Information on the 2001 Season

This year, in addition to the traditional awards for both overall and age groups, there will be trophies designed to recognize and encourage improvement in a sailor ’s performance. At each regatta, an award will be presented to the “most improved” sailor. By averaging a sailor's previous year’s finishes of races sailed, a base line will be established for that sailor. The racer that beats his average by the widest margin will win the award for the day. In order to qualify for this trophy, a sailor must have sailed in at least 8 SANJL championship races last year.

SANJL will also be trying another innovation that is designed to improve a sailor ’s knowledge and experience. At the beginning of the season the participants from last year's series that sailed in at least 8 SANJL championship races will be seeded and divided into several groups of overall equal ability. The sailors in each group are encouraged to share tips, strategies, etc. with each other. Awards will be presented at the end of the series to the group that has collectively performed the best. Team race tactics are not to be used! During the racing, sailing is to be done on individual merit. What is encouraged is the sharing of information and ideas before, after, and between races. The group scoring will throw out the scores of the group's top sailor, then count the next best 50 scores from the group. This is a chance for all racers to consult the top guys and try out what they learn right away! The groups will be posted at registration of the first regatta and also here on this web site.

As you can see, there are a lot of new ideas in store. The series format is as follows: 

• Four one-day regattas will be held to constitute the SANJL championship. 
• At the end of each race day, trophies will be presented to the top finishers. 
• At the conclusion of the series, a multitude of awards and trophies will be presented, including honors for the top five overall, age group winners, and a special award for sportsmanship. 
• No more than four races will be sailed on any day. 
• There will be one throw-out used to determine the scoring for a race-day, if four races are completed. 
• Four throw-outs will be used to calculate a sailor ’s overall series standing. This allows a participant to miss a regatta and still score well in the overall season championship.  

As in the past, to qualify for the overall series, a sailor must be a current member of the International Sunfish Class Association. Sailors may participate in individual regattas without joining the class, but to be scored for the championship, class membership is required. The championship shall be governed by the racing rules of the ISAF and the prescriptions of US Sailing and the ISCA. United States Coast Guard-approved PFDs must be aboard each boat and worn by competitors when conditions warrant. A sailor’s age as of April 28, 2001 will determine his age group.

The Junior Championship regatta is scheduled for Mountain Lakes on August 25. This event is for sailors who will not be 18 or older during 2001.

Last year ’s racing was as much fun as ever. We all look forward to more of the same. So find your boat and sailing gear and come join us! This is small lake sailing at its very best: tight tactical racing with plenty of wind shifts thrown in for good measure!

  You can now view our mailing flier on the web: first page    second page 
Note: you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.