IMCA EGM Approves Class Rule Change To Rule C.9.7 - ISAF Confirm New Rule In Force For Key West

At the Extraordinary General Meeting of the IMCA World Council held on Tuesday 12 January the proposal to change Class Rule C.9.7 was formally approved by the meeting.  The rule change has subsequently been approved by ISAF and will come into force in time for ACURA Key West Race Week 2010.  The rule change details are as follows:-

OLD RULE: 

C.9.7 RUNNING RIGGING 

(a) USE 

(2) The jib shall be hoisted by one of 3 options: 

(a)  The s/s wire jib halyard connected to the jib luff wire, through the original jib sheave and which shall be secured to the high field lever.  

OR 

(b) An HMPE or similar (e.g. Spectra) halyard, running inside the zip luff. The design of the system is optional. 

OR      

(c) An HMPE or similar halyard led through the original jib sheave in the mast and secured to a purchase system below deck. The design of the system is optional but the purchase system shall be entirely below deck. 

System (b) may be used with either forestay system and System (c) shall be used with a fixed forestay. 

An existing mast may be retro fitted with the fixed forestay using the official parts available from the licensed builders. 

NEW RULE: 

C.9.7 RUNNING RIGGING 

(a) USE 

(2) The jib shall be hoisted by one of 3 options: 

(a) The s/s wire jib halyard connected to the jib luff wire, through the jib sheave and which shall be secured to the high field lever.  

OR 

(b) An HMPE or similar (e.g. Spectra) halyard, running inside the zip luff. The design of the system is optional. 

OR      

(c)  An HMPE or similar halyard led through the jib sheave in the mast and secured to a purchase system below deck. The design of the system is optional but the purchase system shall be entirely below deck. 

The choice of system is optional except that it shall not be changed during a regatta. 

An existing mast may be retro fitted with the fixed forestay using the official parts available from the licensed builders. 

REASON: 

The class wishes sailors to have the option of using the fixed forestay and does not want to make the change compulsory on the purchase of a new or replacement mast. The mast will work with either forestay installations. 

A revised edition of the International Melges 24 Class Rule Book will be published by ISAF shortly.

Also discussed at the EGM were proposed changes to the system for checking crew weights.  After considerable discussion it was agreed that further research was needed on this subject and that further discussion by the World Council will be postponed until the 2010 IMCA AGM (to be held in November 2010).

Full minutes of the IMCA World Council EGM held on 12 January 2010 will be published shortly.