Upcoming Events:
October 22 & 23, 2011
October 20 & 21, 2012
October 19 & 20, 2013

Head Of The Charles Regatta
Rules Announcement 4.11.11

Dear Coaches and Competitors,

Please take notice of the following changes to the General Entry Rules, the Eligibility Rules and the Rules of Racing.  It is the responsibility of coaches and competitors to be familiar with the HOCR Official Rules available online: [HERE].  If you have any questions, please contact regatta@hocr.org.  To propose rule changes in future years, please email regatta@hocr.org citing the current rule and the proposed change no later than November 15, 2011.

2011 Men’s Lightweight Weigh-in Requirement:

• Former Rule:
• Lightweight Fours/Eights: Men: rowers’ weights average not over 160lbs., none over 170lbs.
• Approved Change:
• Lightweight Fours/Eights: Men: rowers’ weights not over 165 lbs., no averaging

2011 Club Eligibility Specification:

• Former Rule:
• **Any athlete competing as a national team member under the name of their nation’s governing body in national or international competition in the current calendar year is ineligible for the Club event-divisions.
• Approved Change:
• **Any athlete competing as a Senior or U23 national team member under the name of their nation’s governing body in national or international competition in the current calendar year is ineligible for the Club event-division.  Juniors who have competed as a junior national team member under the name of their nation’s governing body in international competition in the current calendar year are also ineligible for the Club event-division.

2011 Rules of Racing (Racing 1.5, 1.6):

• Former Rule:
• 5. Responsibilities of the Overtakee (boat being overtaken): If the Passer moves to within one length (and closing) of open water on the Overtakee, it is the responsibility of the slower crew to yield the line chosen by the Passer in a timely manner.  Failure to yield when there is adequate room and time will incur the following penalties;
• 1st infraction       60 second penalty
• 2nd infraction      120 second penalty
• 3rd infraction      disqualification from the Regatta
• 6. Responsibilities of Passer: If a pass is attempted, the Passer shall not press the right to overtake to the point of severe collision.  The overtaking boat must allow for sufficient room for both boats to stay safely within the race course.  If the Passer causes a severe collision results in damage, interlocking boats or injury, the Passer may face time penalties and further sanctions under Racing Rule 1.
• Approved Rule:
• 5. Non-Yield Interference – IN: When a passing crew (the Passer) closes to within one length of open water on the boat being overtaken, it is the responsibility of the slower crew to yield the line chosen by the Passer in a timely manner.  The yield should be completed by the time the overtaking boat has closed within ½ boat length.  A crew failing to yield will incur the following interference penalties; Interference (IN) Failure to Yield:
• 1st Infraction       60 second penalty
• 2nd Infraction      120 second penalty
• 3rd Infraction      disqualification from the Regatta
• 6. Severe Collision – IS: A passing crew (the Passer) has the right to pass on the side of its choice if and when a safe pass can be accomplished.  The Passer must allow sufficient room for both their boat and the boat being overtaken to stay safely within the racecourse.  If a pass is attempted, the Passer shall not press the right to overtake to the point of severe collision.  During a severe collision one or more of the following may occur:
• Damage to a hull
• Personal injury or
•  The boat being overtaken is forced off the racecourse and into a bridge.

If a crew causes a severe collision that crew may be assessed a 60 second (IS) Severe Collision time penalty and may face further sanctions under Racing Rule 1.

2011 Update to Appeals Process:

Appeals seeking changes to the Official Results may be received, in writing, to the Jury Clerk at the Cambridge Boat Club until 1 hr after the results are posted for the last race on Saturday for Saturday’s races and 6:00PM on Sunday for Sunday’s races.  Should a crew want to appeal but not be able to make the deadline on Saturday they can call the Jury Leader (# to be posted) and leave a message that they intend to appeal.  Such appeals must be submitted as above within 1 hour after the first race ends on Sunday.  Appeals received after this time will not be considered.  The Race Committee reserves the right to extend the deadline due to scheduling changes of the Regatta.  Appeals will no longer be accepted on Monday.  Official Results will be posted at www.hocr.org.