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The purpose of the trials is to determine which sailors will represent Ireland at the World Championships in Dominican Replublic, the European Championships in Italy and at the French Open Championships in Loctudy later in the year. All Under 12 sailors participating in the Trials will be invited to join the IODAI Under 12 Squad who will travel to the UK Nationals in Pwllheli.

While many of you will have ambitions to get on a team, we must all remember that not everyone can make a team. You may have some bad luck or the conditions may not suit you. For many of you there will be next year and for everyone there is the rest of your sailing career to set and achieve personal goals. The fact that you have reached the “invitation” stage of the trials is in itself a goal. It is not so important whether you end up as a Team member or not. What is important is that you enjoy this event as a “good fun” sailing regatta, like any other. Do your best in every race and be happy that you gave it your best shot.

The trials may well be your most competitive event to date when only the best sailors will be taking part. YOU are one of them. That doesn’t mean it’s all serious and no enjoyment. Good racing is enjoyment and you will still meet all your friends ashore and have time to relax and have good fun!!!!

You will now have to enter via SailRacer and the following documentation is available through the entry system:

· The 2012 Trials Notice of Race

· The IODAI Trials Measurement form

· The IODAI Safety Check List

· Codes of Conduct for both sailors and parents

· Information sheets on European, International Development Team and Under 12 events.

Please read all the documents carefully and get an adult to help you fill in the required forms.

1. Trials Format

In 2008 your IODAI committee carried out a detailed review of the format and purpose of the trials and, as a result, the format was substantially changed in 2009. The primary focus is to provide quality racing to ensure that the best sailors qualify to represent their country. Accordingly, the number of races was reduced but provision for a reserve weekend was made should circumstances require. Full details are in the Notice of Race. .

2. Dates & Times

Trials Weekend 1	National Yacht Club	Friday 13^thApril to Sunday 15^th April inclusive
Trials Weekend 2	Waterford Harbour Sailing Club	Saturday 5^th May to Monday 7th May inclusive
Reserve Weekend	Either NYC or WHSC (see Notice of Race)	12^th & 13^th May

3. Entry

Entries will only be accepted through the SailRacer online entry system. Payment must be made by Credit Card. The Closing date for Entries is 1st April 2012. Under no circumstances will entries be accepted after that date.

4. Registration

Registration will take place in National Yacht Club from 1500hrs until 2100 hrs on Thursday 12^th April.

5. Sailing Instructions The Major Event Sailing Instructions will be used for this event and will be posted on the IODAI website www.iodai.com in advance of the Trials. Supplementary Sailing Instructions will be available at Registration in NYC and at WHSC.

6. Measurement

There will be no Measurement at the trials. You are required to have your spars, foils and sails measured by a qualified measurer in advance of the trials. You are reminded that all measurers are volunteers, and that provision of adequate notice to them to measure your equipment is essential. You are required to complete the IODAI Trials Measurement Form clearly and present it, together with the official Registration and Measurement Book, at registration in KYC.

Measurement Validation will take place prior to the first trial - Thursday 12^th April from 15.00hrs until 21.00hrs. Measurement validation will not take place after Thursday 12^th April.

Measurement Validation will consist of the following steps:-

a. Your boat will be weighed.

b. Your Measurement Book will be presented and the serial numbers of the spars, foils, sail and hull will be checked against the Measurement Form you submitted.

c. Your sail will be stamped/marked for the 2012 Trials (note that the same sail must be used for the entire series)

d. Spot checks will be performed on equipment on a random basis prior to, and during the trials.

It is very important that you examine your measurement book carefully, especially if you have just bought a new or second-hand boat. If your boat is new, theboathas been measured and certified by the manufacturer, and this should be stamped in the measurement book – therefore, no further measurement of the hull is required. If you do not have a sail number, you must submit your measurement book to the ISA who will then issue you with an IRL number. Your new foils (rudder and dagger board), spars (mast, boom and sprit), and sail will not have been measured. So you have to have these measured by one of the qualified measurers listed on www.iodai.com

If you have lost your measurement book, everything will have to be re-measured and a new Measurement Book produced. Photocopies of originals are not acceptable.

7. Selection of Teams On the basis of the results of the Trials, the following teams will be determined:-

The Irish World Team
The Irish European Team
The Irish International Development Team
The Irish Under 12 Team
The invites for the Volvo Ocean Race Team racing event in Galway

The rules and regulations relating to selection for a Team, a selected sailors acceptance of a place on a Team, participation in Squad training sessions and the conduct expected of Team members are included as part of the Notice of Race and participants must indicate their agreement to abide by these as a condition of entry. All Under 12 sailors competing in the trials process will be invited to form the Under 12 Squad which will attend the UK Nationals.

Finally I wish you the very best in the Team Trials ahead. It is important that you and your parents are familiar with the rules and regulations that pertain to your acceptance of this invitation to the 2012 Optimist Team Trials and I hope that you have reviewed the details above and attached in detail for your benefit.

Yours sincerely,

Michael McCann

President IODAI