Agree but surprised they didn’t know the rule at that level of competition and they were already ahead by a fair bit.
From: Andrew Burton via CnC-List <[email protected]> Sent: January 2, 2026 9:35 AM To: Stus-List <[email protected]> Cc: Andrew Burton <[email protected]> Subject: Stus-List Re: Sydney Hobart Race The fact that you think it should be allowed doesn’t change the fact that is was not allowed. Judging by the photos, the boat set the pole on the asym kite so they could sail dead downwind rather than having to sail angles, which would have been slower. They could have poled out the jib—if their rating included the use of a pole. We have similar provisions regarding use of a pole and asymmetric spinnakers in the Newport Bermuda Race. There are a few rules in that race that I don’t agree with. I still abide by them. Andy Andrew Burton 26 Beacon Hill Newport, RI USA 02840 http://sites.google.com/site/andrewburtonyachtservices/ +401 965-5260 On Jan 2, 2026, at 08:47, Rod via CnC-List <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: My understanding was that the boat was rated for both an asymmetrical and symmetrical. If so, then the use of the pole should be allowed on the asymmetrical since they could have easily be flying a symmetrical which is likely bigger and faster. If the boat was only rated with an asymmetrical then I get it since the asymmetrical rating would have been slower than the symmetrical rating. Since a headsail is allowed to be poled out I think the asymmetrical should be allowed to be poled out as well. Rod Stright From: CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Sent: January 2, 2026 1:42 AM To: Stus-List <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Cc: CHARLES SCHEAFFER <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: Stus-List Re: Sydney Hobart Race I read more on the rules and I'm more convinced it was the right call for 2025, but the rule should be changed for 2026. Chuck S On 01/02/2026 12:04 AM EST CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: Your wording was fine. I understand the rule. What I'm missing is the reason for the rule. Why don't they allow a pole to be used on the clew of a spinnaker? I want to try a whisker pole on my assymetric. I watched the boat finish live, and the boat was dialed-in and they were smoking straight toward the finish line in total control. Chuck S On 01/01/2026 5:10 PM EST Don Kern via CnC-List <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: Chuck, Sorry for the wording, what I meant was the "Free Flying" with an Asym spinnaker that is tacked to the bow or a strut on bow's centerline, the clew had to be attached to a sheet and can not be held outboard of the hull by a spin pole. Don Kern Fireball, C&C35 Mk2 Bristol, RI On 1/1/2026 2:51 PM, CHARLES SCHEAFFER wrote: Ok. I understand the rule. It's simpler in the newer rules. But why does a spinnaker have to have one clew free flying? Why do they have this rule? It doesn't apply to Comanche or Law Connect or the other hundred footers that sheet their assyms to a strut. Chuck S On 01/01/2026 1:25 AM EST Don Kern via CnC-List <mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]> wrote: Rule 50.3 Use of Outriggers (a) No sail shall be sheeted over or through an outrigger, except as permitted in rule 50.3(b) or 50.3(c). An outrigger is any fitting or other device so placed that it could exert outward pressure on a sheet or sail at a point from which, with the boat upright, a vertical line would fall outside the hull or deck. For the purpose of this rule, bulwarks, rails and rubbing strakes are not part of the hull or deck and the following are not outriggers: a bowsprit used to secure the tack of a sail, a bumkin used to sheet the boom of a sail, or a boom of a boomed headsail that requires no adjustment when tacking. (b) Any sail may be sheeted to or led above a boom that is regularly used for a sail and is permanently attached to the mast from which the head of the sail is set. (c) A headsail may be sheeted or attached at its clew to a spinnaker pole or whisker pole, provided that a spinnaker is not set. BNC as she was finishing was definitely flying an Asym Spinnaker (Mid > 75% of foot) attached to the bow and a spinnaker pole. It was not an Headsail (Mid <75% foot) and a spinnaker needs to have one clew free flying. Don Kern Fireball, C&C35 Mk2 Bristol, RI On 1/1/2026 12:38 AM, Joel Aronson via CnC-List wrote: The sail is a gennaker so it is not rated as a spinnaker. Joel On Wed, Dec 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: It was one hell of a race. The images are amazing. The first to finish, doublehander, BNC, got penalized for using a whisker pole to prop up the clew of their assymetric. What a beautiful sight to see the boat so well balanced flying dead downwind in total control. It must be for safety reasons, but I don't understand why. Can anyone explain why the sailing rules 55.3 forbid this use of a pole? Thanks, Chuck S November is the time of the year when my Internet bills come in. It's also the time when you can show your appreciation of this list and the C&C Photo Album. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. November is the time of the year when my Internet bills come in. It's also the time when you can show your appreciation of this list and the C&C Photo Album. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. November is the time of the year when my Internet bills come in. It's also the time when you can show your appreciation of this list and the C&C Photo Album. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. November is the time of the year when my Internet bills come in. It's also the time when you can show your appreciation of this list and the C&C Photo Album. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. November is the time of the year when my Internet bills come in. It's also the time when you can show your appreciation of this list and the C&C Photo Album. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated. November is the time of the year when my Internet bills come in. It's also the time when you can show your appreciation of this list and the C&C Photo Album. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated.
November is the time of the year when my Internet bills come in. It's also the time when you can show your appreciation of this list and the C&C Photo Album. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated.
