ORGANIZING AUTHORITY – VENUE
Dream Yacht and the Sailing Club of Aghios Nikolaos "AEOLOS" are organizing the 34th Blue Cup, which will be held from November 1st till November 8th, 2025, in the Saronic Gulf.
SECRETARIAT
The address of the secretariat and the Race Committee Office is at the Dream Yacht main office at 6, Eleftherias Ave - Alimos, Tel: +30 210 9850129, e-mail: [email protected].
RULES
The event will be governed by the following rules valid in 2025:
- The W.S. Racing Rules of Sailing (R.R.S.) for 2025-2028.
- The W.S. Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing. The Event is classified in Category 4. At this rule with the addition of life raft (OSR 4.20 cat 2)
- VHF channels 16, 68 and 69 are mandatory.
- The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea will replace the rules of Part 2 of RRS from the actual sunset to the actual sunrise.
- The present Sailing Instructions and any amendments were added to it.
- All boats will race under the ORC club rating rules.
In case of contact / collision between two or more boats the boat in claim is disqualified from the rest of the race. Additionally, the Protest Committee will be strict to apply rule 14 even to the right of way boat/s.
SPONSORING
The display of any advertisement of products on the participating yachts will be allowed only with the permission of the Organizing Committee.
ENTRIES
Entries are announced at the official web site of Blue Cup Regatta. The organizers reserve the right for last minute entries.
MERGING OF CLASSES
There will be 3 classes and the classification of boats participating will be distributed at the Check in of the boats.
The Race Committee reserves the right to merge the classes in accordance with the relative rules.
TIME CORRECTION SYSTEM, SCORING AND TIES
The boats will be rated under the ORC Club Measurement System and "Time on Distance" scoring will be applied.
The R.R.S. Low Point System will apply according to WS Appendix A. When fewer than 4 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores. When 4 to 6 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score. This change RRS A2.1. In the event of a tie this will be solved according to the R.R.S. A8.
CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS
The following charts are recommended: British Admiralty charts: 2682, 1657, 1038, Imray tera charts: G3, G14, G141, and G32.
The following publications are recommended: Greek Waters Pilot by Rod Heikell / Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd.
NOTICE TO COMPETITORS
Notice to competitors will be posted at the https://www.racingrulesofsailing.org/events/10112
that will be the official notice board.
PENALTY SYSTEM
A two-turn penalty will be applied to those who break a rule of Part 2 of RRS, or a rule of the International Regulations for Preventing of Collisions at Sea and one turn penalty to those who break a rule of 31 of RRS.
Decisions of the Protest Committee (penalty or disqualification) about incidents that happen at the start or during Leg 2 or Leg 4 are applying also to legs 3 or 5 accordingly. This rule will not apply when an alternative course is sailed instead.
SIGNALS
All signals will be given from the RC boat. Visual signals govern sound signals and those given through the VHF.
There shall be three separate starts for the three classes racing in the event. Classes will start the race according to their warning signals.
Class flags: Class flags will be:
- Class A Numeral pennant "1"
- Class B Numeral pennant "2"
- Class C Numeral pennant "3"
Warning signal: 5 minutes before each start the class flag will be displayed together with one sound signal.
Preparatory signal: 4 minutes before the start the code flag P will be displayed together with one sound signal.
One minute before the start, the code flag P is lowered together with one long sound signal.
Start: The start will be signaled by lowering the class flag, together with one sound signal. Boats starting later than 10 minutes after the starting signal shall be considered DNS.
|
SIGNAL |
FLAG & SOUND |
FLAG |
Minutes Before Starting Signal |
|
Warning |
Class Flag ↑ "1" or "2" or "3") |
   |
-5 |
|
Preparatory |
Flag "P" ↑ |
 |
-4 |
|
One Minute |
Flag "P" ↓ |
-1 |
|
|
Start |
Class Flag ↓ |
|
-0 |
Individual recalls: If at the starting signal any part of a yacht’s hull is on the course side of the starting line (OCS), the code flag X will be displayed on the RC boat together with one long sound signal. The Race Committee will try to announce on the VHF the prematurely started boats. If the above is not feasible this does not consist of ground for seeking redress. Such yacht(s) shall return to the prestart side of the starting line and start properly.
General recall: If at the starting signal there are a great number of/or unidentified prematurely started boats (OCS), the First Substitute of the International Code will be displayed on the RC boat, together with two sound signals and all yachts must return for a new start. A short time after the general recall, the First Substitute will be lowered together with one sound signal. Exactly one minute later the warning signal will be displayed for a new start procedure as described above.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/CHANGES TO THE SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
CODE FLAG "L", Ashore. If it is necessary to make an announcement or any changes to these sailing instructions, the International Code Flag “L” will be hoisted on the Race Committee boat. Such alterations will be announced on VHF Channel 68. Notices and results will be posted on the noticeboard located at the Race Committee boat.
CODE FLAG "L", Afloat. If the Race Committee judge that the wind is not sufficient enough, in order to save the race of the day, the International Code Flag "L" will be hoisted as the "Follow me" signal and all the boats shall follow the R.C. boat to a new place of start, for a shortened course. Instructions will be given through VHF.
POSTPONEMENT FLAG (Answering pennant) Ashore. If the postponement flag is hoisted ashore along with two sound signals, there will be a postponement of the start for at least one hour. Announcements shall be made through VHF as well.
ABANDONMENT OF A RACE
In case of lack of wind or heavy winds the Race Committee may decide to abandon a race that has already been started. In this case code flag “N” will be hoisted, along with three sound signals, on the Race Committee boat and an according announcement shall be given through VHF.
SHORTEN COURSES
The Race Committee reserve the right to shorten the day’s course in any gate mentioned. In this case the code flag "S" will be hoisted, along with two sound signals. (RRS32.2 is in effect). In this case the finishing line will be between the gate marks. The time limits for the shortened courses are the same as the complete courses unless the race committee announces a different one. Additionally, the Race Committee reserves the right to start a new race from that gate to the rest of the announced course. In this case the time limits for the new course will be changed accordingly.
RECORDIND TIMES AT GATES
The Race Committee will record the times for each boat passing through a gate, that is not a finishing line or a shorten course was given. These times will be used as finished times of the Race, in case no boat finished the complete race, or the race is abandoned before the first boat passing the finishing line of complete course, or as finished time of each boat did not finish the complete course. In this case the boat shall be scored for the places of the last boat scored for the complete race plus two up to DNF. This changes RRS 35, A5.1, A5.2 and A4.
RACE COMMITTEE POSITION DURING START & FINISH
It may be necessary to place the “RC” flag and / or the blue flag from the RC boat on land or the opposite. The buoys will remain as described. The drawings of this booklet showing the start / Finishing Lines are indicative. The position of the RC boat and the buoy might be otherwise.
COMMUNICATION
All yachts are instructed to switch to VHF channel 68, which will be used by the Race Committee for starting and finishing procedures. The RC will listen on VHF channel 68. Communication on channels 16 and 6 will only be allowed for emergency reasons. Information will only be given by visual signals or written notice or orally on the water using VHF channel 68. The signals and the notices will be posted at the official notice board “Signal Ashore” & “Notices”. Notices will be send also by e-mail and / or WhatsApp messages. (RRS 90.2c) In the case of traffic on channel 68, channel 69 will be used alternatively after an announcement through VHF.
Code Flag “V”
When the race committee displays flag V with one sound, all boats and official and support vessels shall, if possible, monitor the race committee communication channel (68) for search and rescue instructions (RRS37).
ENGINES
Engines shall be turned off before the Preparatory Signal (-4 minutes). Any use of the boat’s engine (battery charging, refrigerator cooling, propulsion to avoid collision, etc.) shall be noted to the Race Committee during the race or right after the boat crosses the Finish Line.
RETIREMENT
When a yacht is retiring from a race for any given reason, the skipper of the boat shall inform the Race Committee as soon as possible through: VHF channel 68 or WhatsApp message or by phone call.
DRONES
Flying devices should not be used by the competitors during racing (RRS 41 "Outside Help"). The Protest Committee will apply a penalty or disqualify the boat that uses it.
Tracking System
All participating yachts will be equipped with a tracking device. The Protest committee will apply a penalty or disqualify the yacht that disconnects it.
ENTRY DISCLAIMER - RESPONSIBILITY
All boats participating in the 33rd Blue Cup 2024 do so under their own risk and responsibility. All skippers shall complete and sign the Official Statement requested by the Coast Guard.
Dream Yacht, the Organizing Committee, The Protest Committee, the Race Committee and any other person or body involved in the organization of the event expressly reject any responsibility for material or personal damages that may occur because of the participation in the races covered by this Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.
Attention is drawn to Fundamental Rule 3, “Decision to Race”, RRS Part 1, which establishes: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone”.
CREW LIST
The skippers of the participating boats must submit a crew list with the full names of all persons aboard, until October 11, 2024, at 16:00 hours at the secretariat of the Blue Cup. It is mandatory that skippers provide their e-mail address and their mobile phone number for WhatsApp communication.
Changes in the crew composition are permitted, provided that the Race Committee is advised in writing, not later than one hour before the start of every race. For safety and responsibility reasons concerning the person in charge of a boat and the Race Committee, the identification of a wrong or inadequate crew may disqualify the boat in the race.
INSURANCE
All participating boats in the 33rd Blue Cup shall have third party insurance cover.
ALL YACHTS MUST DISPLAY
- The Blue Cup pennant from the port spreader.
- Their race number is on bow rails. Both will be provided at the check-in or at the Skippers' meeting.
RESTRICTIONS-SAFETY PRECAUTION
All yachts must race with their standard charter sails provided by the Dream Yacht sail inventory. Spinnakers, spinnaker, and whisker (a spar attached to the mast and connected to a headsail clew) poles are not allowed on the Blue Cup, according to RRS 55.3 changed as. “No sail shall be sheeted over or through any device that exerts outward pressure on a sheet or clew of a sail at a point from which, with the boat upright, a vertical line would fall outside the hull or deck. Attention is drawn also to RRS 42 and specially RRS42.2 “Prohibited Actions” and RRS 49.2 “Crew Position, Lifelines”.
During the race all boats must have their anchors stored in their anchor lockers. Failing to comply with this instruction may result in disqualification of the boat.
All yachts must race with the standard charter / safety inventory. No equipment could be removed from yachts.
PROTEST REQUIREMENTS
Display the Red Flag at the time of incident until no longer racing, inform the protestee at the first reasonable opportunity (may use the VHF Channel 68), inform the Race Committee at the Finishing Line, complete and deliver the protest (in writing) at the Race Committee Boat within two hours after the last boat in the race finishes.
SAILS
Please take care of your sails. If the wind is strong, please remember to reef early, in accordance with good seamanship in the prevailing conditions. Although we can repair minor sail damage, such as re-stitching split seams, we have no facilities during the event to repair more serious damage than this. Sails damaged beyond repair during the event will not be replaced, so please bear this in mind and race within the capabilities of your yacht’s rig. Please do not carry full sail in strong winds!
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Any changes to the sailing instructions will be given or by written notice to the participants, or by WhatsApp message and they will be will be posted at https://www.racingrulesofsailing.org/events/10112
Changes may be given orally during the race through the VHF (channel 68)
Concerning the racing legs, the written description is precise, whereas the diagrams and pictures are indicative.
TROPHIES AND PRIZES
- The prize for the 1st overall winner is one-week free charter on a 4-cabin monohull yacht at any base of Dream Yacht (depending on the availability and excluding the high season period.).
- Cups will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winner of each class.
- Cups will be awarded to the first winner of each class for every individual race.
- A diploma will be awarded to all crew members of the participating boats.
- Award will be given for the winners of the” Fancy Dress Contest”.
FLAGS USED BY THE RACING COMMITTEE
Category Flag Warning Signals
