Cooper River Yacht Club
Collingswood, NJ
2026 Ritchie Regatta
NOTICE OF RACE/SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
1. RULES
The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in most current The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, US Sailing Prescriptions, and applicable class rules, with the exception that non-class practice sails are permissible provided they meet class measurements.
Interpretation of Rule 2
In the interest of congenial sailing CRYC will interpret the principles of sportsmanship and fair play to include the use of language during races. Threats and verbal abuse are considered unacceptable behavior and are considered grounds for a protest under RRS Rule 2. Other issues which might be considered misconduct may also be used as the basis for a Rule 2 protest. See RRS Submission 272-15.
Sails: Non-class practice sails are permissible provided they meet class measurements. Sails may be changed during the course of the series. This turns off ILCA Class rule - Part 2.7.(2). See also the note below related to the ILCA Class Rigs.
ILCA Rigs: Skipper may use a smaller rig than that of the fleet in which they are registered. Only one fleet, ILCA 7/Full, is anticipated for the Fall Series. If there is an ILCA 6 (Radial) fleet or an ILCA 4 (4.7) fleet, this NOR item modifies ILCA class rules Part 4.29.(d) but Part 4.30.(d) would still apply.
2. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
2.1 Series
The series is open to members of Cooper River Yacht Club. The series is open to the following classes: Laser/ILCA, Sunfish, GP-14, Flying Scot and Comet. The Rear Commodore may approve other classes.
Non‑members are welcome to sail in the event, but they will not receive an official score and will not be ranked in the results.
3. FEES and OBLIGATIONS
3.1 Series
There are no fees for club member sailing in events associated with the CRYC Fleet Championships.
4. REGISTRATION
4.1 Series
All competitors must register in advance of their first club racing event. Community Sailing skippers shall also verify their sail number with the Race Committee each weekend.
Boats failing to register will not receive a series score.
Prior to racing if necessary skippers shall check in with the race committee and shall make necessary changes to class of boat and sail number prior to the start of the first race, each race day.
Registration is available via the web: Register Ritchie Regatta & Fall Series 2026
5. FLEET START ELIGIBILITY
Any eligible one-design fleets with two or more boats in the starting area at the posted start time shall be eligible to have a start.
6. SCHEDULE
Racing days and start times are as follows: Sunday, September 6, 1:00 PM; Monday September 7, 11:00 AM.
7. THE COURSES
All marks are to be taken to port. The race committee will announce the course either at a skipper meeting or via announcement from the RC station on roof of the clubhouse. The starting line runs between a mark on the north side of the river mark of the same type on the south side of the river nearest the clubhouse This same line serves as the finish line. Club turning marks will be balls; the locations of marks may be changed to shorten or lengthen the course.
All marks are to be rounded to port. This is designated by the letter P.
Course 1,2 = Windward-Leeward. Odd number courses starts are to west (Route 130), even number course starts are to the east (Cuthbert Blvd).
Other drop mark courses (orange or white ball) may be used at the discretion of the race committee; such courses will be defined at the skippers meeting, or orally on the water.
At the discretion of the race committee, other course options include: Leeward Gates and Windward Offsets course as an option. The drop marks (orange or white ball) will be used to define the course. Details will be defined at the skippers meeting, or orally on the water.
8. SCORING
Scoring for fleets will follow US Sailing RRS Appendix A. Six races are planned. One drop if six races are completed. Otherwise, all races count. One race minimum for regatta awards and scoring for fleet championships. Non-members will not receive an official score and will not be ranked in the results.
9. AWARDS
Awards will be presented for each fleet. The Ritchie Regatta counts toward the CRYC Fleet Championships.
10. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. The organizing authority, shall not accept any liability for property damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with, prior to, during, and/or after the racing.
11. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Changes to this NOR or specific Sailing Instructions may be posted on the official bulletin board one hour prior to the start of the days racing where they take effect, or earlier via club email/webpage.
12. CRYC CONTACTS
Vice Commodore, Steve Crieghton
Rear Commodore/Regatta Chair, George Rollin
RC/Scorer, Elaine Pedersen