BOM_2009

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• Registration: the online registration system has proved itself and will be available
again this year. It means that as well as entering a boat and paying online, one can
post or change the names of the crew members right up to the last minute. There is
also access to a crew exchange. The system’s flexibility is appreciated; it has obvious
advantages for the crew safety and guarantees that procedures on land on the eve
of the race are fast and simple. However, this year the participants will not receive
a DVD in their kit as all images (photos and videos) can now be accessed directly on
the Bol d’Or website (www.boldormirabaud.com).
• Starting lines: once again, there will be two starting lines, 400 metres apart, one for the
multihulls, the other for the monohulls. But, with the start delayed to 10 o’clock, it could be
windier. In this respect, Michel Glaus draws attention to an obvious point in the Racing Rules
of Sailing (RRS). If a security problem arises linked to these two starting lines, the organizers
of the race can interrupt the programmed procedure and choose to delay the start.
Consequently, Michel Glaus is asking competitors to be very attentive to the flag signals.
Reminder: the regatta will be held under the new Racing Rules of Sailing, the RRS 2009-2012.
• Following the race: as in previous races, about 100 boats will again be equipped with GPS
tracking systems, i.e. the first ones in each class, some favourites in each of the categories and other
boats drawn at random. The organizing committee is still studying the possibility of introducing
a system to equip all the boats, maybe in 2010. Last year all the winners of the previous year’s
race had a race number on a yellow background; the “yellow jersey” sticker system will be used
again this year. There are three ways of following the race live: at the Nautique yacht club, on the
Bol d’Or website and on Radio Lac, which will provide non-stop coverage. There will be two race
updates with commentary at 3.30pm on Saturday and at 11am on Sunday at the Nautique.
• Classif ications and categories: the modifications and simplifications introduced in 2008 have
been satisfactory. The fleet will be divided into nine classes: two for multihulls (M1 and M2),
one for experimental boat (LX-TCFX), three for monohulls (Surprise, Grand Surprise and Toucan)
and three (TCF1+2, TCF3 and TCF4) for other monohulls of various sizes. Furthermore, in order
to motivate the sailing schools and young sailors, the Bol d’Or is organizing a Sailing School
Trophy. Participation is subject to two conditions: the boat must be entered in the sailing
school’s name, and there must be an instructor on board.
• Finish line: instead of the finish buoy, the start boat at the Nautique will act as a marker.
In accordance with the rules, once over the line, the winners in each class are asked to
moor their craft alongside the Nautique’s official enclosure, so that the public and press
can welcome the team and admire the boats.