Which fleet should I enter?
Minnow National and State Championships include the following divisions:
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Open
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Open - Junior
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Novice
Eligibility for each division shall be as follows:
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Open: All Minnow sailors (including Juniors) who are not competing as a Novice will compete in the Open division.
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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.
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Novice: The Novice Fleet is to encourage participation and enjoyment of the State or Australian Championship and is 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. Guidelines are outlined below to assist you in determining which fleet is appropriate for the sailor:
- Eight years of age or less on the day of the first racing session race.
- A sailor nine 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 recognised learning/cognitive disorder.
- A sailor who has never had a podium finish in an organised 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).
