SCIRA Delays Implementation of Standardizaion for Builders until January 1,2001
A certied Snipe builder has asked the Rules Committee for an exception to the implementation of the rule passed by the Board in Spain to standardize the height of the mast step at 390mm from the sheer.At least three other builders have expressed similar sentiments.
While the 390mm number was chosen to best
balance of performance for the sailors against
difficulty in compliance for the builders,and
while the Rules Committee is firm in believing
that a standard step height and mast lenght
are in the best long term interests of SCIRA,The
Rules Committee is unanimous in feeling that
such an exception would be advisable in the
short term for these reasons:
(1)the Board acted in September,but the new
rule wasn't generally known until late in
October;
(2)builders whose current designs feature
a high mast step(Jibe-Tech,Vermillion,Okumura,Tsujido),for example,face substantial redesigh time
and expense in complying with the new rule;
(3)the hospitalization of the chairman of
the Rules Committee delayed the final official
publication of the new rule;
(4)SCIRA has an important tradition of working
with rather than against our sailors and
suppliers.
Therefore the Rules Committee recommended and the Board of Governors has voted,as of May 15,to delay the enforcement of the entire standardization program adopted in Spain until January 1,2001
Please forward any questions or comments to me at the adove address or directly to the SCIRA office.