Version 15 of the WASZP Class Rules will come into effect on 1 March 2025.
Version 15, as well as the current version of the rules and the updated pumping and measurement guidance, can be found at https://racehub.waszp.com/rules.
Following the World Sailing application, the WASZP International Class undertook a full review of the class rules and class documents. This review required some restructuring of the rules document so, unlike previous revisions, version 15 of the rules does not have the major changes highlighted in grey.
Sailors are encouraged to revisit the rules to note any changes.
The key additions and changes are as follows:
- Quick Guide to Common Questions includes prohibited actions that are commonly discussed. The rules are closed class rules, where anything not specifically permitted by the class rules is prohibited. This section includes examples of illegal modifications that, by nature of the rules, are not stated. We have included them here to reiterate the importance of these points. This list is not exhaustive.
- The international class association, formerly IWCA, is now referred to as the WASZP International Class Association (WICA).
- The sail number section has been revised and simplified. Digital 8 numbers are now prohibited (which was highlighted to come into effect in the previous version of the rules) and will be specifically enforced at the 2025 WASZP Games.
- The protocol for event measurement is outlined to ensure equipment inspectors can apply common sense judgements as well as giving sailors an understanding of what to expect.
- The pumping rule has been opened slightly to make judging easier and more consistent. Now, providing the sailor’s points of contact with the boat are inside the wingframe, the body can extend beyond the wingframe whilst body pumping. This eliminates the grey area when judging if a seated sailor is extending their upper body outside of the wingframe whilst body pumping.
- The 7.5m sail has been introduced.
- The Age Divisions have been amended:
- U18 has been changed to U19 to align with World Sailing ages.
- The Master category now begins at 30 to recognise the significant difference in life circumstance for most people when they are in their 30s relative to their 20s. The Master category now has a larger group for better competition among those sailors with careers, mortgages, families and creaky knees. Super Master remains the same. Overall, the divisions across the fleet are much more balanced with these new parameters.
- Helmets remain mandatory for all sailors as the default position. However, the age limit in C.5.3 is changed to 19 to align with the new age division.
- Section D includes terms in bold that now reference the Equipment Rules of Sailing.
- The Mark2 rudder has been introduced. A particular rule to consider is around packing. The Mark2 rudder is supplied with rudder box inserts. Sailors must use ‘supplied’ rudder box packing, which includes either the new inserts or the original webbing only. The new inserts are strongly recommended for use with the new rudder.
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