2024 Handicap Division

Rules & Regulations

The Handicap Division is charged with establishing the necessary rules and regulations for the Sanction of Classes, Eligibility of boats and owners for High Point Awards, selection of Award Winners, Coordination of Sanctioned Schedules, and the decisions necessary for all matters not specifically reserved by the CBYRA.

Administration

The Handicap Division functions as a part of the CBYRA and is represented on the CBYRA Executive Committee by the Division Chairman. The Division shall be composed of those Classes of boats which conform to established methods of rating so as to permit equitable competition on corrected times among boats of the Class.

When a single Class or Fleet determines that further subdivision into smaller Sections is necessary to enhance the conduct of competition, such Sections shall be considered by Race Committees and the High Point Recorder as separate entities for the conduct of racing or the recording of Sanctioned Events. When the Race Committee deems it advisable, the Sections may be started simultaneously, and each boat’s finishing position shall be scored in accordance with the number of boats in the combined start.

Each Class or Fleet, regardless of the number of subsections established, shall be entitled to only single representation on the Handicap Division Committee.

In 2024, the CBYRA recognized Handicap Division Classes and Fleets are:

• Chesapeake Multihull Association (CMA)
• Chesapeake Shorthanded Sailing Society (CHESSS)
• The Chesapeake Racer Cruiser Association (CRCA)
• ORC of the Chesapeake
• Performance Handicap Racing Fleet of the Chesapeake (PHRF)

Committee Responsibilities

The Handicap Division Committee administers the affairs of the Division and is composed of one duly appointed representative from each of the Sanctioned Classes.

Selection of Division Chair

A person that is a member of a Division Class and who has been appointed by the Division Class with the largest membership shall Chair the Committee (largest membership defined by the highest number of full members in that Class). At one week prior to the previous year’s CBYRA Annual Meeting, should the Division Class with the largest membership, for whatever reason, forego its opportunity to select the Chairman of the Handicap Division, the Class with the next largest membership shall make the selection. This process shall continue by Class in order of membership until a Chair is selected.

Right of Classes to Address CBYRA Executive Committee

The Division recognizes that there may be occasions when an issue arises specific to one of the classes not directly represented by the Handicap Division Chair. In those circumstances, the official representative of that class has the right to appear before the Executive Committee to present the issue or provide the Committee with information on which to base a decision.

Other Committee Duties and Responsibilities

1. The Chair shall serve on the CBYRA Executive Committee as the Division Representative.
2. When not appointed by a Class, the Chair will appoint Recorders to serve on the CBYRA High Point Committee to accomplish keeping records necessary to determine the High Point Award winners within the Division.
3. A majority vote within the Committee (each Class having a single vote) shall establish guidance for the Chair in their duties as the Division Representative.
4. Review classes or fleets wishing to join the Division.

Meetings

The Handicap Division Committee will meet at least twice annually for the coordination of schedules, the review of High Point Records, status of Classes within the Division, election of Committee Chairman, and such other business as necessary to properly conduct the affairs of the Division.

1. These meetings will coincide with scheduling and class sanctioning activities and so normally be scheduled for early winter (January / February) and autumn (September / October) of each calendar year.
2. A quorum will be constituted by the presence, in person or by proxy, of one half the number of Class Representatives.
3. Except for matters relating to membership status (see below), a simple majority shall decide matters of business, with the Chair voting as necessary to break tie votes.