During the Governing Board Meeting on August 15, this proposal was referred back to committee.
The following proposal has been presented and will be up for vote at the Governing Board Meeting that will be held during the North American Championship (August 13-19), Rochester, New York. Please review the proposal and let Chief Measurer, Bill Clausen, or any member of the Executive Committee, know if you have any questions.
Throughout its history the Lightning Class has always been open to evolution in order to adjust to the changes present in our sport. No stranger to this, our hull number’s and country insignia’s position on the main sail have also evolved since the first Lightning sailed out. Our current layout has been around since the late seventy’s, and we feel it’s time to update it.
The proposed change has two objectives: Compliance with the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and Looks.
Our current layout does not comply with RRS Appendix G. In order to comply, if the country insignia is placed on the sail it has to be located just above the hull numbe. With the current layout it is separated.
The second objective is looks. The proposed change leaves the country insignia in a position where it has more space, and also assimilates current trends in contemporary sail layout design. One last characteristic of this proposal is that it formalizes the position of the flag, but leaves this as an optional alternative for specific events.
These changes will not add any additional costs to the sails and will only be required on new sails, all current sails will not be affected and may be used as long as the owner wants.
Proposed Amendment - ARTICLE V - SAILS
75. Racing numbers, national sail letters, and the Class emblem will be on both sides of the main sail. The Class emblem shall be located between the top and middle battens, the national sail letters will be staggered on each side and located just above the middle batten, and the racing numbers shall be staggered on each side and located below the middle batten. The country flag (optional, except when required for a specific event) shall be located on the starboard side just below the bottom batten.
Racing numbers with an optional class emblem will be on the outside of the spinnaker or may be placed on both sides within the area designated by World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing.
Numbers will be 300 mm (12”) minimum height and 200 mm (8”) wide except for the numeral one. The size of Country Flags may be defined by the Organizing Authority and the ILCA Executive Committee.
Appendix G1.3 (d) of the RRS is amended so that National Sail Letters on the spinnaker are not required. (March, 2007)
Current ARTICLE V — SAILS
75. Racing numbers and the Class emblem will be on both sides of the main sail, and be located above the middle batten as per Plans, and racing numbers with an optional class emblem will be on the outside of the spinnaker or may be placed on both sides within the area designated by ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing. Numbers will be 300 mm (12") minimum height and 200 mm (8") wide except for the numeral one. Boats sailing in international events shall be identified by national sail letters as defined by the ISAF. Appendix G1.3 (d) is amended so that National Sail Letters on the spinnaker are not required. (March, 2007)