Mumm 30 Owners Meeting

January 21, 1997

Key West, Florida

ATTENDEES:

Geoff Stagg opened the meeting at 4:15 p.m. by thanking everyone for coming to Key West, and stated that Renee would not be arranging dockage for next year, thank you very much.

The 1997 schedule was opened for discussion to decide a fifth event for the circuit. Jeff Udell suggested that the Heart Cup in Atlantic City be nominated. Dates for the event were August 8-10. He stated that the Mumm 30s would have their own racecourse, jury, and the boats would be off the water by 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. The State Marina facility would dock the boats, which was located in Abeking, not Atlantic City, therefore housing would be less expensive. Last year the event was billed as the East Coast Championship and 8 boats attended. Last year was light air, but the sea breeze usually runs in the neighborhood of 12-18 knots. Jeff also mentioned that Barb Slagowitz was coordinating the New Jersey/Long Island Sound regional schedule.

Jim Flanagan proposed that the spring regatta be held in Marblehead as part of the Doyle/Saucony Invitational event over Memorial Day weekend. He offered free launch and haul, free moorings and launch service, and arrangement of a crane. Jim said that the sea breeze was reliable that time of year because the water was still cold. To avoid holiday traffic into town, Jim advised that people arrive on Thursday or early Friday. Housing would be arranged through the 3 area yacht clubs, who would also host parties. A champagne and lobster dinner was offered to the winners of the event.

Renee Mehl suggested that the Lewmar Cup in Annapolis be included as the last event of the 1997 Circuit, since there was a lot of interest in returning to the venue.

It was also mentioned that the Chicago NOOD was interested in giving the Mumm 30 Class a one design start, but the regatta dates were not known.

Geoff Stagg said that there seven events proposed, and the Class should narrow down the field. There were four approved events on the schedule, plus Marblehead, Lewmar Cup and Heart Cup. Harbor Springs (Michigan) was also mentioned as a possible US Circuit event. It was mentioned that both the Heart Cup and Harbor Springs events posed conflicts with the existing scheduling time frame, in that they were too close together for an owner to reasonably compete in both the Heart Cup and the Verve Cup, or the NYYC regatta and Harbor Springs. Barry Carroll advocated leaving the Verve Cup on the schedule so that the Great Lakes region was represented, because it was a great event last year. Geoff Stagg agreed, therefore the Heart Cup should be dropped from consideration for the US Circuit. Renee suggested that it could still be billed as the East Coast Championship. Dave Koski recalled that at last years Verve Cup meeting, two Lakes events would be on the schedule for 1997. Stagg said that there are at least 10 Mumm 30s in Chicago now, and that the Verve Cup should stay on the schedule over Heart Cup. A vote was taken and passed, which finalized the 1997 schedule to include Key West, SORC, Marblehead, NYYC One Design, Verve Cup and Lewmar Cup. It was proposed to have the best 3 out of 6 events count for the overall circuit points. The motion passed with two owners against. Marty Slagowitz asked what the scoring system would be, and Geoff replied that it would be the same as 1996, high point scoring, with the best 3 events counting for the circuit. Marty also asked if there would be a late weigh-in at the SORC. Renee assured him that the SORC organizers were very helpful, and if they didn't do a late weigh -in, we could probably borrow their scale.

Dave Irish was introduced to speak on 1997 Changes in the US Sailing definitions for competitor eligibility. Dave said that the new drafting was written to make the classifications clearer and more concise. The new ruling has a broader definition of 2s and 3s, where nearly all sailmakers and boat builders are grouped as 3s. The decision for the Class is what to do within the Class Rule. All owners should be polled regarding a proposed rule change to allow (2) Group 3 competitors and (1) Group 2 competitor under the new eligibility rules. Irish added that the new rules would be adopted starting in April. Farr International will circulate the proposed Rule change, the new Eligibility definitions and a summary of the options available to the owners and ask for a class vote. Dave Irish said that he or Mary Savage with US Sailing would be available to answer questions about the new definitions.

Marty Slagowitz argued that he wanted to take his BN sailing, but since he's a Group 3, he couldn't take a sailmaker as well, so why couldn't the BN's be classified separately as a Group 2? Geoff Stagg interjected that we wrote the Class Rules so that US Sailing could be the independent judging group, and they wouldn't be able to perform that function if the Class Rules were different than US Sailing Rules. David Koski said that (2) Group 3s could be a disaster, in that the door would be open to take a Brady and a Kostecki. Dave Irish came back to say that every single sailmaker that has applied for a Ruling has been deemed a Group 3 to date. Marty suggested changing the class rules. Peter Morton reminded that group that it is an international class, and the class should write their own rules. Stagg suggested disregarding the US Sailing Rules for European events, although US Sailing would give rulings on anyone, as per Dave Irish. Barry Carroll pointed out that if a sailmaker races with a customer, he's a Group 3 for one year. Stagg again suggested that the Class retain US Sailing as the policing body for this Rule. Mark Sorenson advocated that the decision shouldn't be made at the next class meeting (SORC), and Geoff reassured him that the issue would be put to all the owners in the form of a poll.

The next item on the agenda was the Mumm 30 Owners Executive Committee. Renee explained that the idea was brought up by Gene Young, the owner of Need for Speed. The group is composed of the regional representatives; Charlie Lawrence - Great Lakes, Jim Flanagan - Northeast, Gene Young Southeast, Al Keiser - Chesapeake, and Dave Irish, the proposed Member-at large. The group would represent the owners of their regions with regard to Class matters, and as a liaison between owners and the Management Group. Dave Irish added that the Executive Committee should be an international representative system to allow more input from owners, and reflect the international character of the class. Geoff Stagg said that the Mumm 36 Class had a similar setup with the World Council. Dave Irish proposed circulating the idea throughout the Class.

Geoff Stagg suggested that perhaps it was time for the Class to elect a US Class President. Discussion followed as to the best method of selecting nominees for the position, and it was decided that the Executive Committee would act as a nomination committee and come up with a list of potentials, which would then be subject to a proxy vote of the entire class.

Eduardo Ramos said that the group should elect one major event per year, for example the Worlds, for Rule changes. Owners should then be polled to include all members of the class in the decision making process. Eduardo asked what the most important event of the year was? Geoff Stagg replied that Farr International has been striving to get World Status with ISAF, and within a month, we should have the authority to run a World Championship. If six nations show up for this Worlds, then the Class retains its status for a Worlds the following year. Europe will be the first to have 6 qualifying nations, therefore, the first Worlds will be held in Europe. Peter Morton with Farr (UK) has sold 25 boats in Europe to date. Someone mentioned that they had shipped a boat over via ferry cheaper than what it would cost to charter. The ferry took 9 days between Southampton and Fort Lauderdale and cost $4000 each way on a roll on/roll off ship. Stephanie Kandler of K-Yachting, the French Mumm 30 dealer was looking into the organizational side of the Worlds, and would also have boats available to charter. Peter Morton said that they were considering a late September date, and possible venues were St. Tropez or Cannes. A poll of the US owners present indicated that five would attend the Worlds in Europe.

Bodo von der Wense argued that for the average American, $15,000-20,000 was very expensive for one regatta. He suggested that the class should get a better deal on shipping to get the cost down. Bodo also mentioned that if an owner shipped their boat to Europe, it would be out of commission for the regional regattas for two months during the fall, which is the prime sailing season for most East Coast areas.

Jack Lefort requested that in order to help defray the costs of going to a World Championship, the Class should waive the Category A advertising Rule. This would apply for a World Championship event only, and the regatta would be Category B. Peter Morton added that the European owners wanted Category B status as well. Geoff Stagg emphasized that it would only be for the Worlds, regardless of where it's at. Jack Lefort made a motion to open the Worlds for corporate and private sponsorship, under Category B. Jim Flanagan seconded the motion, a vote was taken, and the motion was carried. The motion will be distributed to the world Mumm 30 fleet for a vote.

Jim Flanagan asked if there was any information on towing overwidth boats? Barry Carroll said he would send it out.

Sandy Malakis wanted clarification on alternate drivers. Renee said that they had to be an associate member of the Class Association ($75) and declare in writing to Farr International two weeks prior to the event. Ray Leyman asked about emergency exemptions to the rule. A member of his family was very ill just prior to this regatta, and it was very possible that he would have to leave in the middle of the week. It was agreed that emergencies would be evaluated and exceptions made when necessary.

Mike Leland asked if the backstay flicker could be eliminated from the top of the rig. Geoff Stagg replied that it was in the class rules that it had to remain in place. Dave Koski asked a question regarding boats that left the exhaust extension tubing on during racing. "If you hit the tube, are you out?" Dave Irish replied that under the racing rules, anything attached to the boat is legal.

Geoff Stagg mentioned that Farr International had done preliminary research into getting a Web site going for the Mumm 30 Class. A name had already been registered for mummyachts.com, and standard information about the class would be on the site, and possibly a method to cast votes on class issues. Geoff asked if there was any other business. Bodo von der Wense brought up the issue of crew weight, saying that some members of the class felt like they've been steamrollered. Dave Irish stepped in, saying that a mechanism needs to be developed to inform all members of the class of the issues, and to present the pros and cons of that issue so that members can make an educated vote. Geoff Stagg agreed, and said that any proposed rule changes should be put in writing so that it could be circulated to the class. Jim Flanagan had submitted his argument for increasing the weight limit, and it will be sent to all the owners.

Geoff Stagg closed the meeting at approximately 5:45 p.m.