IT'S TIME TO MAKE SURE YOUR CERTIFICATE IS VALID!

From IMCA Technical Advisor David Chivers - At a recent Class regatta we had the opportunity to check the results list with the National Authority to see if all the boats had valid certificates. Sad to say that several boats had either no certificate or one in the wrong name.

We must remind you all, that it is illegal to enter Class racing without a valid certificate, where ever the racing takes place and whether or not you are asked to present your certificate. To help those that are unsure about certificates there are two situations:

1. NEW BOAT. From the builder you will receive a completed Measurement Form. You must send this to your National Authority. This may be either the National Authority of your country, or your Melges 24 Class Association. For example, in France and the US it is the Class Association, in the UK it is the Royal Yachting Association.

When they have received the Measurement Form, they will check and note the data and issue a Measurement Certificate. You should have this with you at all major regattas.

2. SECOND HAND BOAT. If you purchase a boat from another sailor or dealer, you must ask for the Measurement Certificate. Change of ownership invalidates the Measurement Certificate, but does not require the boat to be re-measured. You must now send the old Measurement Certificate to your National Authority as above and they will be able to issue a new Measurement Certificate in your name. Do not forget if you have bought the boat from a different country, you will need to change the National Letters on your mainsails.

If you have lost your original Measurement Form or the previous owner cannot supply you with a Measurement Certificate then it is possible that your National Authority might require full or partial re-measurement.

Please make sure your Certificate is in order, they will be checked closely for the Europeans and Worlds and the International Class intends that they will be more closely scrutinised at many more regattas.