A change to the Etchells One Design Rules effective from 1 January 2006 requires that a boat shall not use sails while racing other than those that have been properly acquired for that boat. However the IGC does have the authority to approve exceptions to this rule for good reason. This rule is not in the 2005-2006 Yearbook but it can be found in the latest version of the One Design Rules on the International Etchells website – refer to One Design clauses 5.5.3 (a) and (e). It was introduced to stop the proliferation of ‘flower pot’ boats which enabled owners to have two sail cards and two sets of sails.

To this end, any Etchells owners who are planning to enter the 2008 Chicago Worlds and who intend using chartered, borrowed or loaner boat hulls (in other words hulls that are not the ones in which they properly qualified) should request dispensation to this rule and that it should be done in advance of the regatta. A blanket approval for dispensation is most likely to be given to those owners who are applying for official loaner boats from the regatta organisers.

Anyone who wishes to apply for dispensation should email Jervis Tilly at jervistilly@yahoo.com giving reasons for their request, their boat number and the number of the hull they are chartering or borrowing. I would appreciate being copied into all requests at smithies@netspace.net.au