INTRODUCTION
The race is an Official celebration event of the 500th anniversary of the
discovery of Brazil and is endorsed by the Federal Government of Brazil. As
an official ë500th Eventí the race start will be on 18th March. The Race is
expected to run for 21 days.
TEAM ENTRY
The Race will be competed between a maximum of 10 International Teams of
windsurfers with between 3-8 sailors in each team. A minimum of two thirds (2
out f 3) of a teams sailors must be from the same country to qualify for
entry. Countries will be represented by their National Flag and their
sponsor(s).
RACE STYLE
The style of race is a Team challenge with each Team consisting of between
3-8 sailors, the Team boat (RIB) and 2 Team boat drivers. For reasons of
safety the Organiser will supply the Team Boat (RIB) and the two drivers for
each Team as part of the entry fee cost. Engineers will be available on the
mothership for running repairs on the Team boats. However it is each Teams
responsibility to decide their own tactics, how hard to push, when to hold
back......all the decisions which lead to a successful challenge.
RACE ROUTE
The route (see diagram) allows for 4 separate Natural Stages:
Stage 1/ Algarve - Madiera (500nm)
Stage 2/ Madiera - Tenerife (250nm)
Stage 3/ Tenerife - Cape Verde (800nm)
Stage 4/ Cape Verde - Ceara (1400nm)
Click here for detail of Team Boat
RACE SCORING
Teams will be awarded points based on position finished for each stage of the
race. Each stage will carry a different amount of points based on its
length. Below is a table showing the points awarded for each leg in each
position:
Total points 1st (35%) 2nd (25%) 3rd (17%) 4th (10%) 5th (8%) 6th (5%)
Stage 1 500 175 125 85 50 40 25
Stage 2 300 105 75 51 30 24 15
Stage 3 800 280 200 136 80 64 40
Stage 4 1400 490 350 238 140 112 70
RACE FORMAT
The rules of the race are simple in that each team must have at least one
sailor in the water at any time who is sailing unassisted, the Race Officials
on each Team RIB will oversee this rule. The only exception to this rule is
if the Team RIB is not under-way and is only moving by drift or is involved
in emergency action in which case race head-quaters must be notified.
At specific points in each Stage there will be re-supply vessels stationed at
pre-determined latitude and longtitude positions which the each team must
rondez-vous at to obtain more food, fuel, water and any maintenance. Teams
may remain at these re-supply stations for as long as they need.
At the end of each stage there will be a 2 day rest period which will
commence as soon as the first Team finishes. Therefore the last team in each
stage will have the shortest rest period.
Each Team can have a maximum of 3 sailors/crew on their Team RIB which they
can change at the end of each stage. Also on the RIB will be 2 drivers and
one media person all selected independently by the Organiser.
SAFETY
The re-supply vessels (motherships) will be RSVís (Rescue Standby Vessel) or
similar which are normally positioned by oil rigs for emergency evacuation.
They will be capable of launching a rescue operation for emergencies and are
able to endure all forms of weather.
The Head-quarters of the Race will be based on land whwere the safety officer
will monitor the situation and advise the fleet in all matters relating to
safety and emergency. The fleet will be monitored by satellite tracking using
GPS positioning as well as through Satellite voice and data communication
units (sat-comís)
Each Team will have its' own designated 35ft ocean Rigid Inflatable Boat
(RIB) with twin-inboard diesel engines capable of over 40 knots and of
running in strong sea states. The RIBís will have fuel capacity of over 350nm
and will be equipped with all safety and first aid equipment. The Ribís will
be enclosed cabins with basic accommodation for 3 people as well as toilet
and kitchen facilities (see fig 2)
All the Team RIB's will be purpose built and will be driven by ex-Royal
Marine drivers supplied by a specialist safety agency.
Each sailor and RIB will have a GPS (Globo Positioning System) transmitter
attached to them which will be monitored by the Race Headquarters.
The minimum and the maximum wind limit is variable, at the discretion of the
safety committee, but the maximum will be approximately 35 knots but depend
more on the sea state than the wind strength. If the sea state is viewed as
dangerous then the safety officer has the right to order all racing to cease
until further notice.
Night sailing is at the discretion of each Team however to enhance night
sailing safety "Fire-flies" (intensive flashing lights) will be used on all
sailors and on the RIBís for visual aid.
A Royal Marine doctor and assistant with full medical back-up will be
provided.
THE RACE SAFETY COMMITTEE
Safety Officer Richard Clifford A Major in the SBS (Special Boat
Service) division of the Royal Marines, retired from 30 yrs service in 1997.
Richard is the most member of the safety committee
Race Director Louie Hubbard A Qualified Ocean Yachtmaster, Over 50,000 NM
professional sailing as Captain of yachts and five Atlantic crossing combined
with 4 years as Tour Manager for the PWA provide a balance of experience
needed to direct the course.
Medical Officer Chris Reid MBBS Surg Lt in the Royal Marines specialised in
ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support)
RIB Commanders Russ Kerslake / Steve Potter Ex-Royal Marine LCI SNCO's -
highly experienced in extreme RIB handling and safety. They now run a
specialist RIB safety agency ëInternational RIB Servicesí
Team Boat Drivers IRS trained All Drivers of the Team Boats will be highly
trained and experienced members of the IRS agency specialising in extreme RIB
handling and 1st aid / life support
RACE SCHEDULE
Schedule until Start Date
15th November 1999 Closing date for Team Entries
1st February 2000 Closing date for all artwork for team sponsors to be
delivered to organiser
11th March 2000 All Team RIBís will arrive in Algarve, Portugal
14th March 2000 Team RIBís available for Teams to train
16th March 2000 Accommodation provided free for 6 people per Team (3 rooms)
in Algarve
Safety briefing from 1200hrs all team sailors to be present
17th March 2000 Accommodation provided free for 6 sailors per Team (3 rooms)
in Algarve
Safety briefing and demoís 0800hrs ñ 1400hrs
Press conference 1500hrs
Send-off dinner 1900hrs
18th March 2000 1200hrs stage 1 start
Schedule During Event:
Arrival Madiera Accommodation provided free for 6 people per Team (3 rooms)
in Madiera for 2 nights commencing the day that the first Team finish
Stage 1 prize giving evening before stage 2 start
Depart Madiera 2 days later at 1200hrs start of stage 2
Arrive Tenerife Accommodation provided free for 6 people per Team (3 rooms)
in El Medano, Tenerife for 2 nights commencing the day that the first Team
finish
Stage 2 prize giving Evening before stage 3 start
Depart Tenerife 2 days later at 1200hrs start of stage 3
Arrive Cape Verde Accommodation provided free for 6 people per Team (3
rooms) in Cape Verde for 2 nights commencing the day that the first Team
finish
Stage 3 prize giving Evening before stage 4 start
Depart Cape Verde 2 days later at 1200hrs start of stage 4
Finish Ceara Accommodation provided free for 6 people per Team (3 rooms)
in Fortaleze, Ceara for 2 nights commencing the day that the first Team finish
Schedule ñ Media
18th March 2000 15 minute highlight tape / preview of all teams and sailors
and start of stage 1
Stage 1 end 5 minute news tape on stage 1 finish / interviews
Stage 2 start 15 minute highlight tape / preview of stage 1 and start of
stage 2
Stage 2 end 5 minute news tape on stage 2 finish / interviews
Stage 3 start 15 minute highlight tape / preview of stage 2 and start of
stage 3
Stage 3 end 5 minute news tape on stage 3 finish / interviews
Stage 4 start 15 minute highlight tape / preview of stage 3 and start of
stage 4
Race Finish 5 minute news tape each day that a Team finishes on stage 4
finish / interviews
Day after finish 15 minute highlight tape on race / interviews
May 2000 60 minute documentary on Race
June 2000 2 x 26minute ëWorld Windsurfingí shows
Equipment and Provision supplied by Organiser
Per team
Team Boat 35 foot long Rigid inflatable enclosed RIB. Range 400nm with
speed of 40 knots via 2 x 250hp inboard engines. Sleeping for 3 people in
ëcot berthsí. Gas burning cooker and sink with fresh water pump. Toilet with
manual flush to holding tank. Quality certified by Lloyds of London and the
Hellenic Registrar of Shipping. Safety approved by the International Safety
Organisation.
Team Drivers: 2 drivers supplied through International RIB Services and the
Organiser.
Insurance: 3rd party event and liability insurance
Food / Drink : Packaged daily rations of food will be provided by the
organiser which will contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals and
carbohydrates for a crew of 6 people.* specialised food may be brought by
each team however the team must be aware of the space/weight and storage
restrictions.
Flights: Travel and flights for the 2 drivers
Accommodation: Accommodation provided for 2 nights in Algarve, Madiera,
Tenerife, Cape Verde and Ceara for 6 team members (this number is to include
the 2 drivers)
Fuel / Oil: Fuel and Oils for the duration of the Race.
Engineers : Engineers and basic spares for the engines will be aboard the
re-supply boats however major repairs might result in retirement from the
Race.
Communications: A Sat-com data/voice communications unit
Surveillance: Transmitters on the RIB for 24hr safety cover reported
directly to the Head quarters and the monitoring of the signals
RIB Shipping: Shipping of the RIB to Algarve for the finish and back from
Ceara
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