Captains Log

Captains Log June 2009

Already we are halfway through our racing calendar – where does the time go? Looking out of my office window one thing is for sure – my time has not gone on gardening! Fortunately my time goes on sailing, which, I am sure you will all agree, is a pastime by far more enjoyable than that of digging up weeds and trimming bushes.

Anyway, to business; we recently had an unfortunate episode with a competitor who breached Regulation 20 Advertising code during a race by using a spinnaker displaying advertising. It was, to be frank, disappointing that the incident occurred as JOG general Conditions clearly state that our racing takes place under RRS and IRC Part 4 No advertising (beyond the minimum per Regulation 20.) is allowed.

Additionally, our web site, under “Latest News” clearly states:

The Committee wish to remind all Competitors of the following:

1) The Junior Offshore Group race under ISAF Regulation 20 Advertising Code (formally Category A, No Advertising)

Yachts shall comply with ISAF (RRS) Regulation 20. 5 .1 - 20.6.3 & IRC Part 4. 31.1 No Advertising.

Advertising on your yacht is not permitted and the name of a Yacht shall not promote a commercial enterprise.

The code defines advertising as "the name, logo, slogan, description, depiction, a variation or distortion thereof or any other form of communication that promotes an organisation, person, product, service, brand or idea so as to call attention to it or to persuade persons or organisations to buy, approve or otherwise support it".

I would like to assure Members that I sincerely believe in the Corinthian roots of our Club and I will continue to make every effort to ensure Competitors comply with JOG General Conditions 1. It is very important that we maintain our uniqueness in the world of yacht racing. Adhering to the “no advertising” rules is part of that uniqueness and makes JOG the club that it is.

I sincerely hope that we have no future protests on this matter. In fact, come to think of it, I am struggling to remember the last time a protest was made – a clear indicator of the friendly nature of our racing!

Since my last Captain’s log we have raced to Hayling Bay and Yarmouth inshore and St Vaast, Deauville and Alderney offshore. Attendance (number of competitors) has been good and our Sponsors generous. We have even had some reasonable weather.

We have now published a provisional 2010 race calendar. It will be a busy year as we are racing to La Trinite again. It has been decided that next year, the race will be included as part of our offshore championship. The decision was based on feedback from the thirty or so competitors who took part, the majority of whom commented it would be better if the race was for championship points. I am very excited about adding the race into our championship as I believe it brings the Club another step closer to its original roots of Corinthian offshore racing. I have already put the dates in my diary!

Even with everything that is going on in the background (regarding the economy etc.) it is encouraging to see JOG racing is as popular as ever. We have all the usual Competitors from previous years and a lot of new boats too.

We have also had an influx of new crew available with a number of enthusiastic sailors coming from the Oxford University Yacht Club (OUYC). Having met with the Captain of the OUYC he is as enthusiastic as I am at developing closer ties to encourage his members to come racing with us.

Finally, a little tongue in cheek bearing in mind current affairs, I would like to assure all our members that the Club does not seem to be experiencing a serious downturn and continues to prosper.

Paul Harding
Captain