RULES GOVERNING ALL LIGHTNING CLASS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

ARTICLE I - PURPOSE
1. These Rules shall govern the Lightning Class World Championship Regatta in accordance with Article XI of the By-Laws.

2. These Rules shall be supplemented by written Sailing Instructions that shall rank as Rules and may alter a Rule by specific reference to it. The Sailing Instructions shall be approved by the I.L.C.A. Executive Committee.

3. The Sailing Instructions shall not alter: ( i) Articles I through VII (ii) Article VIII, Paragraphs 2, 4, 5, and 9 of these Rules.

ARTICLE II - ORGANIZING AUTHORITY
1. The Lightning Class World Championship shall be organized by the International Lightning Class Association, either with the approval of a National Authority or in conjunction with a Club or Regatta Committee affiliated with a National Authority.

2. The responsibility of arranging for proper facilities, entertainment, awards, etc. shall rest with the Fleet in whose waters the series is held, but in no case can the series be held in a facility where the presence of overhead power lines could constitute a danger to participants.

ARTICLE III - PERPETUAL TROPHY
1. A perpetual award should be provided and should be inscribed to include the words "International Lightning Class" The trophy may be retired by any skipper winning it for the third time, if permitted by the Deed of Gift.

2. The perpetual trophy shall be held by the Fleet of the winner until the next Championship, subject to the order and approval of the governing authority.

3. Right, title, and interest in and to perpetual trophies shall always be in the name of the governing authority or the donor of the trophy, who may impose any conditions necessary to safeguard same.

ARTICLE IV - TIME AND PLACE
1. The World Championship shall be held in a different major geographical Area each time until each Area has either held the Championship or has declined to do so. Thereafter, the Championship shall be held in an Area which has not held it for the greatest length of time.

2. Major geographical Areas shall be North America, South America, and Europe. The Governing Board shall review these groupings at least each two years immediately following the World Championship and take such steps to revise this article as may be indicated by an increase or decrease in Lightning Class activity in all the areas of the World.

3. The exact time and location of the next World Championship shall be determined by the Executive Committee and shall be announced at least one year in advance of the date set.

4. The World Championship shall be held within the calendar year in the odd-numbered years.

ARTICLE V - ENTRIES
1. Qualifying races shall be conducted in accordance with these Rules. From any area, the competitor having the best score among those eligible, willing, and able to represent the area, shall be named their entrant. Those having the next best scores, in sequence, shall likewise be named up to the number to which the area is entitled. An area shall always be entitled to at least one entry.
Qualifying races must be free from discrimination and be open to every active member of the area. Scoring in such races shall be computed exclusively on the basis of eligible entries belonging to the particular area holding the series. No arbitrary selection can be made except in the case where the number of qualified, willing, and able skippers is less than the number of entries to which the area is entitled.

1.1 Each major geographical area shall be entitled to seventeen (17) boats, except North America twenty (20), selected in accordance with Paragraph 2 of this article.

1.2 In addition, the following are eligible to enter and shall not count towards their Area’s quota:
     The Defending Champion.
     The current World Youth Champion.
     The International Masters Champion at the time entries are due for
          the World Championship.
     The current Vice President, Worlds.
     The current ILCA President.
     The host country shall be entitled to two (2) entries over and above
          the Area’s quota.
     Three (3) additional entries that may be selected by the Executive
          Committee from Countries not otherwise represented to foster
          or expand Lightning interest in those Countries.
1.3 Any Qualifying Championship must be free from discrimination and be open to every Active and Life member of his or her Area or Country. Scoring in such races shall be computed exclusively on the basis of eligible entries belonging to the particular Area or Country holding the series.
1.4 Entries must be specifically named on an entry blank with information relative to eligibility at least twenty days prior to the first race or as directed by the Governing Authority for the World Championship. Alternate entries should be submitted prior to this date. Approved Measurement Certificate must be on file in the I.L.C.A. Office for each boat entered. No entry shall be accepted which does not meet all the eligibility requirements.
1.5 For purposes of qualifying for World Championships qualification is based on residency rather than citizenship when there is conflict between the two.
1.6 Method of selection within each Country rests with that Country. However, the method must be announced at least twelve months prior to the applicable World Championship.

2.INITIAL SELECTION
2.1 Within each Area (North America, South America, & Europe), qualifiers shall be determined as follows:
2.2 Whenever practical entries to World Championships should be decided by an Area Championship conducted in accordance with Rules Governing All Area Lightning Class Championships. The competitor having the best score among those eligible, willing, and able to represent the Area, shall be named their entrant. Those having the next best scores, in sequence, shall likewise be named up to the number to which the Area is entitled. Should the quota to which an Area is entitled not be filled in this manner, additional entries may be named in accordance with Paragraph 2.3 of this Article.
2.3 When any Country within an area decides an Area Championship is impractical or the quota to which the Area is entitled is not filled in accordance with Paragraph 2.2 of this Article, each Country within that Area with organized Lightning activity (at least one Active Lightning Fleet) will be allocated entrants in proportion to the average number of Active and Life Members as of December 31st of each of the two years preceding the World Championship. Each such Country shall be entitled to at least two entries.

3. SECONDARY SELECTION
3.1 Areas as determined in Paragraph 2.1 or Countries as determined in Section 2.2 shall advise the Class Office a confirmed list of Entrants and Alternates who would compete if other Area/Country quotas were not filled at lease four months prior to the World Championship. The Executive Committee may implement such requirements as are necessary to assure listed Entrants and Alternates will enter.
3.2 At that time the Class Office will list Entrants and unfilled quotas and fill quotas from the list of Alternates beginning with the Country with the most Active and Life Members as defined in Section 2.3 and rotating sequentially one at a time until all open slots are filled.
3.3 The Class Office when filling slots shall not create a situation where one Country has more than 50 % of the entered boats.

ARTICLE Vl - ELIGIBILITY
(Note: Consult carefully the I.L.C.A. Constitution and By-Laws on membership and measurement qualifications and other details affecting eligibility.)

1. Each boat must be certified eligible by the Measurement Committee before it can be entered in any sanctioned Championship. Boat, sails, spars, and equipment must be made available for measurement and inspection before the series; and any or all yachts or portions thereof may be ordered remeasured by the Measurement or Executive Committees.

2. Boats must hold valid Measurement Certificates, including Mast Certifications, and must display valid membership decal and mast decal. Measurement Certificates must be presented at time of Measurement.
Each boat shall carry a fluke-type anchor weighing at least 4 pounds (1.8 kg) with 50' of line attached for anchoring a Lightning, a compass, a minimum one gallon bucket, a paddle, an approved wearable life preserver for each person on board, a throwable life preserver (cushion), and a whistle unless modified with the approval of the Measurement Committee. Modifications should be included in the Notice of Race. Each boat must be equipped with a centerboard preventer.

3. (a) All sails shall bear an Official Royalty Label as provided for in the I.L.C.A. Specifications, and Mainsail and Spinnaker numbers shall be the same. When sail measurement is required, each sail shall be stamped with an approval stamp by a representative of the Measurement Committee prior to the first race.

(b) Sail Measurement - Only five sails shall be approved for use, consisting of one main, two jibs, and two spinnakers. All sails being measured shall be dry and at room temperature. Sails which do not measure may be returned to the owner for correction if such correction can be made within a reasonable time before the Sail Measurement Committee terminates its measuring of contestants' sails. When said sails are remeasured, the committee may or may not, at their option, recheck all measurement points.

4. The Skipper (Helmsman) must be a Life, Active or Associate Member who meets the requirements as defined in the I.L.C.A. Constitution.

5. Crew must be Active, Life, Crew, or Associate Members of the I.L.C.A. (except for the World Youth Championship) and shall be designated distinctly as Crew. They shall serve as such, only touching the tiller for brief temporary relief. Such periods may include the time required to set, jibe, or douse a spinnaker or repair damage to rigging, but no longer.

6. For International Masters Championship: Minimum age for skipper is 55 years; minimum total crew age is 130 years. The skipper and crew meet the minimum age requirements is the age(s) is reached during the calendar year of the Championship. (incorporated into Rules April 2003)

7. For purposes of qualifying for the World Championship: Qualification is based on residency rather than citizenship when there is conflict between the two. (incorporated into Rules April 2003)

ARTICLE Vll - SUBSTITUTION
1. There will be no substitution of Skipper.

2. Once the series has begun, boat and crew must sail throughout, except in the case of proven accident or illness. Prior to the Championship series permission may be granted for the use of a specified alternate crew for a specified race or races. Permission for substitution in such cases may be obtained from the Organizing Authority directly responsible for the Championship if the Executive Committee is not available to render a decision. Such permission must be denied if unfair advantage is gained thereby or if not absolutely necessary.

3. If a sail is damaged substantially during the championship, the sail may be replaced with a sail which shall be measured, and which shall be of the same brand, if possible, and with no less use than the damaged sail. Any substitution shall be done with approval of a member of the Measurement Committee or by the Race Committee Chairman. (incorporated into Rules April 2003)

ARTICLE VIII - RACING CONDITIONS
1. Whenever possible the number of scheduled races shall be six or more as determined by the Executive Committee. If the number of completed races is five or less, all will be scored; if six or more, one race will be discarded.

2. The International Lightning Class Association adopts Category C in accordance with RRS Appendix 1, Regulation 20, with the restriction that advertising is permitted on hulls only. However, club or invitational events may be restricted to Category A, as provided under Regulation 20.4.4 of the Advertising Code, with the approval of the National Authority of the organizing club. (April 2003)

3. Time limit shall be three and one-half (3-1/2) hours. If one boat finishes within this limit, all must be timed. If no boat completes four legs (or three legs in the case of windward-leeward course) within two hours and ten minutes (2:10), the race shall be abandoned and, if possible, resailed.

4. Scoring - (a) Abbreviations for scoring shall be in accordance with RRS or Racing Rules of Sailing.

(b) Each boat finishing in a race and not thereafter retiring or being disqualified will be scored points equal to her finishing place, as follows: first boat scores 1 point, second boat scores 2 points, and so on. "DNC", "DNS", "DNF", and "RAF" score points equal to one more, and "OCS", "DNE","BFD", and "DSQ" score points equal to two more than the number of boats eligible to start in any race of the series. "RDG" scores points equal to the finishing position awarded her after a hearing for request for redress.

(c) Each boat's total score will be the sum of her scores for all races, excluding her worst score if six races or more are completed. The boat with the lowest total scores wins.

(d) The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions shall include paragraphs 4 a, b, and c, the last paragraph modified to note the provision for exclusion of the worst score, if applicable.

5. Ties -

(a) Boats which tie in a single race shall score points equal to the best position involved. The position(s) immediately after shall remain vacant (if two boats tie for first place, both are scored I point, and the next boat to finish scores 3 points). This paragraph modifies RRS or Racing Rules of Sailing.

(b) When there is a tie on total points between two or more boats at the end of a series, the tie will be broken in favor of the boat or boats with the most first places, and, when a tie remains, the most second places, and so on. When a tie still remains, it shall be broken in favor of the boat which beats the other(s) in the last untied race of the series. All races, including those possibly excluded in calculating total scores in accordance with paragraph 4 c. shall be considered for the purpose of breaking ties. This paragraph modifies RRS or Racing Rules of Sailing.

(c) The Notice of Race shall reference and Sailing Instructions shall include paragraphs 5. (a) and (b).

6. The total of those races comprising the championship must be started or abandoned by the day and hour set forth in the Sailing Instructions. In case a race or races are abandoned, the final scoring shall be based upon all the completed races.

7. The act of deliberately sacrificing one's own chances of position in a race or series, thereby materially affecting the position of other competitors, is prohibited and shall be grounds for disqualification. Covering or luffing, providing the yacht is sailing within the racing rules and in a manner consistent with maintaining or bettering her position in the race or series, shall not be deemed team racing tactics. In flagrant cases affecting the point score of the leaders the Race Committee shall have the power, with or without protest, to order the race resailed, bar the offender from the resailed and remaining races and recommend his or her suspension from the Association to the Board of Governors.

8. The two turns penalty as provided in RRS or Racing Rules of Sailing will apply with the additional provision that when an infringing boat has its spinnaker drawing at the time of the infringement, drops it completely while taking her penalty, and resets it immediately and has it drawing after the penalty, the penalty is a one turn penalty, as provided in RRS or Racing Rules of Sailing. The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions shall include this provision.

10. Starting. The Executive Committee shall approve the starting sequence.

11. End of Racing. The "end" of racing shall be governed as follows: RRS or Racing Rules of Sailing (1) shall be modified as follows: the Race Committee or Organizing Authority shall not abandon (or cancel) a scheduled race or races before the starting signal without approval of the Class Governing Authority.

12. Propulsion.
Modifying RRS or Racing Rules of Sailing (2), "On a free leg of the course, when surfing (rapid accelerating down the leeward side of a wave) or planing is possible, the boat's crew may, in order to initiate surfing or planing, pump the sheet, but not the guy controlling any sail, but only once for each wave or gust of wind. When the mainsail is pumped, only that part of the sheet between the crew member handling the sheet and the first block on the boom shall be used."

13. PROTEST TIME LIMIT - The question of legality of sailors or equipment must be challenged within the time limit (for filing protests) prescribed in the race circular for the regatta in question. (incorporated into Rules April 2003)

14. SUPPORT BOATS: Team leaders, coaches, and other support personnel shall stay outside the racing area (defined as 100 meters outside the lay lines of the course including the start area) from the start of the first race to the finish of the last race of the regatta unless otherwise designated in the Sailing Instructions. Individual competitors may not use support boats at any time during the regatta unless such support is available to all competitors or is authorized by the organizing authority. The penalty for failure to comply with any of these requirements may be disqualification of all yachts associated with the infringing support personnel. (incorporated into Rules April 2003)

ARTICLES IX - NOTICES
1. Official notices of hearings, decisions, procedures, and instructions shall be served upon all parties by posting on a designated "official bulletin board." Such notices would apply particularly to changes in the Sailing Instructions, time and place of races and such other important details as may be required. Responsibility for seeing such notices rests with each contestant.

RULES WHICH APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO THE WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

ARTICLE X - TIME AND PLACE
1. The World Youth Championship shall be held in a different geographical Area each time until each Area has either held the Championship or has declined to do so. Thereafter, the Championship shall be held in an Area which has not held it for the greatest length of time.

2. The World Youth Championship shall be held within the calendar year of even numbered years.

ARTICLE XI - ENTRIES
1.

(a) Every country with organized yachting activity shall be entitled to two (2) entries for the World Youth Championship. The Host Country shall be entitled to two (2) additional entries. The Executive Committee may allocate additional entries on an equal basis to all Countries to provide twenty entries.

(b) Skippers and crews in the World Youth Championship need not be l.L.C.A. members but, if they are not l.L.C.A. members, they must be certified eligible by a member National Authority of the International Sailing Federation. (c) Skippers and crew must be no older than 19; to clarify Skippers and crew may not turn twenty (20) years old during the year of the Championship.

ARTICLE XII - RACING CONDITIONS
1. (a) Equally competitive certified Lightnings and equipment shall be provided by the Host Fleets. Contestants shall provide their own sails and life preservers.

(b) A system of draw shall be established to provide a boat rotation which is fair to all.

(c) Contestants shall not make any changes to tune or rigging of any boat other than the normal easily adjusted running gear. Equipment other than the normal extra clothing, life preservers, water jug, and small tools for emergency repairs may not be carried aboard.

(d) Once the regatta has begun, contestants may not receive outside assistance except as authorized by the Race Committee.

(e) Practice in Lightnings selected for use in the Championship shall not be afforded any contestant unless provided to all contestants.

ARTICLE XIII - QUALIFICATION
1. Qualification for the World Youth Championship shall be determined preferably based on the order of finish in a Junior or Area Championship as follows: for U.S. entries, by the International Lightning Class Association; for Canadian entries, by the Canadian International Lightning Association; for entries from countries other than the U.S. or Canada, by the District or by the member National Authority of the International Sailing Federation.

(1) RRS 27.3
(2) RRS 42.3(C)

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Includes all amendments approved through April 2003
Updated MAY19-2003.
Updated JAN 2008