Sanctioned Regattas

The Viper Class Association Executive Committee shall have the power to sanction any Viper Regatta, Championship Series or Race which is open to members of more than one fleet and when the series or race is a perpetual, semi-perpetual or open trophy. The Executive Committee may withdraw any sanction for cause.

If an event has been granted sanction for three consecutive years with a minimum of 15 boats participating in each year, there shall be no need to reapply. When an event has lapsed for two or more years, sanction must be reapplied for.

At all sanctioned Regattas or series, the Low Point Scoring System shall apply.   The minimum number of races to be scored before a throw-out is awarded shall be five.

The Class Association Executive Committee may impose maximum and minimum weight limits or a maximum weight limit for a sanctioned regatta. If a maximum weight limit is imposed, the maximum shall be 245 kilos. The weight limit shall be announced on the class website at least eight weeks prior to the regatta or announced in the NOR. Unless the Class Association Executive requires a weight limit, it is assumed that there is no weight limit.

The Viper Class is a Category C (Advertising) Class under ISAF regulation 20.

A boat participating in a Class sanctioned regatta must either be owned by a Class Association member or the skipper on board throughout the regatta must be a Class Association member

North American Championships

The North American Championship regatta is a sanctioned regatta and shall last a minimum of three days and shall comprise a minimum of three races.

The venue for the regatta shall be determined in the following manner:

1. Any Viper Fleet or Yacht Club (or class member representing a fleet, yacht club or event) may submit a proposal to host the North American Championship Event.
2. This proposal may be submitted to the Class Association Executive Committee by email or in writing or may be submitted during the Class AGM or prior to the end of the Awards ceremony during a prior North American Championships
3. The Class Executive may gain some indication of support for a proposal by asking for a show of hands during the Class AGM or North American Championships. However the class officers will then consider all proposals and will determine the best venue for the North American Championship.
4. The Class Executive may take into account any factors including:
   • Quality of location for good fun sailing and fair competition
   • Access for a large number of Viper sailors.
   • The location’s potential to attract high participation.
   • The level of participation by the host fleet in previous North American Championships and sanctioned regattas
   • The benefit to the class in allowing the NACs to take place in different locations from year to year.
5. The Class Association shall announce the location of the North American Championships a minimum of 6 months prior to the event