SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Governing the Races of the
LOUIS VUITTON CUP

Challenger Selection Races for the 30th Match for the America’s Cup
October 1999 - February 2000

1.1 The races shall be sailed under the Notice of Race and Conditions Governing the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Races for the 30th Match for the America's Cup October 1999 - February 2000 ("Conditions") including any amendments to those Conditions. Any information required under Racing Rule M2.1 which is not contained herein shall be as contained in those Conditions.

1.2 Of the 60 sails allowed in the Protocol, not more than 35 measured sails may be used by any Yacht Club through the completion of Round Robin 3 and not more than 45 measured sails may be used through the completion of the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals.

1.3 Appendix A provides information and instructions on the installation of the instrumentation frame to be installed on the stern of the yachts.

1.4 All racing yachts will display a Louis Vuitton Cup racing pennant in a location to be determined by and of a design, size and material to be designated by America's Cup Challenge Association (NZ) Limited ("ACCANZ"). Failure to display this pennant aboard the yacht may be protested only by the Race Committee.

1.5 Stated below are the additions to C2 of the Racing Rules of Sailing which went into effect on 1 June 1999. These rules are effective for these races.

(a) C2.8 Rule 17.1 is changed to: A boat clear astern that becomes overlapped to leeward and within two of her hull lengths of a windward boat that is not subject to rule 13 shall not sail above her proper course while the boats remain overlapped and less than that distance apart, unless as a result she falls astern of the windward boat.

(b) C2.9 Rule 18.2(a) is changed to: Except when rule 18.2(b) applies, when boats are overlapped, if the outside boat has right of way she shall give the inside boat room to pass the mark or obstruction, or if the inside boat has right of way the outside boat shall keep clear. If they are overlapped when one of them reaches the two-length zone, the outside boat's obligation continues even if the overlap is broken later. This rule does not apply if the outside boat is unable to give room when the overlap begins.

(c) C2.10 Rule 18.2(b) is changed to: If a boat is clear ahead when she reaches the two-length zone, the boat then clear astern shall thereafter keep clear. Rules 10, 11 and 18.2(a) do not apply, and rule 16 applies only if the right-of-way boat changes course away from the mark or obstruction. If the right-of-way boat passes head to wind, rule 13 applies and this rule no longer does.

(d) C2.11 Rule 18.3 is changed to: If two boats were on opposite tacks and one of them completes a tack within the two-length zone to pass a mark or obstruction, and if thereafter the other boat cannot by luffing avoid becoming overlapped inside her, the boat that tacked shall keep clear and rules 15 and 18.2 do not apply.

2 Notices to Competitors Top

2.1 Notices to competitors, including the time and place of protest hearings, the time and place of remeasurements and revalidations, and changes in Sailing Instructions, will be posted on the official notice board located at the ACCANZ Ltd office at 100 Halsey St., Level One.

2.2 Notices may also be placed in adjacent mailboxes designated for each Yacht Club, and may be sent by post, courier delivery, facsimile, or e-mail. However, a notice posted on the official notice board will be deemed to have been given to the Yacht Club concerned, her crew and all persons associated with the Yacht Club. Failure for such notices to be placed in mailboxes, or be received by post, delivery, e-mail or facsimile will not be grounds for redress.

3 Changes in Sailing Instructions Top

3.1 Any change made ashore to the Sailing Instructions will be posted before 2000 on the day preceding the day it will take effect

3.2 Any change made at sea to the Sailing Instructions will be advised to all yachts via the safety radio guarded by the racing yachts. Flag "Third Substitute" will be displayed from the Race Committee Start Boat until all affected yachts have acknowledged their receipt and understanding of the change.

4 Schedule Top

The schedule of races for the Round Robins, Semi-Finals and Finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup is contained in Appendix B. The pairing lists for all matches are contained in Appendix C. Appendix B and Appendix C are subject to change.

5 Course Locations Top

Various course locations have been established and are contained in Appendix D. The actual course location for the day will be selected based on the prediction of the breeze direction and will be promulgated by fax and/or e-mail before 0630 on those days when two races are to be conducted and before 0830 otherwise. A variation may be given at sea, either by hail, signal hoist, or by radio on a frequency to be advised

6 Course Diagram Top

The course diagrams are shown in Illustrations A and B to these Sailing Instructions. These diagrams show the order in which marks are to be rounded, and the side on which each mark is to be passed. All marks are to be rounded to starboard except at the start and the finish.

7 Course Signals Top

The approximate magnetic compass bearing from the center of the starting line to the first mark (Mark 1) will be signaled from the Race Committee Start Boat with or before the warning signal by displaying numeral course boards. This signal shall also be repeated from a Race Committee boat at the port end of the starting line.

8 Match Signals Top

Signals used during the starting sequences of all matches are described in Condition 3.6.

9 Other Signals Top

9.1 When the numeral pennant associated with the start of a particular match (see Condition 3.6) is displayed in conjunction with a signal, that signal will apply only to the match so identified.

9.2 When a signal is displayed alone, the signal will apply to all matches.

9.3 Signals made ashore will be displayed on a signal mast near the office of ACCANZ.

(a) Flag "AP", Answering Pennant, made ashore with two sound signals, means: "All races are postponed". If necessary to postpone the day's racing, this signal will be announced before 0630 on two-race days and before 0830 otherwise. The earliest time of the first warning signal for each course location will be posted before the lowering of Flag "AP" and, in accordance with Condition 14.1, this time will not be less than three hours thereafter. A notification providing the time of the first warning signal will be posted prior to or with the lowering of Flag "AP". That posting may be via fax and/or email but will also be posted on the official notice board described in Sailing Instruction 2 above.

(b) Any other signal made ashore at ACCANZ will be accompanied with a posting on the official notice board and a transmittal via fax and/or email.

10 Marks Top

10.1 Marks will be inflated tetrahedron buoys. The first mark laid at the end of leg one will be yellow. The first mark laid at the end of leg two will be orange. Thereafter, the color of the marks at the weather end and at the leeward end of the course will be alternated between yellow and orange, i.e., the next color at the weather end, if leg three is changed would be orange, and the next color at the leeward end, if leg four was changed, would be yellow. However, the end of the starting line and the finish line opposite the RC boat will be marked with a yellow buoy.

10.2 A stake boat may be stationed beyond the mark. The stake boat will display a panel or shape of similar color to the mark only when on station. Failure of a stake boat to be on station or to display her panel or shape will not be grounds for redress.

11 Starting Procedures and Signals Top

11.1 Matches will be started at 10-minute intervals in accordance with the system described in Condition 3.6. Neither Racing Rule 26 nor Racing Rule Appendix C3.1 nor Racing Rule Appendix C3.2(c) will apply.

11.2 A yacht shall not start later than 30 minutes after her starting signal.

11.3 Yachts shall not engage each other prior to the preparatory signal.

12 Starting Line Top

The starting line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the Race Committee Start Boat at the starboard end and the course side edge of an inflatable yellow buoy at the port end.

13 Individual Recalls Top

The identifying flag will be displayed on a staff from an up-course position on the Race Committee Start Boat. The sound signal will be a gun. In addition, the Race Committee will broadcast via the safety radio the color of the yacht's identification flag. No acknowledgement of this radio broadcast is required. Failure of the radio advice to be given or received will not be grounds for redress.

14 Abandonment and Postponements Top

14.1 Racing Rule C3.2(c) is changed in its entirety to read as follows: "When an abandonment or postponement signal is made, new warning and course signals will be made one minute after the lowering of the signal flag. Subsequent matches will be postponed accordingly. Yachts shall return promptly to the starting area in preparation for a new starting sequence."

14.2 If on any race day all matches are postponed or abandoned to a later day, they will be sailed on the next scheduled race day except that should all matches be postponed or abandoned to a later day on the last scheduled race day of a round or series, and if it is decided by the Race Committee that the races will be sailed on the first day of the next round robin instead of continuing the previous round robin until all races of that round robin are concluded, then the yachts will sail the postponed races in the configuration in which they are measured for the succeeding round robin. A new racing schedule will be posted by 2000 hours on the day of the postponement or abandonment.

14.3 If on any race day some but not all matches are postponed or abandoned to a later day, then the schedule for resailing the postponed and abandoned races will be posted by 2000 on the day preceding the resail and not later than the last scheduled race day of that round or series.

14.4 The Race Committee shall measure the wind in the starting/finishing area from a race committee boat for the purposes of complying with Louis Vuitton Cup Conditions 14.3(c) and 14.6.

15 Change of Course after the Start Top

15.1 A change of course will be signaled by a Race Committee boat travelling from the mark commencing the leg to be changed in a direction towards the yachts as they approach this mark. In addition to the signals required by the Racing Rules, an orange or yellow colored placard to indicate the color of the next mark to be rounded will also be displayed. Furthermore, the Race Committee will broadcast via the safety radio the approximate new magnetic compass bearing to the next mark. No acknowledgement of this radio broadcast is required. Failure of the radio advice to be given or received will not be grounds for redress.

15.2 If yachts approach from different directions as they come to the mark commencing the leg to be changed, and if it is not practical for a Race Committee boat to travel towards each yacht as they approach the mark, then the Race Committee boat will remain close to the mark while it displays the signals and sounds the horn.

16 Finishing Line Top

The Finishing Line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on a Race Committee boat at the port end and the course side edge of a yellow inflated buoy at the starboard end as the finishing line is viewed from yachts approaching to finish. The Race Committee boat marking the finishing line may be a different boat from the Race Committee Start Boat that formed the starting line.

17 Protests Top

17.1 Flag "Y" to be displayed in accordance with Racing Rule C5.1 shall be conspicuously displayed and shall be approximately 60cm on the hoist.

17.2 The protest flag to be displayed in accordance with Racing Rule 61.1 shall be red in color and shall be a minimum size of (approximately) 40cm x 30cm.

17.3 Written protests shall be lodged at the Umpires/Jury Office. Lodgment by facsimile will be accepted. The time limit (Racing Rule 61.3) shall be two and one half-hours from the time the last yacht in the affected match finishes its last race of the day.

17.4 Protest notices will be posted each day in accordance with Sailing Instruction 2 within 30 minutes after the protest time limit to inform competitors where and when there is a hearing in which they are parties to a protest or named as witnesses. Such protest notice will also be sent to the appropriate parties via email and/or fax. Failure to receive the notice via email or fax does not constitute grounds for redress. A notice posted in accordance with Sailing Instruction 2 will be deemed to have been given to the Yacht Club concerned, her crew and all persons associated with the Yacht Club

17.5 The Jury will hear protests in approximately the order of receipt beginning at the time posted with the protest notices.

17.6 A party bringing evidence that requires electronic or other special equipment shall provide such equipment.

17.7 In addition to the penalties prescribed by Racing Rule 64.1(c), when an infringement occurs to any rule, condition or sailing instruction when the infringing yacht is not racing, the Jury may cancel the points most recently awarded to the yacht before the infringement, or cancel the points next awarded to the yacht after the infringement, or make such other arrangement as it deems equitable.

17.8 The decisions of the International Jury will be final in accordance with Racing Rule 70.4.

18 Scoring Top

18.1 If a yacht retires or is disqualified in any race, the other yacht shall be awarded the race provided that she completes the race in accordance with the Sailing Instructions and within the time limits, or is granted redress under Racing Rule 62, except as provided in Racing Rule C12.4 (b). This changes the meaning of Racing Rule C10.4.

18.2 The scoring system shall be in accordance with Condition 8. With the exception of C12.4(b), the entirety of Racing Rules C12 and C13 are deleted.

18.3 In the case of a yacht withdrawing from any further competition after a round or series has commenced but has not been completed, then:

(a) The results of any matches in that round or series which were lost by the withdrawn yacht will stand.

(b) The remaining matches in that round or series involving the withdrawn yacht will be started and the yachts paired against the withdrawn yacht will be awarded points for a win provided that the yacht completes the race in accordance with these Sailing Instructions and within the time limits.

(c) The points won by a yacht that has withdrawn from a series shall remain with its Yacht Club.

19 Identification Top

19.1 The yellow and blue flags required by Racing Rule C4.1 shall be approximately 80cm x 60cm and displayed on the stern deck or transom.

19.2 Support boats associated with competitors shall be required to carry identification flags. Such flags and their means of display shall be as directed by the Race Committee.

19.3 The Race Committee will give notice of the identification of Race Committee vessels, spectator control vessels and other official craft.

19.4 While racing, an owner's representative (the 17th person) aboard a yacht shall be identifiable by means of clothing which contrasts to the clothing worn by the other persons on board.

20 Disclaimers Top

20.1 All those taking part in the regatta do so at their own risk and responsibility. Neither ACCANZ, its Race Committee, the Umpires, the International Jury, the Measurement Committee, any sponsor or supplier nor their respective members, employees, servants and agents, nor any of them, shall have any responsibility for loss, damage, injury, penalty, or inconvenience which might occur to persons or things, ashore or at sea, as a consequence of participation in any way in this regatta.

20.2 Neither ACCANZ nor its Race Committee shall have any responsibility for the seaworthiness of a yacht or the sufficiency or adequacy of its equipment.

20.3 Attention is drawn to Fundamental Rule 4 of the Racing Rules that states: "A Boat is solely responsible for deciding whether or not to start or to continue racing."

20.4 Neither ACCANZ nor the Louis Vuitton Cup Race Committee shall have any responsibility to provide rescue or medical services, at sea or ashore, or to provide any other form of assistance to the participants.

ILLUSTRATION A “Course A” Top

COURSE “A”

Leg 1: 3.25 Miles
Leg 2: 3.00 Miles
Leg 3: 3.00 Miles
Leg 4: 3.00 Miles
Leg 5: 3.00 Miles
Leg 6: 3.25 Miles

Total: 18.50 Miles

ILLUSTRATION B “Course B” Top

COURSE “B”

Leg 1: 3.25 Miles
Leg 2: 3.00 Miles
Leg 3: 3.00 Miles
Leg 4: 3.25 Miles

Total: 12.50 Miles

25 June 1999
The Race Committee
Louis Vuitton Cup - Challenger Selection Races for the America's Cup