definition from that, if so what is it?)

Thanks John, I know fetching exists in the RRS. What interests me in the context of this discussion is "layline" or "correct layline". I'm not an expert on the RRS, so I may not be understanding this correctly, but fetching would seem to include a boat sailing significantly higher the course that would yield maximum VMG to windward. Is that right? Would a boat with, for example, only the aft third of its jib & main full be fetching? I may be wrong, but I get the impression most skippers tend to think of 'layline' as something a little different to the highest course a boat could possibly sail in order to round the mark without passing through head to wind. When people refer to having been tacked underneath when "on the layline" or "on the correct layline" what *exactly* do they mean?

Quite a few of the comments refer to "lay line", "layline" or "correct lay line", so it looks as if it's a fairly pivotal concept, al least in the minds of skippers, to understanding the windward mark rounding rules people think might be improved. Have I just missed it in a search of the Racing Rules (apart from a couple of casual mentions in passing in the Casebook eg Case 132) or is it not a defined term? How exactly is it defined?

By the way, the IOMICA website does not seem to display the resolutions (are they posted?). What type of resolution are you being asked to vote on: an ordinary one or a special one? The ‘class rule change’ also appears currently invalid per the IOMICA Regulations: “8.2. All amendments to IOM Class Rules shall be effective from 01 March following the decision of the World Council, or such later date that is at least 90 days after the date of the decision.” Note the use of the word “all”. There is no separate or alternative mechanism involving “emergency”.

There are troubling aspects to the “kicking strap emergency rule issued after the European Championship of 2024”, only some of which have been touched on above. But just on a procedural level, they are asking you to ‘ratify’ something as valid from the 12th February 2024 which would appear not to be valid at all. All proposed IOM class rule changes must be submitted to IRSA for approval prior to becoming valid. All previous IOM class rule changes have complied with this requirement. There was no evidence of this supposed rule change being submitted or approved on either the IOMICA or IRSA website and it is now understood it did not happen. The rule therefore cannot have ever became valid. Also, notwithstanding anything which might have gone on previously with "emergency class rule changes", the powers of the IOMICA Executive Committee are set out in and limited by the IOMICA Constitution. They appear to expressly preclude the Executive Committee from amending the Class Rules in the way IOMICA are claiming they have. From the IOMICA Constitution: “10.5. The Executive Committee has the authority to create and or amend regulations (except for Class Rules and Regulations pertaining to Membership and Voting). Such regulations shall come into effect immediately but are subject to ratification by the World Council at the next World Council meeting. This clause does not apply to the IOM ICA Constitution or Class Rules which can only be set in accordance with Article 8.8.1 of this Constitution.” So the Constitution says the only way changes to the class rules (or the Constitution) can be made is described below (Special Resolution at the World Council). "8.8.1. Proposals for amending this Constitution, or the IOM Class Rules, shall be by Special resolution to a meeting of the World Council. All other resolutions to the World Council shall be ordinary resolutions. 8.8.2. A Special resolution shall be passed only if 2/3rds or more of the votes cast are in its favour." This appears to offer quite strong protection against an Executive Committee making controversial changes to either the class rules or the Constitution and then, having created new facts on the ground, getting the IOM fleet to fall in line afterwards. It would seem incongruous were it actually possible to circumvent that protection by attaching the word "emergency”.