Entry Form

Malawi Yachting Marathon

2011

Information Sheet

Introduction

The Malawi Yachting Marathon (MYM) has taken place since 1984.  The idea was born by a group of local sailors, in the form of a casual sail northward up the Lake, with deck chairs lashed to the hulls.  They soon discovered that a trip of this nature should not be taken lightly and the deck chairs were removed.

The MYM is more than just a race up the Lake, it is a challenge, an adventure, an opportunity to experience the country of Malawi from a perspective witnessed by few, and a chance to enjoy the camaraderie shared on this sailing safari. The numerous sailors who return annually to the shores of Lake Malawi to take part confirm its attraction. 

The Marathon has been declared a National Tourism Event, and has traditionally been operated as a benefit event, raising funds for Lakeshore communities and wildlife projects.

To this end we call on the support of local and international sponsors, as well as the Ministry of Tourism and the Sports Council without whose contributions this event could not take place.

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa, dominates the land known as “the warm heart of Africa”.  Fully 600 km long and 90 km wide, this lake covers one fifth of Malawi’s surface area.   It is the southern most of the Lakes formed by the Great Rift Valley and has some of the deepest waters of any lake at over 700m – the lake bottom is estimated to be some 300m below sea level.

Not surprisingly, such a mass of fresh, warm water offers much to the water sports enthusiast.  The Marathon falls in the season of the Mwera, a strong south-easterly wind, which can blow up without any warning and provide very exciting sailing for even the most skilled and experienced sailor.

The lake is home to an estimated 1000 species of fish, more than the total species found in the fresh waters of North America and Europe combined.  This provides not only excellent diving in the clear waters but also a major source of protein available to Malawi’s population. To the visitor, it is an unspoilt Eden, with sandy beaches, spectacular scenery, water sports, equable climate and a relaxed friendly atmosphere.   For those taking up the challenge of the Marathon, there will be a yearning to return and see much more.

Fees

Entry fee                                                         per person        US$ 400

Boat entry fee                                                  per boat           US$ 100

Temp. Yacht Club Membership                          per person        US$   10

Transport from/to Lilongwe airport                  per person        US$  30 (each way)

The entry fee includes breakfast and dinner, transport between stop-overs and camping fees at each stop-over.  Limited accommodation is available as laid out below under accommodation at your own cost.  The entry fee is payable by all persons taking part in the event, whether sailors or ground support. Please contact Susie Davies (Registration/Entries) in case you would like to pay entry fees in an other currency (Malawi Kwachas, ZAR and Euro are accepted).

Itinerary

Friday July 1                Registration at Palm Beach resort (Mangochi)

Saturday July 2           Capsize Drills, boat and equipment inspections 12.00 – 3.30pm

                        Skippers Briefing - 4.30pm

                        Opening Ceremony – 6.30pm

Sunday July 3              Leg 1.  Mangochi - Cape Maclear

Monday July 4             Leg 2. Cape Maclear to Senga Bay (Salima)

Tuesday July 5             Leg 3. Senga Bay (Salima) – Nkhotakota

Wednesday July 6        Leg 4. Nkhotakota – Dwangwa

Thursday  July 7          Leg 5. Dwangwa - Likoma

Friday  July 8              Leg 6. Likoma – Chinteche

Closing Ceremony 6.30pm

Sunday July 10 Departure of bus to Lilongwe airport for return flight

Catering

The entry fee includes the provision of dinner and breakfast every day, commencing with dinner after the opening ceremony on Saturday 2^nd July, until breakfast on Saturday 9^th July.

Soup and rolls are provided on the beach when the boats land at the finish each day. Please note that snack/lunch packs will not be provided. You may wish to bring snacks along especially for the longer legs where in light airs you may be on the water most of the day. We will provide each boat with a ration of drinking water; additional drinking water can be purchased in all stop-overs.

Please allow sailors and rescue to eat first at breakfast.  Ground support can have their breakfast once the days sailing has started.  Any other food and drinks are for your own account.  Please ensure that you settle your personal bills before leaving each resort.

Full bar facilities are available at every resort. 

Advertising

In terms of RRS G5, the regatta will be classified as a Category “C” event.  The provisions of Appendix G2 will only apply while racing.

When a piece of equipment or a part of the yacht is not mentioned, there are no restrictions.

Advertising of a company or a product which, at the sole discretion of the Organising Committee, is in direct or indirect competition with a sponsoring company or any sponsor’s product marketed by them, shall not be permitted.

Notwithstanding any other rule, the Race Committee reserves the right to require the removal from display of any advertising, which, in its opinion, is not in good taste.

No marks, logos or names shall extend into the forward 25% of the hull, not including the deck, which shall be available for event sponsors’ advertising.

Advertising is permitted on all sails without restriction, except that RRS H and RRS G2.5 shall be complied with.

House flags, Banners and Sail Covers which show advertising shall not be worn when racing.

Accommodation

The entry fee includes all camping fees along the route. Participants must be prepared to camp and bring the necessary equipment. At some resorts rooms are available at an additional cost.  Please book rooms through Susie, who can also inform you about the rates. Payments must be made directly to the lodge or hotel.

Please note that on some places there are many ants and we suggest to bring ‘ant powder’. Ensure that all personal bills at the resort are paid.  Any unpaid bills that have to be settled on your behalf will be liable to 25% administrative fee and the full amount must be paid in full before the start of the next leg. 

Transport

On Friday 1 July, a bus will be at Lilongwe Airport to meet sailors and crew travelling from Johannesburg and Nairobi to Mangochi.

The bus will be available for the duration of the marathon to transport ground supporters and competitors’ kit and equipment to each stop over. The bus will then depart Chinteche at 8.00am on Sunday 10th July for Lilongwe. The bus will drop sailors and crew at Lilongwe Airport to connect with international flights.

At the time of writing it was not sure if sponsorship was available to organise a container from South Africa for the transport of boats. Please contact the SA liaison officer for the latest details.

Insurance

A rescue team equipped with inflatable boats and radios will be on hand throughout the marathon.   However, all entrants including ground crew are advised to make their own personal insurance arrangement covering injury/medivac/loss of life, as well as boat and equipment cover in respect of loss or damage.

Health

Malawi is a malarial area.  It is advisable to take prophylactics and use insect repellent in the evenings.

The lake is fresh water but it is not advisable to drink the water close to the shore.  Many sailors drink the water further out.  Bottled water is available at all resorts.

Bring a good quantity of sunscreen with a high protection factor.

Bring your own first aid kit. An additional medical kit, as well people trained First Aid will be on hand.

Children

Children are most welcome but a responsible adult who is not sailing must accompany them. Unfortunately we have to charge children at full rate.

Climate

July is the middle of the windy dry season but the days are generally warm and sunny and rain is unusual.  Temperatures rarely go below 18^o C, and water temperatures are around 20 ^o C.  

Safety

Sailors are advised that they must carry the items listed below.  All equipment will be checked at the boat check and may be re-checked at any time during the race.

Each crewmember shall have on his/her person at all times on the water:

a)   adequate personal buoyancy (life jacket)

b)  a set of pencil flares (can be purchased from the MYM committee)

c)   a smoke flare (can be borrowed from the MYM committee).

d)  a knife

e)   a whistle

Each yacht shall carry:

a)   a floating tow rope (minimum 15 metres)

b)  a Paddle

c)   a Torch (Waterproof)

d)  a G.P.S.

e)   a cellphone with a Malawian sim card

Each yacht must be in good condition. The committee may disqualify boast that they consider to be not seaworthy. It is advisable to carry an emergency pack containing high energy bars, matches, money, space blanket, etc. 

Capsize Drill

All teams will have to prove their efficiency in righting their boat from a “Turtle” capsize, with the exception of crew of trimarans. This is to ensure that all competitors are capable of righting their boats and that the masts are watertight.

The competition

There will be two distinct competitions within the 2011 Marathon – one for classes that carry spinnakers, and one for classes that do not. Within each competition boats will be rated according to a handicap system prescribed by the committee. There will be a daily winner for each competition, and two competition winners at the end of the event, based on shortest elapsed time corrected by handicap.

If there are more than two boats in any class, sailors will also compete in a class competition. There will be one winner per class at the end of the Marathon, based on the shortest elapsed time.

Examples of boats that have previously entered the marathon are:

Spinnaker Competition: Hobie Tiger, Nacra Inter 20, Hobie Fox, Tornado, Multi 23, Hobie 18 Formula, Hobie 16 Spinnaker, Dart Hawk

Non-spinnaker Competition: Hobie 16, Dart 18, Hobie 18

Boats will be entered into one competition at the start of the Marathon, and may not switch competitions after the start, regardless of whether a spinnaker is used or not.

Boats will normally start from, and end on, a beach - but safety will be paramount and may dictate a water start on any day. Special timing arrangements will be made by the Bridge for boats that are not beachable.

More information can be found in the detailed Sailing Instructions.

Daily Routine

6.00am             Breakfast will be served.  Sailors are advised to have their boats fully rigged and ready to go before breakfast.  If your luggage is being transported on the bus please ensure that you put it into the bus before the start of the leg.

6.30am             If any change to the start of the race other than stated on the daily map or delayed start, you will be notified at this time by means of a long sound signal and the hoisting of the blue flag.  The onus is on the sailors to look at the notice board for new instructions.

7.00am             Race starts for non-spinaker classes.  If it is a ‘water start’ it the responsibility of the crew to launch their boat and get to the start line in good time for the start.

7.30am             Race starts for spinnaker classes.

8.00am             The bus departs to next stop over.  It is the responsibility of the ground crew and sailors to ensure that they are in the bus, and/or equipment loaded in the bus, by that time or risk being left behind.

Finish                           Soup will be served on the beach at the finish of each leg. 

6.00pm             Prize Giving for that leg, and Skippers briefing for the following leg at the dining area of each resort.

Water for the following day will be issued to all participants.  Results and any changes to sailing instructions will be posted on the notice board.

6.30pm             Dinner will be served.

Marathon Officials

Below are the Marathon Officials and their responsibilities.  They will be introduced to you at the marathon briefing. If you have any problems, queries, etc. please see the respective person.