February 2017 Update

Welcome back to team sailing, we hope trainings are progressing well.

Note that the closing date for entries for April's Team Sailing Nationals is 31st March, which again, due to printing deadlines, is before some regional events have finished. This year, entries are via the online Entry Form, but refer to the NOR for required & essential info, before attempting to complete the entry. As always, please pay particular attention to #4 Eligibility, including entry requirements and Appendix X.

Note that a $500 travelling discount is being offered for South Island teams, this year. Also remember Clause #7 - Sailing Instructions. The Race Committee again intends that the warning signal will be made at 3 minutes before the start as normal, but the preparatory signal will be made at one minute before the start instead of the normal 2 minutes. This reduces the time before the start, when the rules of Part 2 apply, and therefore during which boats can be penalised, to only the last minute before the start. This change has been introduced in an effort to reduce the amount of rapid manoeuvring before the start, which frequently results in damage to boats.

At the time of entry could you advise if any of the entrants have any medical issues that we should be aware of, please.

Please also note that all supporters (as well as competitors) must wear buoyancy vests while afloat. This includes the change-over vessels and any other support boat. Make sure these are brought with you.

A reminder that all members of a secondary school sailing team who participate at either regional or national events must be junior members.

This year the fee for a Junior Member is $1 - this will be included in the SSNats entry. However, sailors in teams who attend regional events, but not SSNats must become members - we ask that the organisers of regional events collect the relevant sailor details (name & address) and fee, then forward to the Secretary, NZTSA. This is not a revenue gathering exercise, but a method of registering members.

Regionals organisers please adjust your NORs accordingly if necessary. Schools entered in SSNats, automatically become Associate Members and will be entitled to vote on any NZTSA matters. Other teams, etc (e.g. attending regionals only) may also apply for membership and therefore, be entitled to vote, too.

The annual teams umpire course is scheduled to be held on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 April, at Sandspit Yacht Club, Sandspit. Further updates will be emailed and also posted on the website www.nzteamsailing.co.nz and/or the face book page www.facebook.com/New-Zealand-Team-Sailing-Association1382277235350707/.

Any NORs or event reports can also be uploaded, if they are forwarded to nztsasecretary@gmail.com