A-Cat 2020 North American Virtual Regatta October 1-31, 2020

A clever initiative by the US A-Class Association within current times and major events postponements. Running a “virtual” regatta with actual sailing done at home by the North Americans A-Cat sailors. NOR below sent by Bailey White / USACA. Official virtual regatta web aworlds.com/2020-virtual-regatta

2020 North American Virtual Regatta
October 1-31, 2020
Anywhere you happen to be

Sponsored By:
USACA – AWorlds – Mahoney Projects – SailMax – Zhik – Ronstan – Robline – TotalBoat

1. Intent
   The USACA and Canadian A Cat Association would like to encourage our members to participate in this “vitual” event.
   
   In a time when we cannot host traditional large events, we want to encourage our sailors to continue to stay active and provide motivation to keep training and developing. The media generated will help with future sponsorship, fleet growth, event promotion (particularly the 2021 Worlds), and above all, the event should be FUN. The entire month of October is open for you to pick your venue and weather window, grab a few friends and lay down the fastest runs possible. There are lots of categories other than speed, so everyone has a shot at some great prizes from our Sponsors.
   
2. Venue
   2.1 The Venue for the event is any safe body of water. Obey all regulations, and if you are sailing in a new venue, please consult charts and observe all safety procedures.
   2.2 The Event Website will be hosted on www.aworlds.com. Please visit the site often to upload your data and check on the competition.
   
3. Safety
   3.1 Please consult applicable local, state and CDC guidelines for any COVID-19 concerns or precautions. Use common sense and be safe.
   3.2 Although most competitors will be sailing in their home waters, please keep safety in mind and sail with a friend. Try to have a motorboat with you, or on standby. You can enlist them as your photographer as well!
   As usual, cellphones & VHFs are recommended to be on your person at all times, and file a float plan with your emergency contact before heading out.
   
4. Eligibility and Entry
   4.1 All competitors shall be fully paid-up members of the USACA or Canadian A Cat Association.
   4.2 Open and Classic A Class Catamarans in legal race trim are invited to compete.
   4.3 Entries shall be considered valid upon receipt of class dues.
   4.4 You are considered “registered” when you submit data to the event and have met the above requirements.
   No registration forms are required.
   
5. Fees
   5.1 Class dues are $40 per year; there is NO additional entry fee.
   5.2 Dues can be paid via PayPal as a “Friend” to [email protected]
   OR
   Mail a check payable to, “USACA” to 1460 Woodcrest Drive, Roswell GA 30075
   5.3 Canadian members should contact Larry Woods at [email protected] for more information.
   
6. Rules
   6.1 All current IACA technical rules, including the Classic Definition, shall apply.
   6.2 To be considered a valid entry, you must tag our sponsors listed in section 11 when posting to social media.
   6.3 Reckless, unsafe or otherwise unsuitable content will not be valid and shall be removed from the competition.
   6.4 Please refrain from foul language in videos while crashing (bleep it out, or add a soundtrack).
   6.5 We will use the honor system for Performance category events and trust that GPS speeds will be captured while sailing only.
   
7. Format of Racing
   7.1 There are 3 Major Categories: Performance, Endurance, and Sailing/Showboat Video Contest
   They are broken into subcategories which will have their own prizes.
   7.2 Performance – Who can be fastest throughout the event?
   To submit your speed, head to www.aworlds.com and upload a photo of your GPS device showing your
   speed (preferably with you beside your boat) within 24 hours of completion of the run.
   
   The leaderboard will be live throughout the event, so check back regularly to see how you are ranked. You may enter as many
   times as you like, as hopefully you’ll improve your own record throughout the event.
   Subcategories:
   – Outright Top Speed, Foiling
   – Top Speed 10 Second Average, Foiling
   – Outright Top Speed, Classic
   – Top Speed 10 second average, Classic
   
   Additional prizes:
   – Outright Speed Women’s
   – Outright Speed Junior (under 18 on October 1, 2020)
   
   7.3 Endurance – Who puts in the time and miles?
   Can anyone sail every day for a month??? Who will sail the farthest? To update your log, head to www.aworlds.com and follow the links. You’ll be asked for a photo each day that you sail. Have fun with it – there are additional prizes for best photos from the event – so make them memorable! Update your log within 24 hours of completion of the run. We want competitors to keep a running tally to promote competition, rather than showing your hand at the end of the event.
   
   Subcategories:
    Most Distance Sailed During Event – in Nautical Miles
    Most Days Sailed During Event
   
   7.4 Sailing/Showboat Video Contest – Show off your boat and share great days on the water!
   
   Submit a 1 – 3 minute video and show off your ride, for fame or shame! Share your days on the water and/or give us a showboat tour on land. Try to highlight any innovations of the era, particularly special features, specific history, etc.
   
   To submit videos, please head to www.aworlds.com and follow the links. You’ll be
   prompted to pick one of the subcategories below. You may enter as many times as you like, as you generate new content.
   
   Subcategories:
   – Most Innovative Boat – Show us what is/was innovative and new about your boat, even from the 1980’s!
   – Best Rigging – Show off your creative rigging
   – Best in Show – Pre 2000 Vintage
   – Best in Show – 2000 and Later
   – Fastest Speed Run Supported by Video – Try to share what it’s like on your fastest speed run
   – Best Wipeout – You know you’ve had them, now catch them on video!
   – Best Stunt – Show us your moves!
   – Pure Sailing – Just great sailing days on the A Cat!
   
8. Schedule of Events
   8.1 The event shall be open for submissions from 12:00am CST on October 1, 2020 and shall conclude at 11:59pm CST on October 31, 2020. All valid entries MUST both take place and be submitted in the event window.
   
   No previously filmed or documented submissions are permitted and shall not be eligible for prizes.
   8.2 There will be a Zoom Trophy Presentation on Friday, November 6th, 2020 at 6:00pm CST to announce the winners. Details for the meeting will be sent to the USACA Google Groups email list by the end of the event.
   
9. Scoring/Judging
   9.1 The judges consist of your elected Board Members. It is a silent process in which the judges rank submissions on a scale from 1-10. They submit their votes to the President for tabulation, and he shall cast the deciding vote in the case of a tie.
   9.2 Judges that make a submission to a category shall abstain from voting in that category.
   9.3 Judges shall not speak to each other about the submissions, and scores shall not be revealed after the voting.
   
10. Prizes
    First place in each subcategory shall receive a prize tailored towards the category for which they are presented.
    Additional Prizes –awarded by our panel of judges
    – Most in Need of New Rigging
    – Most Creative use of Carbon Fiber
    – Best Quick and Dirty Repair
    – Highest Video Production Quality
    – Best Drone Video
    – Best Music Video
    – Most Creative Use of Camera
    – Most Humorous Video
    – Best Photo of the Event
    Global Fan Favorite – Awarded based on worldwide audience vote at the conclusion of the event.
    
    Weekly Awards – We want you to post early and often!
    – Photo of the Week
    – Video of the Week
    – Most Active Competitor
    
11. Sponsors
    Please take the time to tag our sponsors in your social media postings and thank them for their support.
    USACA – The United States A Class Association https://usaca.info/
    Facebook: USAClass
    Instagram: US_Aclass
    AWorlds.com – Home of the 2021 A Class World Championship – Just You and the World
    www.aworlds.com
    Social Media: AWorlds
    
    Mahoney Projects – Providing championship-level coaching, custom composite projects, and complete rigging solutions www.mahoneyprojects.us
    Instagram: mahoneyprojects
    
    Ronstan – Quality supplier of marine fittings; long-time sponsor of USACA www.ronstan.com
    
    Social Media: #ronstansailing, #sailon
    Robline – Performance sailboat cordage www.roblineropes.com
    Social Media: #roblineropes
    
    SailMax – Take your sailing performance to the Max with innovative lightweight rigging solutions [email protected]
    Social Media: #SailMax
    
    Zhik – Innovative gear for the aspiring athlete – More world champions & Olympic sailors from all over the globe trust in Zhik gear to help them win than any other brand
    www.zhik.com
    Social Media: #Zhik
    
    TotalBoat – Tools and Inspiration for Craftsmen & A Cat Sailors!
    https://www.totalboat.com/
    Social Media: @totalboat on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
    
12. Insurance
    Each participating boat shall have valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of at least $300,000 (or equivalent) per incident.
    
13. Risk Statement
    Competitors participate in this event at their own risk. “Decision to Race.” The organizing authority, the sponsors, the race committee, officers, board of directors of the USACA, Canadian A Cat Association, IACA and all those involved in these organizations will not accept any responsibility for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during or after this event. By taking part:
    a) They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure
    of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;
    b) They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;
    c) They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omission;
    d) Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;
    e) It is their responsibility to familiarize themselves with any risks specific to this venue or this event drawn to their attention in any rules and information produced for the event.
    
14. Media Rights, Camera and Electronic Equipment
    Where consent has been given for imagery, competitors grant to the Organizing Authority, United States A Class Catamaran Association and the Event Sponsors, the right in perpetuity to make, use and show, from time to time at their discretion, any photographs, motion pictures and live, taped or filmed television and other reproductions of the athlete during the period of competition without compensation.
    
15. Event Contact Information
    Bruce Mahoney, Organizer: [email protected]
    Emmanuel Cerf, Website Host: [email protected]
    Bailey White, Class President: [email protected]
    
16. Video & Photo Reference Material
    To help inspire some ideas, we have compiled a list of various A Cat videos utilizing different mounting locations and various levels of editing. We strongly recommend that whatever camera mount you use, you incorporate a tether to your camera in case the mount fails!
    
    Some video examples of different camera mount locations:
    Chase Cam: https://vimeo.com/184678182
    Boom Mount: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sONyVtKfXc&t=15
    Forestay Mount: https://youtu.be/gSuyf4A0YBQ
    Mike Krantz has built a run of these mounts – [email protected]
    Head Cam: https://youtu.be/3F1e9jzdSxg
    Coach Boat, from phone: https://youtu.be/NN1gb6hC2MU
    Professional Videos:
    Multiple Angles: https://youtu.be/fa_N6FQMgMk
    Manteo, NC NA’s: https://vimeo.com/97688428
    Popular Camera Options
    GoPro
    Garmin VIRB
    Extreme Pro 4K
    Editing Tips
    HD video can generate massive amounts of data. Try to start/stop your videos frequently to keep the file size
    manageable. For example setup your boat for a downwind run, then when you’re fully ready, begin recording.
    After 3-5 minutes, stop recording and start again.
    Popular Editing Software
    Mac Users – iMovie
    PC users – Windows Video Editor
    GoPro Editor
    YouTube has basic editing capabilities