Rules and Stuff

So, we’ve had a communication from the current rules committee who have sent us some new DF65 and DF95 rules documents which clarify a number of things that have come up since the last revisions, including the repair situation.

“The current DF Rules Committee have been hard at work collating and assessing all the small rule changes that have suggested for both classes, as well as making some larger, fundamental changes ahead of handing the rules over to the new DF International Class Rules Sub-committee. The new DF65 Rules (version 1.7) & DF95 Rules (Version 1.3) can be found under the relevant class headings on the www.dfracing.world website along with supporting diagrams where necessary.

There are two versions of each class rules available. A straight copy of the Rules and a version which highlights the changes and gives some explanation as why they have been introduced.

The main changes you should look at cover ‘Repairs’ (65 & 95) which try to clarify what is an acceptable repair to the minority of hulls that show cracking around the finbox. This issue is being worked on by the designers and the Licensed Builder, but for now this new rule defines the extent of the repair. The battery Pack rule now defines the positions of battery packs and many smaller changes covering items such as the Winch Line Clips etc.

The DF65 rules have been updated to bring the wording and definitions inline with the DF95 rules, mainly on the subject of Sail Numbering, which now removes the reference to the RG65 class rules. In the Sails section the Mainsail Foot Profiles are defined using a published template rather than the slightly vague ‘fair curve’  description in the old rules.

None of the changes should should affect existing boats, they have been made for added clarity and greater commonality between the two DF classes.

As ever, the most important Rule (A.5 Spirit of the Rules) should be your guiding light.

Good Sailing all.

John Tushingham”

Clarification on Repairs to DF Hulls

So, it seems that there has been some confusion on the issue of repairing DF hulls that have broken and how that repair might affect the use of that repaired hull in another event in the future. Rather than have a million opinions on it and have everyone’s blood pressure rise unnecessarily we’ve had a chat to the DF Rules committee as it is currently and they have issued the following Rule interpretation for everyone to digest. The interpretation will also apply to the DF65 rules and more definition of what constitutes a legal repair will be detailed in upcoming rule revisions.

I don’t need to say any more than this, the rules committee statement below speaks for itself.

” The DF Rules committee have been made aware of a published interpretation by the American DF95 Executive of Rule A.7 ‘Repairs’ in the current DF95 Class Rules (Version 1.2). Their interpretation was never presented to the rules committee and does not reflect the original intention of the rule.

It is evident that in a minority of hulls there is an issue of cracking around the keel box, this is most likely due to inertia of the keel bulb during a collision or rough handling of the boat. In some instances it may be due to variations during the manufacturing process resulting in a thinner skin in this area. Rule A.7 allows for repairs to be made “provided they are not intended to enhance the original function or performance of the damaged items”. The Rules Committee and the rules author consider that a localised, internal repair around the base of the keel box is acceptable and will not enhance performance or change the original function of the hull. However, if the repair extends beyond this area or introduces additional structure, such as stiffening ribs or bulkheads, then it would clearly be a breach of rules A.5, A.6 & A.7.

Joysway have made several modifications to the moulding process to try and rectify this issue and are working with the designers on new ways to overcome this issue. In the next versions of the class rules, which will be published shortly, we will try to clarify the extent of what is considered a legitimate repair to the keel box area and there will be no time limit placed on the life of such a repair. In most class rules repairs are allowed, the DF classes should be no different provided they comply with any definitions in the class rules. Replacement hulls are available at a very reasonable cost but we feel that an owner should have the option to undertake a class legal repair and continue sailing their boat.

John Tushingham
28 May 2021
On behalf of the Rules Committee.”


Formation of the International DF Class Association

The Working Group has now finalised the Constitution and Regulations after considerable consultation, editing, checking and discussion. The Group received invaluable assistance from over 12 regions and from key contributors with extensive experience in these matters. We would specifically like to acknowledge and thank Bob Lewis (Canada), Gary Boell and Steve Landau (USA) for their guidance and wise counsel.

There has been universal agreement with the final document, so we are ready to move to the next phase.

1) You can view the documents (links above), and any further feedback would be appreciated.

2) Through April, we will be calling for nominations for Nations to apply for World Council membership. Please discuss your country’s nomination within your association, radio sailing national authority, group or fleet in preparation for our request. Each country will be required to sign a Membership Agreement, and can formally express membership interest via this application form.

3) In May, we’ll be formalising Membership Agreements with all Nations that have applied, and will be calling for nominations for office bearers.

4) The inaugural World Council meeting will be scheduled around the first week of June to formally elect all positions, and accept the Constitution and Regulations.

To conduct the first meeting when elections will be held, the Working Group has appointed an interim committee to act in the designated roles. The temporary appointees are:

  • Acting Chairman – Phil Burgess (AUS)
  • Acting Vice Chairman – Chris Dance (AUS)
  • Acting Secretary – Russ Gardner (USA)
  • Acting Treasurer – Wayne Stobbs (GBR)
  • Licensed Builders’ Representative – John Tushingham (GBR)

In addition, the acting Rules Sub-committee will comprise John Tushingham and Chris Dance. Further subcommittee members will be appointed by the newly elected World Council to assist with International Regattas.

The Working Group are excited about the next phase and are looking forward to all Nations having a voice in how the association evolves to supports the DF65 and DF95 moving forward.

Draft ICA Constitution

DraftWow.  2020 has been a disruptive year! I’m sure many DF Sailors have had some disruptions to their sailing calendars.  Oh well! It has given us some extra time to do some “shore work”. Over the past few months, a small working group has been working on establishing an International Class Association (ICA) Constitution.  This process has been guided by the objectives and principles set up in the Focus Group Output, and has also tapped into the experience of a number of sailors and other class associations.  Much of the constitution is based on the IOM Class Association Constitution with modifications and additions to:

  • Support the multi-class structure, and a restricted one-design production/manufactured class.
  • Simplify country voting and vote allocations in a way that is easy to determine, and works with a production class that does not allocate measurement certificates.
  • General cleanup and simplification based on advice and experience from a number of contributors.
  • Addition of new sections that underpin the classes’ principles and values, in the form of a Founders’ Statement as a Preamble, and an Online Community Code of Conduct in the Regulations.

We are now publishing the draft for a public comment phase for 2 weeks (ending 31th Dec 2020), and are seeking input from DF sailors with skills and experience in this area of administration.  Comments can be made directly in the documents, or by emailing dance.chris@gmail.com .

📄 An FAQ covering some thinking behind key decisions

📄 The Draft Constitution

📄 The Draft Regulations

International DF Update – ICA Constitution

Many of you will be aware of the great work done by the initial focus group to assist in the development of the Founders Statement which was released in (November 2019). This followed a meeting in Dallas in 2018 to develop an international structure to provide support and administration functions to the classes around the world. This key document can be found in the prior post.

The second step is now underway. This involves preparing a Constitution that strongly reflects the values of the Founders Statement, and to develop a draft set of Regulations, setting out the functions and processes in more detail as outlined on the Focus Group output.

This Working Group assisting this phase consists of:

Chris Dance (AUS – Vice President, Australian DF Association)
Wayne Stobbs (UK – Membership Secretary, DF Racing UK Class Association)
Matt Hanson (SWE – Chairman, Swedish DF Association)
Russ Gardner (USA – DF95 Class Secretary AMYA USA)
Phil Burgess (AUS – President, Australian DF Association)

As part of this piece of work, the Working Group would like to hear from owners in every country that race the classes whether socially or competitively, new or well established fleets. We already have contacts in Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Holland and Germany and would like to understand what is happening elsewhere. The growth of both classes has been phenomenal and the proposed Association’s key focus will be supporting newer countries become more established.

The Working Group expects to complete this work within the next few months (Nov/Dec) before moving to stage 3 which will be the formation of an International Association and vote in the inaugural committees.

How you can help?
If you are a representative of a DF Association or Group in your country, or you would like to be the initial point of contact where we can seek information on your fleet/country’s activities and obtain feedback on issues that may arise, then please complete this form.

The next step in going global!

 

IMG_4977
John Tushingham addressing the crowed at the DF95 Globals in November

At the DF95 Global Championships in Texas, USA last year, John Tushingham announced the formation of a Focus Group to help put together a Founders’ Statement and some initial information to guide the formation of an International Class Association (ICA).  I’m pleased to announce that the initial work of this group is now complete and we’re pushing it out for a Public Comment phase as follows:

  • 3 week public comment phase (ending 15th October)
  • The Focus Group will review comments and will use this to help refine
  • The final version of this document will be handed over to a Working Group to undertake the work to formally create an ICA

You can read the Focus Group Output here.  It’s a public document and anyone can view and leave comments.

DF Focus Group Output

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C8OUAke7yNPkIpReuxB_8YrrieVrc0KTffH42yjuyj8/edit?usp=sharing

Please be constructive and solution focused with your feedback.  Also keep in mind that any comments are public. If you want to provide more private feedback, please feel free to email me at dance.chris@gmail.com and I’ll make sure it’s pushed to the group.

Expressions of interest for the next phase

We’re also seeking expressions of interest for those that may be able to help in the Working Group phase to assist with creating the formal parts of the ICA. e.g. the “fun stuff” like the paperwork, constitution, etc.  If you have skills in this area, or a strong interest in helping form an ICA to grow the DF classes, please fill out the expression of interest form.  We’d love to see representation from a wider group of countries at this phase.

This is a fantastic time for the DF classes.  The DF65 and DF95 grow from strength to strength and is now arguably the fastest growing sailing class in the world! Forming a global class association with such a strong set of community focused founding principles is very unique – not just in radio sailing, but in sailing in general!  We’re confident this step will set the class up for a strong future.