Another strange case for our poor Sherlock Holmes, burdened by unsolvable questions.

The Colonial Cup, a Sanctioned Regatta, regularly included in the USA Snipe Class Calendar, a classic regatta, one of the most important in the United States and perhaps the most important in Boston, is in conflict with our rules.

There is a sort of relapse, because the problem arises this year as it did last year.

“Crews do not need to be SCIRA members”.

This is clearly against Section 14 By Laws.

As the Chair of the Technical Committee explained,

A Sanctioned regatta is a regatta that is listed in each Nation’s calendar. Annually each National Secretary presents the list of regattas to be sanctioned to the SCIRA office. Any regatta qualifying for a subsequent Major Championship must be a sanctioned regatta.

Recognition of a sanctioned regatta means that at least:

1. All competitors are current members of SCIRA (both skipper and crew)
2. The boat is properly registered with SCIRA for the year with a decal displayed on the hull
3. The boat has a current MDS on file
4. A PRO is present

Of course we can say that the entry fees of many regattas, especially in the US, are too high and therefore the crews cannot afford to pay the Class dues.

We can also argue that this is a promotional regatta within the Club (even if they promote the event encouraging the participation of teams from other Fleets or Yacht Clubs).

We can also say that the fees for SCIRA membership are too high.

Or we can argue that SCIRA spends too much money on its administration, instead of on promotion, and that it has not been very transparent so far.

We can fully or partially agree with these statements.

However it is clear that this is not a Club or Fleet Regatta: it is open to other Fleets, it is included in the US National Calendar.

Perhaps what we read in the Notice Board of the Colonial Cup is a mistake? Or is it a political strategy against Canada, Greenland and the old, small and divided European countries?

What will the SCIRA US National Secretary, the expert Annapolis Fleet member and the new member of the Technical Committee say?

Will Sherlock Holmes find the culprit? The other National Secretaries, the other Fleets and the sailors who follow the membership rules are eagerly awaiting the resolution of this case.