Which fleet should i enter? OPEN, JUNIOR or NOVICE

Eligibility for each division shall be as follows:

1. Open: All Minnow sailors (including Juniors) who are not competing as a Novice will compete in the Open division.
2. Junior: Any Minnow sailor under 12 years of age on the day of the first scheduled race of the championships, and who is not competing as a Novice.
3. Novice: The Novice Fleet is to encourage participation and enjoyment of the Australian Championship for inexperienced sailors. It is expected that sailors skilled enough to sail in the Open Fleet will enter in the Open Fleet to maintain the spirit of the Novice Fleet. Final acceptance into the Novice Fleet will be at the discretion of the Organising Authority guided by the advice of the State Presidents. Refer Addendum A – Minnow Novice Fleet Guidelines.

Minnow Novice Fleet Guidelines.

Whether a sailor is to sail in the Novice or Open fleet at a State or National Championships can be a difficult decision for parents. Here are some guidelines for when entering such an event. They are guidelines only as ‘hard and fast rules’ in this situation do not cater for everyone.

• 8 years of age or less on the day of the first racing session race.
• A sailor 9 years or more on the day of the first racing session, competing in their first State/National Championships.
• A sailor with a medical condition that requires on-water treatment or has a recognized learning/cognitive disorder.
• A sailor who has never had a podium finish in an organized Minnow race.
• The goal of the Novice fleet is to encourage participation and enjoyment of the State and National Championships for beginner sailors.
• A sailor who fits the above criteria but is skilled enough to sail the Open course is strongly encouraged to enter the Open fleet to maintain the spirit of the Novice fleet, and for that sailor to challenge themselves and build their own skills.
• Final acceptance into the Novice fleet will be made by the Organising Authority following advice from the President of the Minnow Sailing Association (Victoria) (or their nominated representative).