NOTICE OF RACE

2005 MISTRAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP XXVII edition
Palermo, Mondello  Italy – May 11^th >20^th 2005
An International Windsurfing Association sanctioned event

1.EVENT
1.1 The 2005 Mistral World Championship (MWC) will be held from May 11th >20th 2005. 

2. ORGANISER
2.1 The Championships will be organized by Albaria Windsurf Club, Palermo, Mondello Italy for and on behalf of and under specified conditions laid down by IMCO International in co-operation with the ISAF.

  3. VENUE
3.1 The event will be based on the Albaria Windsurf Club which is in Mondello Beach, 20 km from Palermo International Airport and 5 km from Palermo. The average conditions that can be expected in May are: wind speeds between 5 > 25 knots; Water temperature+17C; and Air temperature is +20C

4. RULES
4.1 This is an ISAF sanctioned event governed by:
4.1.1 The Rules as defined in the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing for 2005 - 2008 ("RRS")
4.1.2 The Mistral One Design Championship Rules
4.1.3 Alterations to the SIs must be approved by the Event Director and the Class’s Race Supervisor;
4.1.4 Attendance at the Prize Giving & Closing Ceremony is mandatory for coaches, team leaders & competitors. 
4.2 IMCO is classified as a category 'C' class as set out in ISAF Regulation 20 - Advertising Code.

5.ELIGIBILITY & DISCIPLINE
5.1 All entries shall meet the requirements of ISAF Regulation 19 – Eligibility Code
5.2 A minimum of 3 races is required for a valid Championship/Series in that Class/Division.
5.3 Competitors shall possess valid third party liability insurance and shall have been issued an ISAF Sailor Number.
5.4 Competitors shall be members of a National IMCO or of IMCO International. National Associations shall be in good standing. The IWA are empowered to receive membership & entry fees on behalf of IMCO International.
5.5 Class membership formalities can be completed on site.

6 CLASSES
6.1 Mistral World Championship (MWC)
6.1.1 The Championship shall be a single discipline event for Divisions A & B.
6.1.2 The maximum size of a fleet/division shall be 120. Men (A) and Women (B) shall race separately, each in a maximum 12 race series over 7 days which shall include one reserve day, which may be used for racing.
6.1.3 This is event is open to competitors who qualified internationally to race at the 2004 World Championship; 2004 European Championship; or qualify nationally in 2005 according to criteria established by the national IMCO concerned and who are allocated a place by right; subject to a maximum entry of 120 per class. IMCO reserve the right to refuse any entry.
6.1.4 Entry may be subject to the agreement of the relevant national authority.
6.2 Mistral European Championship (MEC)
6.2.1 The first European man and woman in the MWC final ranking shall be the 2005 Mistral European Champion
6.2.2 The first European youth man and woman in the MWC final ranking shall be the 2005 Mistral European Youth Champion.
6.3 Nations Cup
6.3.1 The scores of the top 2 competitors from each nation entered both in the MWC and the Sicily Cup will be added together to form the final ranking in the Nations Cup. Such scores will be taken from the final ranking of each event.
6.3.2 A prize fund of €10,000 minimum will be divided equally between Division A & B. The top 3 teams will share the available prize money. 1st Place – €2,500; 2nd Place – €1,500; 3rd Place – €1,000. If the total prize fund is able to be increased, it will be split using the principles established above with each team receiving an increased amount according to the percentage awarded above.

7 DIVISIONS
7.1 Men (A); Women (B)
7.2 A youth shall be under the age of 20 on December 31st 2005.
7.3 Only divisions specified within each championship will apply.

8. EQUIPMENT
8.1 All competitors may bring their own equipment.

9. MEASUREMENT.
9.1 Each Competitor shall ensure that his/her sailboard and equipment conforms to the current Class Rules.
9.2 Measurement and equipment checks may be made throughout the event.
9.3 Competitors and their equipment shall be on site by 0900 hrs on May 12thth 2005. Competitors shall book a measurement time slot by signing in at the measurement area after picking up their measurement form from the registration desk.

10. SAIL INSIGNIAS
10.1 National letters & sail numbers comply with Class Rule C.9.2. Otherwise they shall comply with RRS App G 1.2 for craft less than 3.5 m in length. (Alteration of RRS Appendix B7.2)"

11 BUOYANCY
11.1 If personal buoyancy is prescribed every competitor & support boat crewmember shall wear, above the waist, a jacket, harness, or vest with minimum buoyancy of 4kg uninflated, in fresh water. The buoyancy shall be tested with a ferrous metal weight of 4kg, which shall remain supported for a minimum of 5 minutes.

12. LIABILITY
12.1 Competitors take part in all races at their own risk. The LOA & IMCO or any of their officials or representatives or the sponsors or their officials or representatives are not responsible, under any circumstances, for any damage, loss or injury either ashore or on the water either to persons or equipment, which may result. Participation in this event, supporting events and in each race in them is at the sole discretion of the sailor and at his/her own risk. Notice is drawn to RRS 4.

13. COURSES
13.1 The event shall include course racing, long distance and slalom. All raced on the Mistral One Design. Trapezoidal or windward/leeward courses shall be used for course racing. ‘Gates’ may be used in place of single leeward marks.

14. SCORING
14.1 The RRS low points scoring system (App. Section 1 A4.1) will apply. 

15. INTERNATIONAL JURY
15.1 An International Jury will be appointed in accordance with the RRS 70.4. Their decisions will be final and cannot be appealed.

16. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS (SI)/EVENT PROGRAMME
16.1 The 'Championship SIs' will be available at registration as will the Event Programme scheduling social events.
17. COACHES & TEAM SUPPORT PERSONNEL
17.1 Coaches and team support personnel are required to register in advance at a cost of Euro 25 each.
17.2 Coach boats will be available for charter on a first come, first served basis. Please apply to the organisers for costs and availability.(FORM 3). Please make your reservation early to avoid disappointment.

18. SCHEDULE  

   Sicily Grand Prix (See Separate NoR*)  
* All competitors entered in the MWC are automatically entered in Sicily Grand Prix

19. DRUG TESTING.
19.1 Competitors are reminded of the ISAF rules and regulations concerning the use of banned methods and substances. Drug testing may take place during the event.

20. MEDALS AND PRIZES
20.1 Medals may be awarded to the first five Men/Women in each class; Medals may be awarded to the first three M/W Youth, Junior, Minim, Master, G. Master; The top 5 competitors of  World Festival On The Beach (MWC+Sicily Grand Prix) and the top three teams of Nation Cup.
20.2 The First Man/Woman in the MWC shall be known as the Mistral World Champion
20.3 Please also see Article # 6.2 & 6.,3

21. TELEVISION AND MEDIA
21.1 In registering for the event, competitors automatically grant to the Organising Authority and IMCO International the right in perpetuity to make, use and show from time to time at their discretion, any motion pictures, still pictures and live, taped or filmed television and other reproductions of them, taken during the period of the event, for the said Championship as defined in the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions in which he/she participates without compensation.

22.  BIBS/VESTS & COMPETITORS SAIL BRANDING.
22.1 During racing, competitors may be required by the organisers to wear bibs/vests carrying the event sponsors' branding; and carry the event sponsor's advertising on their sails. The maximum area that the event sponsor’s branding may occupy is 600mmX1000mm immediately below batten #4
22.2 The top 20 competitors in the MWC Divisions A & B may be seeded & may carry their seeding # on their bibs/vests.

23. DRESS CODE
23.1 Smart casual clothes will be required for the Opening Ceremony and Prize Giving Ceremony.
23.2 The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to those whose standard of attire is not commensurate with the occasion.

24. ACCOMMODATION
24.1 Special room rates have been arranged at various Mondello Hotels for registered competitors and national coach/team leaders; a complete list with prices will be sent to all Nations upon request.

25. Air Travel/Transportation
25.1 It is possible to fly to Palermo Sicily via Paris, London, Berlin, Tunis, Venice, Bologna, Genova, Milan or Rome using normal scheduled airlines.
25.2 Transfers of passengers, luggage and their equipment from the Airport (20Kms away) to the Regatta Site is will be charged at €uro 15 each way per person and a further €uro 15 each way per complete set of OD equipment. TO BE ACCEPTED, TRANSFER BOOKINGS MUST BE MADE A MINIMUM OF 15 DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL IN SICILY. Payment shall be made on site.
25.4 Special fares will be arranged for those competitors coming by ferry from Genoa or Naples. Specific list of prices will be send to each Nation. The current ???
25.5 Neither the organising authority nor IMCO take responbibility for travel bookings made in error.

26. REGISTRATION
26.1 The registration office during the regatta will be at : The Albaria Club, Tel: +39 091 684 4483 Fax: +39 091 684 3785
E-mail: albaria@tin.it; URL:  www.albaria.com: Web Site: www.wwfestival.com
26.2 Competitors shall produce the following prior to completing registration formalities on site: 
- Original Regatta Entry Form (Form 1)                                      - Proof of age (Passport)
- Original Bank Transfer/Draft details                                        - Evidence of valid third party insurance
- Parental/legal Guardian Assent (Form 2) if needed              - Measurement Form signed by the Official Measurer
- Medical treatment permission (Form 6)

  28. ENTRIES & PAYMENT
28.1 Entry fees are as stated on the attached entry form (Form 1) and shall be paid at the time of entry by MasterCard, Visa Card or bank transfer only by March 31st. A discount of €uro 40 may be taken for payments received before this date. Payments made on site shall be made without discount unless special arrangement has been made with IMCO Int.
28.2 Competitors should enter in advance electronically through the IWA website at www.internationalwindsurfing.com  or by faxing +44 2392 468831) or mailing an official entry form (Form 1) with their entry fees. The Entry Forms may be downloaded from the IMCO website at www.imco.org
28.3 Money Transfers shall be in the name of: The International Windsurfing Association and be sent to:
Account Name:                  The International Windsurfing Association
Euro Account #:                 52977299
Sort Code:                           20-08-44
Bank Details:                      Barclays Bank Plc, Birmingham, UK (Bank charges to your account)
IBAN:                                     GB93 BARC 2008 4452 9772 99
SWIFTBIC:                           BARCGB22 (Bank Identifier Code) 
28.4 or by Cheque /Bankers Draft, drawn on a British Bank to: International Windsurfing Association
Mengham Cottage, Mengham Lane,  Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 9JX,
United Kingdom  - Tel: +44 (0) 2392 468831 Fax: +44 (0) 2392 468831
E-Mail: info@internationalwindsurfing.com
28.5 All exchange Bank or Card charges will be added to your account.
28.6 Entry fees paid on site shall be made in Euros Only. No credit Cards, Cheques or other currencies will be accepted.