World Council News continued.  Part 2

Rule changes (continued)

2. Adjusting forestays and or shrouds while sailing
Concern was expressed that some crews have been adjusting their shrouds and forestays before or between races, while on the water.  This involves removing pins or shackles, and has the potential to result in dismasting.  A rule will be propsed to prohibit this practice.  It will not prevent a crew going ashore (or to a dock) between races to makes this change.

3. Revised shroud pull backs
The class rules C.2.2 (k) allow "A simple line and block purchase system with a mechanical advantage of two" for pulling the shrouds back.   The rule also specifies that "Adjustment shall be effected immediately to the rear of the slide."

A change will be proposed to allow fitting an optional additional block, immediately aft of each shroud track.  In boats where the shroud pull back line is led through a hole in the deck or gunwhale, aft of the track, a length of line coming up through this hole could be used to locate the additional block.

This block will not change the purchase, which will still be 2:1.  It will make it easier to pull the shroud back if you are pulling from any angle other than directly aft of the track. 

The requirement in the current rule for adjustment to be "effected immediately to the rear of the slide" would be inconsistent with the objective of this proposed change.  New wording will be proposed that limits the length of the pull back line, so you will have to be close to the slide to use the pull back (no pulling the leeward shroud back from the windward side!) although not necessarily "immediately to the rear" of it.

4. Length of the mainsheet strop
Responding to ongoing complaints and debate, the World Council agreed to propose a change to rule C.2.3 (d).  This rule currently requires the mainsheet strop to be 250 mm +/- 10 mm.  The proposed rule will require a minimum length only, of 240 mm ( the min required by the current rule).  Basically, the idea is that you must have a mainsheet strop, but we don't really care how long it is, as long as it is at least 240 mm. This effectively restores the status quo that existed before the rule was introduced.

Approval of interpretations
Interpretations 31, 32 and 33 were approved.  There was considerable debate about 33, which permits removal of the shroud stoppers, but it was approved.

Technical Development committee
A proposal from Australia for a technical development committee was approved.  The committee will have a chair appointed by the World Council, and members from each region. (Note: this section revised and corrected 2003-08-04).

In accordance with the Tasar class Constitution, and with the approval of the World Council, dues may be levied from each region to pay for developments, experiments, etc.  The idea is that funds can be provided for experiements and trials such as the mylar jib that has been tried in North America (and which was paid for by Todd Blumel). No funds will be levied until there is a need for them.

The Technical Development committee would report to the World Council, and any rule changes required to implement any new idea or change would be submitted to a vote of the membership in the normal way (ISAF approval is also required for changes to the class rules).

World Council members
The elected members of the World Council are:

President	Chris Parkinson, NSW, Australia
Vice President	George Motoyoshi, Japan
Chief Measurer	Dave Bretherton, NSW, Australia
Executive Secretary	Richard Spencer, North America

The ex-officio members are the Presidents of the Tasar regions:
Allan Johnson, North America)
Constantijn Udo, Europe
Chris Parkinson, Australia
George Motoyoshi, Japan

There was an enthusiastic vote of thanks to outgoing President, Cathy Sherwood, and Chief Measurer, Todd Blumel.

Return to part 1

Revised 2003-08-04

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