Mumm 30 Owner's Meeting

May 24, 1997

Marblehead, MA

Present:

The meeting was opened at 5:30 p.m. by Renee Mehl, who explained that the Mumm 30 Class had just been granted Recognized Class status by the ISAF. This would enable the class to hold an official World Championship in 1997. Plans were already underway to hold the event in Marseille, France on October 14-19, with two days prior for measurement and weighing of the boats and crew. The Notice of Race will be mailed out to all members of the Class. It also prohibits the Class from making additional rule changes 11 the November ISAF meeting. Rule changes must be submitted to the ISAF Rules Committee which meets in August, then the proposed changes go through the board in November.

A poll was taken of owners present to find out who was interested in attending the Worlds. Mark Ploch and Ed Collins both indicated interest, and said that Jack Lefort was also planning on going. J.B. Braun and Bob Shear said that they might go. J.B. was interested in knowing if there would be boats available for charter at the Worlds. Barry Carroll indicated that there would be, through our French dealer K-Yachting, at a rate of approximately US $ 10,000 without sails and $11,000 with sails.

Conversation turned to the eligibility rule, and the recent change in the Class Rule. It was explained that the new Racing Rules of Sailing went into effect on April 1, 1997 around the world. Part of the new rule included new US Sailing Prescriptions, and the replacement of Appendix AIA on competitor eligibility with are-written Appendix R on eligibility. The first draft of the Appendix included examples of the three Groups of competitors, but was removed by US Sailing in order to develop a set of examples comprised of actual rulings. Barry Carroll added that the management group conferred and came to a decision to adopt the new Appendix R in place of Appendix AIA for the Mumm 30 Class Rule, since US Sailing is the only unbiased organization that is equipped to make eligibility rulings on a worldwide basis for the class. In addition, most of the rulings that came back from US Sailing since April I were indicating that a majority of previously self categorized Group 2 sailing industry people were coming back with a Group 3 US Sailing designation. This was discussed again amongst the Management Group, with the thought of changing the Class Rule to allow a maximum of two Group 3 competitors, and one Group 2, to conform to what was actually happening in the class. (The rule allowed for one Group 3 and two Group 2s previously) The management group, which consists of Bruce Farr & Associates, Carroll Marine, Champagne Mumm, Farr International and the RORC Rating Office, changed the rule immediately prior to ISAF acceptance of the Class. There was not sufficient time to poll all owners worldwide, so Geoff and Renee called a random sampling of approximately one-third of the US owners in a telephone poll. An 80% majority were in favor of changing the rule to allow two Group 3s and one Group 2.

Bob Shear asked how Appendix R and US Sailing works for the rest of the world. Barry said that Appendix R must be used for the World Championship determination. Dave Irish added that it would be difficult to do, but they would try and use the European National Authorities to get additional information on the European sailors. Fred Sherratt stated that he and his crew members were all members of the Canadian Yachting Association, but they couldn't get rulings from that agency. Scott Collinson wanted to know what to do about crew who were only going to sail one event? Dave Irish replied that if a crew joins US Sailing for $35,the ruling is then $25.00, for a total of $60 instead of $75 for a non-member. Barry reiterated that the Class Rule states that US Sailing must make the determination. Mark Ploch said that it is hard for every crew to get charged so much, and that having to pay US Sailing to get a ruling is "persecution". Barry replied that if you want to have any limits on professionals, you have to have some way of enforcing it. Collinson thought it was a good idea, just expensive. Barry said that eventually enough sailors would have to get them for other events and will have their rating.

J.B. asked why the class decided to add another Group 3. Dave Irish replied that most people in the industry were 3s. He said that the distinction between a 2 and 3 is very difficult to decide, and there were a lot more 3s than they originally thought there would be. He was opposed to the idea of adding another Group 3 when he first heard about it, but after seeing and being a part of the rating process, and how many people were coming back as 3s, he thought it was a good idea. Barry said that the group, as owners, didn't like changes after they bought the boat, but they would still be able to sail with the same crew as before. Marty Slagowitz suggested making Group 1 rulings cheaper, and more expensive for the rich sailmakers who are 2s and 3s.

Dave Irish stated that he and everyone working on the class management were dedicated to making the class eligibility rule work, and that it was worth the effort.

The floor was opened for any other business, and Barbara Slagowitz asked the owners that participate in the regional Long Island Sound/East Coast regattas to please call or fax to indicate whether they were attending so that when race organizers call, she has some idea of how many boats to expect. Mark Ploch mentioned that the Nantucket Gold regatta was in Newport in two weeks, and Barry added that is was a charity event for a Rhode Island foundation for kids, and this year there would be a launch of the Special Olympics at Fort Adams. A quick count of owners for the next US Circuit event showed that 8 boats present would attend.

Janet Doyle thanked everyone for coming to Marblehead to the event, and mentioned that Marblehead Trading Company would begin hauling boats straight after racing on Sunday. Robbie said that there would be no Faces started after 1:00 p.m., the boats would haul out after racing, then come to the barbecue at approximately 4:00.

Marshall Gladchun asked which yacht club was running the worlds, because his son Jeff had sailed there for a collegiate event. He suggested that the regatta should have English as the official language.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.