I.M.A. Inland Championships
NOTICE OF RACE
ORGANISING AUTHORITY (OA)
This event will be organised by Blessington Sailing Club
The notation [NP] in a rule of the notice of race (NoR) means that a boat may not protest another boat for breaking that rule. This changes RRS 60.1(a).
1 RULES
1.1 The event is governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2 Racing rules Race Signals AP, 31, 33, 35, 44.1, 60.1(a), 60.1(b), 61.3, 62.1(a), 62.2, A2 A5.1 and A5.2 will be changed. The changes appear, in full, in this notice of race or in the sailing instructions.
2 NoR .- SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The sailing instructions will be available on the IMA & Bl Sailing Clubs website / FB page/ Bl. Sailing Club -www.blsc.ie and at least one week before the event.
3 COMMUNICATION
[DP] While racing, except in an emergency, a boat shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communication that is not available to all boats.
4 ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
4.1 The event is open to boats of the Multihull type with SCHRS handicap.
4.2 Helm must be a member of their respective class association.
4.3 Eligible boats may enter by completing the entry form and paying
4.4 To be considered an entry at an event, a boat shall complete all registration requirements and pay all fees.
4.5 Boats should enter before Friday 8th. May 2026. Late entries will be accepted only at the discretion of the Organising Authority subject to the payment surcharge of €10.00. No entries will be accepted on the day of the event.
4.6 Any under 18 shall have Guardian complete his/her Consent on the Event entry form.
4.7 The Organising Authority may cancel the event, cancel classes and reject or cancel entries in its absolute discretion, subject to RRS 76.
4.8 Should the Organising Authority cancel a class or reject an entry they shall refund the entry fee in full.
4.9 Should the Organising Authority cancel the event within 36 hours prior to the scheduled start of race 1 any refunds will be at the sole discretion of the Organising Authority.
5 FEES
Entry fees are as follows:
Multihulls. Eu.70.00
Single handed dinghies & multihull juniors Eu.50.00
Multihull junior is aged under 21 on Saturday 16th May 2026.
6 CREW LIMITATIONS
Does not apply.
7 ADVERTISING
[DP] [NP] Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the organising authority.
8 QUALIFYING SERIES AND FINAL SERIES
Does not apply.
9 SCHEDULE
9.1 Registration Friday 15th May 1700 to 1930 & Saturday 16th May 0900 to 1030.
9.2 Briefing A Briefing will be held at 1030 on Saturday 16th May 2026.
9.3 Racing schedule
Date Race
Saturday 16th. May Races 1 to 4
Sunday 17th May Races 5 to 6
9.4 Six Races are scheduled.
9.5 To alert boats that a race or sequence of races will begin soon, the orange starting line flag will be displayed with one sound signal at least five minutes before a warning signal is made.
9.6 The scheduled time of the first warning signal of the first race on the Saturday is 1155. The scheduled time of the first warning signal of the first race on remaining race day is 1055.
9.7 An additional race may be run on the Saturday at the discretion of the Race Committee. To indicate this intention the finish boat will display flag numeral 5 at the end of the fourth race.
9.6 On the last scheduled day of racing no warning signal will be made after 14.30.
10 EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
Boats may be inspected at any time.
11 CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
RRS 40.1 shall apply at all times while afloat.
12 VENUE
The Sailing Area will be on Poulaphouca Lake outside Blessington Sailing Club.
13.SUPPORT BOATS
13.1Powerboat use on the lake is strictly prohibited and subject to ESB approval. The BLSC have an arrangement with the ESB that participants who wish to launch a powerboat for events may do so under the following conditions:
the participant must be able to provide an update copy of their valid boat insurance at Registration.
the participants insurance must specifically indemnify the ESB from all liability while on the lake
the participant must make their powerboat available for rescue support in the event this is required by the officer on duty.
individuals contact details who wish to use a Powerboat in support of the event must provide their contact details by the closing date for entries.
proof of National Powerboat Certification (level 2) must be provided at Registration.
13.2Zebra Mussel spread prevention pre-requisite treatment on all boats before approval to enter
the ESB Reservoir is granted. See http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/invasive-species-1/438-invasive-species-disinfection-guidelines-for-paddle-sports/file for details. Participants will be asked to sign a compliance form at Registration. Boat washing facilities will be available in the BioHazard Cleaning area
13 COURSES
The courses to be sailed will be Windward Leeward and or Triangular.
14 PENALTY SYSTEM
14.1 RRS 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty.
14.2 The Post Race Penalty and the Arbitration Procedures Appendix T will be available. Decisions from Arbitration can be referred to the protest committee but cannot be reopened or appealed.
15 SCORING
15.1 Six races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
15.2 When fewer than four races have been completed, a boats series score will be the total of her race scores. This changes RRS A2.
15.3 Corrected times for multihulls will be calculated using the boats SCHRS handicap and average laps.
15.4 Old School F18s ie Tigers Dart Hawks shall race using SCHRS handicap of 1.030
16 [DP] [NP] SUPPORT PERSON VESSELS
16.1 [DP] Support Person Vessels shall register with the Organising Authority (OA) at registration and maybe required to display identifying flags provided by the OA.
16.2 Support teams, including all support persons and support person vessels shall stay 150m outside areas where boats are racing from the time of the preparatory signal for the first start until all boats have finished or retired or the race committee signals a postponement, general recall or abandonment.
16.3 All support persons shall wear a personal flotation device when afloat and when the engine of a support vessel is running, the support vessel driver shall use a kill cord.
Does not apply.
18 BERTHING
[DP] Boats shall be kept in their assigned places in the dinghy park.
19 HAUL-OUT RESTRICTIONS
Does not apply.
20 DIVING EQUIPMENT AND PLASTIC POOLS
Does not apply.
21 DATA PROTECTION
The Club Data Processing Policy is available on the class website.
22 RISK STATEMENT
22.1 RRS 3 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: The responsibility for a boats decision to participate in a race or to continue to race is hers alone.
Sailing by its nature is an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:
- They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;
- They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;
- They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;
- Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;
- The provision of a race management team, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers by the event organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities;
- The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions as can be practically provided in the circumstances;
- It is their responsibility to familiarise themselves with any risks specific to this venue or this event drawn to their attention in any rules or information produced for the venue or event and to attend any safety briefing held for the event.
22.2 [NP] [DP] COVID Statement
By taking part in any of the events covered by this notice of race, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that they are responsible for complying with any regulations in force from time to time in respect of COVID-19 and for complying with the venue/OA/sailing club COVID-19 procedures. Competitors and support persons shall comply with any reasonable request from an event official. Failure to comply may be misconduct. Reasonable actions by event officials to implement COVID-19 guidance, protocols, or legislation, even if they later prove to be unnecessary, are not improper actions or omissions.
23 INSURANCE
Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of €3,000,000 Euros per incident or the equivalent.
24 PRIZES
Prizes may be awarded, dependant on entries and at the discretion of the Race Committee, as follows: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
25 FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information please contact orla.th@gmail.com or 085 7468938 (I.M.A. secretary), or Philip below
END OF NOTICE OF RACE
CONTACT DETAILS Volunteers?
ACCOMMODATION
Camping, caravans and motorhomes welcome We have some limited space on site
Contact: Philip OSullivan: philiposullivan03@gmail.com or +353 87 2232767.
Club Address
Blessington Sailing Club, Baltyboys, Blessington Lakes, W91PO86, Co Wicklow.
Last updated 9:11pm on 6 April 2026