A guide for entrants - Complete Version

• At least 50% of the crew (but not less than 2) including the Person in Charge, must have completed a minimum of 300 miles of offshore racing together, within 12 months of the start of the race on the boat that is entered
• Training to Section 6 of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations must have been completed by at least 30% of the crew (but not less than 2) including the Person in Charge
• At least one of the crew must have completed appropriate First Aid Training or be a Medical Professional

The RORC stipulates a minimum experience requirement of 300 miles of RORC offshore racing, completed by 50% of the crew (but not less than 2) including the Person in Charge within 12 months of the start. An offshore race is considered to be of more than 75 miles and at least one night at sea.

To fulfil this requirement the Competitor shall enter and complete an appropriate number of RORC races before the start of the race.

When it is not reasonably possible to access RORC races, or in exceptional circumstances, an alternative method for qualification may be agreed by the RORC. A Service Yacht may qualify similarly or submit written authority from her service establishment. Proposals should be lodged with the RORC as soon as possible after entry.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• I retired from a race - can I count the mileage towards my experience qualification?

30% of the crew (but not less than 2), including the Person the Charge, must have completed a training course in accordance with Section 6 of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations. The training course must have taken place after 1st January 2008.

For example: For a crew of 9, the Person in Charge and at least 2 additional crew members must have completed training. The emphasis is on "minimum" - our recommendation is that as many crew members as possible should complete this training. For boats competing Two-Handed, both crew have to be qualified.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What certificate/s do I need as evidence of having completed training to Section 6 of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations?

At least one member of the crew must hold a valid First Aid Certificate or equivalent, completed within the last five years. In the UK the RYA First Aid Certificate meets the requirement.

It is adviseable to have at least one other crew trained and familiar with First Aid Procedures, hypothermia and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

Medical professionals (i.e. doctors, paramedics, surgeons, Service medics, etc.) need not complete further training to meet the Senior First Aid requirement. However, they should refresh their knowledge on specific sicknesses and treatments, e.g. for hypothermia and make sure they are comfortable with special offshore medical conditions and actions, including topics like Tele medical communications on board. See Appendix N of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations for details.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What certificate/s do I need as evidence of having completed First Aid Training?
• I am a Surgeon/Nurse/Medic.... - What evidence do I need to provide about my Training?

If you are considering competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race Two-Handed you will have to satisfy the Committee that you have suitable and adequate experience and that the boat is properly organised for Two-Handed sailing. Naturally, all other Experience/Qualification requirements set out in the Notice of Race apply in addition to this. Two-Handed competitors who regularly race with us meet this requirement and need not apply again.

You can apply to race in the Two-Handed Class by Email to racing@rorc.org.uk (Please put your sail Number and Boat name in the subject field).

Like the crew, the boat needs to be capable of taking on the conditions likely to be seen during the Rolex Fastnet Race. We invoke the Category 2 requirements of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations (including RORC Prescriptions) to decide on the suitability of a boat's stability, equipment and construction standards. The RORC then has a few additional stipulations regarding the speed and minimum/maximum length of eligible boats.

	Monohull	Multihull
Speed	must have an IRC Rating of 0.850 or greater For non-IRC rated boats alternative criteria may be used, eg. IMOCA 60, Class40 Visit www.ircrating.org for more information on IRC Rating	must have a MOCRA Rating of 1.100 or greater For non-MOCRA rated boats alternative criteria may be used Visit www.mocra-sailing.co.uk/ for more information on MOCRA Rating
Length	Minimum length: determined by minimum speed rating - see above Maximum length: 30.5m (100ft) LH (LOA)	Minimum length is 9.15m (30ft) LH (LOA) Maximum length: 21.5m (70ft) LH (LOA)
	The Committee may make an exception to the minimum or maximum lengths on application
Hull Construction	Please see the full requirements in "Hull Construction Certificate" below
Stability	STIX minimum 32 AVS minimum 130-0.002*m (m is the boat's minimum sailing weight) SSS minimum 28 (if STIX/AVS not present and not required) Boats in accepted One-Design classes (holding valid Rating/Class certificates) do not require STIX or SSS
Boat Equipment	In accordance with Category 2 of the ISAF Special Regulations including RORC Prescriptions

To ensure that your boat was designed and constructed to withstand the rigours of offshore racing, the boat has to meet certain design and constructions standards.

To determine whether a hull construction certificate needs to be lodged with us, please find out the earliest of the age and series date for your boat*. These values are present on most rating certificates (e.g. IRC) or in your boat's manual.

* Age date specifies the date the build of the boat was completed. The series date is the date of completion of the first boat in the series. Typically the series date is earlier than the age date. The requirements for Hull Construction are based on the earlier of these two dates. If your boat was built in 2003 but the series had been completed in 1984 you can enter the decision tree below with the value 1984.

Has your boat or the series been built:

Frequently asked Questions

• Does the RORC already hold hull construction data for my boat?
• Where can I obtain a Hull Construction certificate?