1. RACE SCHEDULE

The race schedule, start times and start locations are detailed on the separate KIRF Race Schedule. This can
be downloaded as PDF below.

The KIRF Wednesday Night Races comprise two separate series on alternate Wednesdays to encourage those
who are unable to race every week.

The EDELWEISS CUP SERIES consists of 10 races
The BELLADONNA CUP SERIES consists of 10 races on the alternate weeks

Each Series is divided into a Spring Series and a Summer Series in order to encourage new participants to join
during the season.

Start Line Locations:

Races designated “Prospect Bay”
Will start/finish on a line in the entrance of Kirwan’s Creek (south of the Kent Narrows). The start line will be
between two orange buoys laid on an extension of a line through the Kent Narrows South channel markers #4
and #3.

Races designated “Chester River”
Will start/finish between two orange buoys laid approximately 200 yards north west of the Kent Narrows North
entrance channel marker #2KN. The line will align with the red channel markers

2. COURSE OPTIONS:

IMPORTANT – YOU MUST REFER TO THE KIRF COURSE LIST FOR DETAILS

You can download the complete KIRF Course List from the pdf link above

Course 2, South Narrows, Prospect Bay – Distance 7.21 NM Parsons #1, return (See notes 1 & 2)
Course 3, South Narrows, Prospect Bay – Distance 4.79 NM R#2, return (See notes 1 & 2)
Course 4, South Narrows, Prospect Bay – Distance 2.40 NM R#2, finish 50 ft west (See notes 1 & 2)

Course 56, Chester River – Distance 2.20 NM KN2 line, G#7, KN2 line
Course 57, Chester River – Distance 6.20 NM KN2 line, G#7, R#6, KN2 Gate, G#7, R#6, KN2 Line Finish
Course 58, Chester River – Distance 6.80 NM KN2 line, G#7, G#3, KN2 Gate, G#7, R#6, KN2 Line Finish
Course 59, Chester River – Distance 3.10 NM KN2 line, G#7, R#6, KN2 Line Finish
Course 61, Chester River – Distance 3.94 NM KN2 line, G#7, R#6, G#7, KN2 Line Finish
Course 62, Chester River – Distance 6.03 NM KN2 line, G#7, R#6, G#9, G#7, KN2 Line Finish

For more information on the courses please download the “Courses” pdf above

IMPORTANT COURSE NOTES

1. For South Narrows, starts, the start/finish line will be set in a NE-SW direction and will line up with the
Narrows #3 Green and #4 Red beacons. Use the alignment of the Green beacon and the orange buoy at
the NE end of the line to time your finish.

2. A direct straight line between the start/finish line and the South Narrows #1 beacon will clip the edge of the
infamous “BLOB” shallow spot. At low tide this will have no more than about 4 feet of water so watch your
depth, a minor swing to the north east will save your race and some embarrassing treatment in the bar
afterwards. This shallow area and all other shallows around the courses shall be considered as
obstructions.

3. Course decision will be made shortly before the start depending on the conditions at the time.

4. Depending on the weather conditions, the PRO may select a long course for boats with PHRF < 200 and a
short course for boats with PHRF > 200. A distance adjustment factor will be applied to the short course
boats times to enable the results to be amalgamated.

3. RACE FORMATS
To add variety and interest we will call both Fleet Starts and Pursuit Starts. The type of start and the course will
be called on the VHF at about 15 to 20 minutes before the beginning of the start sequence, so listen up so you
don’t get lost!

Fleet Starts: All boats will start together at the designated start time

Pursuit Starts: Each boat starts at a different time according to both the boat rating and the course
distance so that all boats should finish at about the same time. Your start time is calculated from a separate
spread sheet that you should keep aboard at all times. To find your start time locate your PHRF rating in
the left hand column then get your start time in the column for the course called. To make this easy to do in
the heat of the start line simply highlight the row for your PHRF rating so you only need to look for the
course column. Always use your GPS to time your start accurately and avoid protests!

4. HANDICAPPING.
PHRF Time On Time handicapping. If you want to race without a spinnaker you will need to tell the PRO before
the race start. When racing non-spinnaker you may use a whisker pole but only one headsail is permitted.

5. WEDNESDAY NIGHT RACE SCORING
At least one race must be completed in each of the Spring and Summer Series to constitute a series.

Low points scoring shall apply, ie:

1 point for first place
2 points for second place
3 points for third place, etc.,

A boat that did not start, time limit expired, did not finish or retired after finishing scores number of starting boats
in the race + 1.

A boat that is disqualified scores number of starting boats in the race + 2

No points are scored in races that are abandoned.

6. TIE BREAKERS
1. Greatest number of first places
2. Greatest number of second places
3. Lowest points in the last race

7. AWARDS

The Edelweiss Challenge Cup:
The score for the Edelweiss Challenge Cup shall be the sum of the scores for all Edelweiss Wednesday Night
races. If 7 or 8 races occur then one result discard shall be allowed. If 9 or 10 races occur then 2 discards shall
be allowed.

The Belladonna Challenge Cup:
The score for the Belladonna Challenge Cup shall be the sum of the scores for all BellaDonna Wednesday Night
races. If 7 or 8 races occur then one result discard shall be allowed. If 9 or 10 races occur then 2 discards shall
be allowed.

8. THE START & TIMEKEEPING
See the separate Schedule of Races for the start times. The start signals will be sounded from the PRO’s boat.

The start sequence will be:
5 minutes Warning
4 minutes Preparatory
1 minute Ready
Zero Start!

Keep your own time using a GPS. Wrist watches are not acceptable time keepers.

Write down your time at the start and finish and make a note of the name and sail number of the boat ahead and
the boat astern of you at the finish. Send your information to the PRO as soon as possible afterward so that the
results can be calculated and circulated in a timely manner.

9. TIME LIMITS. The time limit for all races shall be 2030 hours. If no boats finish before the time
limit the race shall be counted as abandoned.

10. COMMUNICATIONS. All competitors should monitor channel 72 throughout the race to aid
communication. All course changes, etc., will be called on 72 so listen up!

11. SAFETY.

Responsibility: Each entrant will be responsible for all safety issues with respect to participation in these races,
and by participating agrees to hold the organizers harmless of all liability.

Standards: It is required that all participants meet or exceed the ORC Category 4P safety equipment
standards.

Bad weather: in the event of bad or threatening weather any skipper may, during one hour before the start of a
race, call for a vote among participating skippers for postponement or abandonment of a race if the PRO has not already done so. The race will be postponed or abandoned on a majority vote. It is important to remember
that under all circumstances each skipper has the final responsibility for the decision to race and for the safety of
his boat and crew regardless of the outcome of such a vote or the actions of the PRO

12. IDENTIFICATION. The race will not be divided into different classes but all boats should fly the
KIRF burgee on the backstay as a racing identity. A list of entries will be circulated a few days before the race
so that we can all recognize one another.

13. PROTESTS. Protests should be filed with the PRO within one hour of the time limit for the race
and there will be no appeals process.

14. RACING RULES. The 2025-2028 ISAF rules shall apply except where specifically amended by
these instructions.

15. ENTRY FEE. The Wednesday Night Series racing fee is included in the KIRF fee of $50.

16. INDEMNITY. By participating in this or any other KIRF event you agree to hold Chris Bardwell-Jones
and everyone associated with the organization of KIRF events harmless of all liability.

General Notes

1. Unless otherwise notified, we meet after each race at a mutually agreed hostelry, for a follow up discussion
and social gathering.

2. For more information about the Kent Island Racing Fleet please visit www.KentIslandSailing.org

3. For more information about racing and rating your boat please look at the following web sites:
Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association www.cbyra.org
PHRF Of The Chesapeake www.phrfchesbay.com
ISAF The International Sailing Federation www.sailing.org

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