The Publisher
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Oct 12, 2007, 2:48 PM
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McMillan Cup - new requirements
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The regatta format for collegiate racing depends on the locale; some regattas are bring your own boat affairs, while others utilize the boats of the host school. For the later option, it is common for the host school to accept the burden of the event from A to Z, and that would include any damage that occurs to the boats. When the racing is done in sturdy doublehanded boats such as the 420, this onus is rarely prohibitive. However, when the same standard is applied to a keelboat fleet of 44-footers, and when damage occurs, the typical $300 dinghy repair can easily gain a couple more zeros.
Not too many schools have keelboat fleets available to them, but the Naval Academy does, and last year they absorbed a $30,000 repair bill from a collision during their McMillan Cup Regatta in the fall. As a result, the Academy hierarchy felt it was time to initiate stricter standards to insure that the collegiate sailors competing are sufficiently qualified to handle the Navy 44 boats. While it is still the Academy’s intent to encourage and support keelboat sailing in collegiate competition, they are hoping that the following regulations will help insure that such occurrences become less likely:
* Sailing resumes of each team's skipper and at least three other crew members must be submitted at least 3 days in advance of the event. These should outline their sailing experience specifically aboard larger keelboats in the roles they will be serving. Understand that USNA may refuse to accept an entry if in our judgment, these individuals do not have sufficient experience to safely lead a crew in the competitive operation of our boats.
* Teams who have not competed in Navy 44 events on a regular basis must attend a mandatory practice session the Friday before the event to become familiar with the operation of our boats. We will make a boat and safety officer available from 1300 to 1700 on the day preceding the event. Following this session, should the safety officer conclude that the crew is not competent to safely compete, the team's entry may be rescinded.
* A $1,000 damage deposit is now required from each team which will be held until after the event to cover any damage incurred to a Navy vessel or its equipment due to an improper or irresponsible action by that team. It is not our intention to nickel-dime competitors for typical minor issues, but rather to compel teams to exercise good judgment and avoid unnecessary risk while racing.
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