PCCSC Documents

Standing Rules

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STANDING RULES & POLICIES

Updated October 1, 2025

For the

PACIFIC COAST COLLEGIATE SAILING CONFERENCE

 

1.    Membership:

  1. Membership in the PCCSC shall be as detailed in the PCCSC By-Laws.

2.    Dues:

  1. The PCCSC Graduate Treasurer will bill each member college according to the schedule outlined in Appendix B: PCCSC Billing Policy.

3.    Fiscal Year:

  1. The fiscal year of the PCCSC shall begin January 1st and end December 31st.

4.    Entry Fees:

  1. Individual hosting colleges may charge fees for regattas to defray special administrative expenses incurred, such as meals, lodging, transportation, trophies, gifts, special equipment and regatta specific operation costs. Any fees, entry or otherwise, and the benefits of the fees must be included in the Notice of Race. Entry fees shall not exceed $50/team without the permission of the PCCSC Executive Committee.

  2. Spring Championships shall have the following entry fees, payable to PCCSC (outlined in Appendix B: PCCSC Billing Policy)

    1. Open Conference Championship: $150

    2. Women’s Conference Championship: $150

    3. Open Team Race Conference Championship: $250

    4. Women's Team Race Conference Championship: $250

  3. The host school will not pay the entry fee and $50 of each entry will go back to the host school for hosting expenses. 

5.    Charter Fees:

  1. All charter fees (for boat use) must be paid to the chartering school or the borrowing school may not be scored in the regatta. Charter fees shall not exceed the following scale without the permission of the PCCSC Executive Committee:

    1. Keelboats over 20' LOA: $80.00 per day; sails included.

    2. Dinghies under 20' LOA: $80.00 per day; sails and/or delivery not included.

6.    Collection of Debts

  1. PCCSC member organizations, having demonstrated difficulty in collecting outstanding debts from other member organizations, may petition the Conference Commissioner for immediate payment from PCCSC funds. The Executive Committee shall then hold hearings to determine judgment and take disciplinary action as necessary.

7.    Representation on the Executive Committee:

  1. The members of the Executive Committee shall be announced and will take office at the Annual Meeting of the PCCSC as detailed in the PCCSC By-Laws.

8.    Proxies:

  1. A valid proxy shall be held only by a person not regularly a member of the PCCSC Executive Committee. Graduate positions must be filled by Graduate proxies and Undergraduate positions by undergraduate proxies. Proxies shall be submitted in writing to the secretary not later than the call to order of any meeting.

  2. No proxy votes are allowed for other committee meetings.

9.    Delegates:

  1. Each member school of the PCCSC is allowed one voting delegate to Annual or special meetings of the Conference. The delegate must be a full-time undergraduate of the college represented. Each delegate must register with the Conference Commissioner prior to the commencement of the meeting. Delegates who are late in arriving may register immediately after the action, which is on the floor, is completed.

10. Official PCCSC Business Meetings:

  1. PCCSC Annual Meeting

    1. The PCCSC Annual Meeting is to be held in January or February at a date, time and location to be announced and information to be available by the PCCSC Fall Dinghy Championship Regatta.

    2. The PCCSC Annual Meeting may be held in person or via a remote platform.

  2. PCCSC Executive Committee Meetings

    1. A fall meeting is to be held in conjunction with the PCCSC Fall Dinghy Championship, with a time to be announced.

    2. A winter meeting is to be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting, with a time to be announced.

    3. A spring meeting is to be held in conjunction with the Pacific Coast Dinghy Championships, with a time to be announced.

    4. Monthly meetings may be scheduled during the competition year to discuss any pertinent or time sensitive business.

    5. PCCSC Executive Committee Meeting may be held in person or via a remote platform.

  3. PCCSC Scheduling Meetings

    1. The PCCSC Racing Schedule shall be prepared 1 year out and be presented at the time of the PCCSC Fall Coed Pacific Coast Championships.

11.    Conduct of Participants

  1. Each Conference member school and student-athletes must remember always, even during the emotion of competition, that they are a representative of the PCCSC, their academic institution, its administration and student body. Accordingly, schools and individuals will be expected to conduct themselves in a manner which will reflect credit on the institution and the Conference and create a collegiate and sportsmanlike atmosphere in which to conduct competition.

  2. Relationships with Outside Organizations, School Administration and other Individuals

    1. The PCCSC is dependent upon the individual college teams and local yachting organizations to assist in conducting competitive and social events by providing facilities, equipment and personnel. It is imperative that the relationships with these organizations are maintained at the highest level to protect the future of intercollegiate competition. For this reason, the Conference Commissioner shall be responsible for the regulation of schools or individuals whose actions are detrimental to our relationship with other teams, universities, yacht clubs and individuals.

  3. Misconduct

    1. Any PCCSC Participant, coach, regatta official or administrator may notify the Conference Commissioner of conduct perceived as detrimental to the conference or the good standing of a team.

    2. Procedure and Penalties

      1. The Conference Commissioner shall appoint a committee to review the alleged misconduct. This committee will include the Conference Commissioner, and two members (one graduate, one undergraduate) of the Executive Committee who are not interested parties.

      2. The committee shall review the facts of the alleged misconduct and seek additional information as needed.

      3. The committee shall attempt conduct a hearing with the school or individuals alleged to have committed the misconduct.

      4. The committee shall recommend action or penalties appropriate with the misconduct. These may include:

        1. Warning

        2. Disqualification from the event(s) where the misconduct took place

        3. Suspension of an individual from competition

        4. Suspension of a school from interconference or in-conference competition

        5. Other penalties deemed commensurate by the committee

        6. Misconduct deemed in violation of RRS 69 shall be referred to US Sailing for hearing

      5. The committee will provide a report to the conference leadership of the facts of the investigation, their decision and penalties imposed.

      6. Notification

        1. The committee will notify the individuals or schools of the outcome of their review in a timely manner, including what, if any, penalties will be imposed.

12.    PCCSC Championship Events:

  1. All PCCSC Championships events that qualify a team or teams for an ICSA Championship shall be sailed in conditions as close to those at the nationals as possible. This includes venue location, course configuration, and conditions. Schools should submit bids to host PCCSC Championships to the Executive Committee prior to the PCCSC Annual Meeting.

  2. The Conference Commissioner is responsible for the proper conduct of championship events. The Undergraduate President or appropriate Executive Officer shall submit written proposals for hosting Conference Championships at the Annual Meeting.

13.    PCCSC Match Racing Conference Championship – Richard B. Sweet Trophy

  1. PCCSC Regular or Provisional member schools in good standing may enter.

  2. The top Cross-Regional/Regional team is eligible for the ICSA Match Race National Championship.

  3. The date of the Match Racing Conference Championship, host school, boats, fleet size and site are to be established at the time of the spring meeting of the Executive Committee.

  4. If the minimum number of races (as prescribed by the ICSA Procedural Rules) to declare a champion have not been completed by the cutoff time racing shall continue until sunset.  If the minimum number of races still has not been met there shall be no Conference Champion. 

  5. In the event that there is no conference champion, the team that will represent the PCCSC at the ICSA Match Race Nationals will be determined by resume.

    1. Each competing team will be invited to submit a resume for review.

    2. Team resumes shall be reviewed by a committee consisting of the Conference Commissioner, and two other individuals with preference giving to knowledgeable match racers.

14.    PCCSC Men’s Singlehanded Conference Championship

  1. PCCSC Regular or Provisional member schools in good standing may enter a maximum of 4 sailors each

  2. The top Cross-Regional/Regional team finishers are eligible for the ICSA Men’s Singlehanded National Championship.

  3. The date of the Championship, host school and site, and number of entries are to be established at the time of the spring meeting of the Executive Committee.

  4. Sailors must register for the Conference Championship and prove eligibility no later than 5pm on the Thursday before the event.

  5. When the PCCSC Men’s Singlehanded Championship is sailed the Friday before the PCCSC Women’s Singlehanded Championship, a minimum of five races shall be completed by the end of racing on Friday. If less than five races are completed the event shall continue until five races have been completed or 1300, whichever is later. There shall be a maximum of 14 races sailed.

  6. If the minimum number of races (as prescribed by the ICSA Procedural Rules) to declare a champion have not been completed by the cutoff time racing shall continue until sunset.  If the minimum number of races still has not been met there shall be no Conference Champion. 

  7. In the event that there is no conference champion or completed regatta, the individuals that will represent the PCCSC at the ICSA Men’s Singlehanded Nationals will be determined by resume.

    1. Each sailor registered in the conference championships will be invited to submit a resume for review.

    2. Sailor resumes shall be reviewed by a committee consisting of the Conference Commissioner, and two other individuals with knowledge of the conference and singlehanded sailing. 

15.    PCCSC Women’s Singlehanded Conference Championship

  1. PCCSC Regular or Provisional member schools in good standing may enter a maximum of 4 sailors each

  2. The top Cross-Regional/Regional team finishers are eligible for the ICSA Women’s Singlehanded National Championship.

  3. The date of the Championship, host school and site, and number of entries are to be established at the time of the spring meeting of the Executive Committee.

  4. Sailors must register for the Conference Championship and prove eligibility no later than 5pm on the Thursday before the event.

  5. When the PCCSC Women’s Singlehanded Championship is sailed the Friday before the PCCSC Men’s Singlehanded Championship, a minimum of five races shall be completed by the end of racing on Friday. If less than five races are completed the event shall continue until five races have been completed or 1300, whichever is later. There shall be a maximum of 14 races sailed.

  6. If the minimum number of races (as prescribed by the ICSA Procedural Rules) to declare a champion have not been completed by the cutoff time racing shall continue until sunset.  If the minimum number of races still has not been met there shall be no Conference Champion. 

  7. In the event that there is no conference champion or completed regatta, the individuals that will represent the PCCSC at the ICSA Women’s Singlehanded Nationals will be determined by resume.

    1. Each sailor registered in the conference championships will be invited to submit a resume for review.

    2. Sailor resumes shall be reviewed by a committee consisting of the Conference Commissioner, and two other individuals with knowledge of the conference and singlehanded sailing.

16.    PCCSC Women’s Conference Championship – Charley Dole Memorial Trophy

  1. All PCCSC member schools in good standing may enter.

  2. The top Regular/Provisional member and Cross-Regional/Regional team finishers are eligible for the ICSA Women’s National Championship Semifinals.

  3. This event is to be sailed in the month of April or May with special regard to the Women’s National Championship Semifinals.

  4. The date of the Championship, host school and site are to be established by the time of the Annual meeting.

  5. The minimum fleet size is twelve (12) berths. If the host is able to accommodate more they must declare so at the time of the PCCSC Annual Meeting.

  6. If the minimum number of races (as prescribed by the ICSA Procedural Rules) to declare a champion have not been completed by the cutoff time racing shall continue until sunset.

  7. If the minimum number of races has not been met the event shall be rescheduled (if possible).

  8. If the minimum number of races (as prescribed by the ICSA Procedural Rules) to declare a champion have not been completed by the cutoff time, racing shall continue until sunset. If the minimum number of races still has not been met, the event shall be rescheduled (if possible).  If it is not possible to reschedule or at the rescheduled event the minimum number of races still has not been met, there shall be no Conference Champion.  To determine which teams shall represent the Conference at the National Championship, the Conference Commissioner shall average the scores of the Women’s Pacific Coast Championship and one other women’s regatta’s race scores where the majority of the teams participated (preference given to the most recent event).

17.    PCCSC Open Conference Championship – Mark Healy Trophy

  1. Qualifying PCCSC Regular or Provisional member schools in good standing may enter.
  2. The top Cross-Regional/Regional team finishers are eligible for the ICSA Open National Championship Semifinals.
  3. This event is to be sailed in the month of April or May with special regard to the ICSA Open National Championship Semifinals.
  4. The date of the Championship, host school and site are to be established at the time of the Annual meeting.
  5. The minimum fleet size is eighteen (18) berths. If the host is able to accommodate more they must declare so at the time of the PCCSC Annual Meeting.
  6. Eligible teams shall qualify for participation in the Open Conference Championship based on the following formula and format: 
    1. South District = Teams located south of the California - Oregon state line.
    2. North District = Teams located north of the California - Oregon state line.
    3. South District Berths to Open Championship = (number of south district schools / total number of PCCSC schools) x (number of berths available at spring championships).
    4. North District Berths to Open Championship = (number of north district schools / total number of PCCSC schools) x (number of berths available at spring championships).
    5. Example: There are 8 north district schools, 18 south district schools, and 18 berths available at the Open Conference Championship. 
      1. North = 8 / 26 = 0.308 x 18 = 5.54 = 6 berths at Open Conference Championship. The top 6 north district schools at the North Designate qualifier will advance to the Open Conference Championship.
      2. South = 18 / 26 = 0.692 x 18 = 12.46 = 12 berths at Open Conference Champs. The top 12 south district schools at the South Designate qualifier will advance to the Open Conference Championship.
    6. Teams shall qualify for their district’s eligible berths via the ‘South Designate’ or ‘North Designate’ qualifier. Teams may attend a designate that is not in their district but may only qualify for the Open Conference Championship via their district’s designate.
    7. Any open championship berth not claimed by a team within two days of the completion of their designate will be awarded to the next best performing team at their district’s designate. Each subsequent team will have 24 hours to respond from the time of invitation.
    8. Any berth not claimed by a district within five days of the completion of their designate will be awarded to the other district.
  7. If the minimum number of races (as prescribed by the ICSA Procedural Rules) to declare a champion have not been completed by the cutoff time, racing shall continue until sunset. If the minimum number of races still has not been met, the event shall be rescheduled (if possible). If it is not possible to reschedule or at the rescheduled event the minimum number of races still has not been met, there shall be no Conference Champion. To determine which teams shall represent the Conference at the National Semi-Final Championship, the Conference Commissioner shall average the scores of the Open Pacific Coast Conference Championship and the Fall Pacific Coast Championship.

18.    PCCSC Women’s Team Race Championship

  1. Qualifying PCCSC Regular or Provisional member schools in good standing may enter.

  2. The top Cross-Regional/Regional team finisher is eligible for the ICSA Women's Team Race National Championship.

  3. This event is to be sailed with special regard to the Women's Team Race National Championship.

  4. The date of the Championship, host school, and site are to be established by the time of the Annual meeting.

  5. The minimum fleet size a host shall be able to accommodate is eight (8) berths / 18 boats with one of those being an automatic berth for the University of Hawaii. If the host is able to accommodate more berths, they must declare so at the time of the PCCSC Annual Meeting.

  6. If more teams register than berths available, teams shall qualify for participation in the Team Racing Conference Championship based on their performance at the Women’s Fall Team Race Championship (with the exception of the University of Hawaii who shall receive an automatic berth). If the Women’s Fall Team Race was not completed, teams shall qualify for participation based on their performance at the Women’s Fall Pacific Coast Championship.

  7. If the minimum number of races (as prescribed by the ICSA Procedural Rules) to declare a champion have not been completed by the cutoff time, racing shall continue until sunset.  If the minimum number of races still has not been met, there shall be no Conference Champion. 

  8. In the event that there is no conference champion or completed regatta, the team that will represent the PCCSC at the ICSA Women’s Team Race National Championship will be determined by resume.

    1. Each team registered in the conference championships will be invited to submit a resume for review.

    2. Team resumes shall be reviewed by a committee consisting of the Conference Commissioner, and two other individuals with knowledge of the conference and team racing. 

19.    PCCSC Open Team Racing Championship – Carter Ford Trophy

  1. Qualifying PCCSC Regular or Provisional member schools in good standing may enter.

  2. The top Cross-Regional/Regional team finisher is eligible for the ICSA Open Team Race National Championship.

  3. This event is to be sailed with special regard to the Open Team Race National Championship.

  4. The date of the Championship, host school and site are to be established by the time of the Annual meeting.

  5. The minimum fleet size a host shall be able to accommodate is eight (8) berths / 18 boats with one of those being an automatic berth for the University of Hawaii. If the host is able to accommodate more berths, they must declare so at the time of the PCCSC Annual Meeting. 

  6. If more teams register than berths available, teams shall qualify for participation in the Team Racing Conference Championship based on their performance at the McIntyre Team Race (with the exception of the University of Hawaii who shall receive an automatic berth). If the McIntyre Team Race was not completed, or fewer teams attended McIntyre than berths available at PCCSC Team Race Champs, additional berths shall be awarded based on teams’ performance at the most recent Fall Pacific Coast Championship (with the exception of the University of Hawaii who shall receive an automatic berth).

  7. If the minimum number of races (as prescribed by the ICSA Procedural Rules) to declare a champion have not been completed by the cutoff time, racing shall continue until sunset.  If the minimum number of races still has not been met, there shall be no Conference Champion. 

  8. In the event that there is no conference champion or completed regatta, the team that will represent the PCCSC at the ICSA Open Team Race National Championship will be determined by resume.

    1. Each team registered in the conference championships will be invited to submit a resume for review.

    2. Team resumes shall be reviewed by a committee consisting of the Conference Commissioner, and two other individuals with knowledge of the conference and team racing. 

20.    Team Uniforms and Record of Participation

  1. All PCCSC Competitors shall wear a uniform designating their school. The uniform shall be a lightweight jersey or pinnie worn over the lifejacket or identical colored lifejackets. 

  2. The college's name, nickname, mascot or other identifying image shall be present on the back of the uniform to designate the college and shall be the same for all team members.

  3. Record of Participation shall be fully completed on techscore by midnight on the last day of the regatta.

  4. Penalties

    1. Teams that fail to wear team uniforms may receive a 20 point per division penalty (LOP - Lack Of Pinnie) added at the end of the regatta. This penalty will be at the discretion of the conference commissioner.

    2. Teams that fail to complete their Record of Participation by midnight on the last day of the regatta may receive a 20 point per division penalty (MRP - Missing Record of Participation) added at the end of the regatta.  This penalty will be at the discretion of the conference commissioner.

21.    Varsity and Junior Varsity:

  1. In any PCCSC regatta, there may be a Junior Varsity division scored separately from the Varsity Division. In non-interconference regattas the Varsity and Junior Varsity fleets may be combined. If the fleets are not combined, in non-interconference regattas, each team may enter two teams in the Varsity Division provided one team is an all-women’s team. There is no restriction on substitution between Varsity and JV. Within Varsity and JV all ICSA substitution rules must be followed.

  2. For Interconference regattas where boats are not provided, a second varsity team may be allowed provided it is comprised of all women.

  3. For interconference regattas where boats are provided, a second varsity team may be allowed under the following circumstances:

    1. If the regatta is undersubscribed (there are fewer registered teams than boats and sails available), ten days preceding the event, a second team may be allowed provided it is comprised of all women, and with preference given to teams in order of finish at the most recent Women’s Fall Pacific Coast Championship.

    2. If the regatta a regional interconference and is undersubscribed (there are fewer registered teams than boats and sails available), five days preceding the event, a second open team may be allowed, with preference given to teams in order of finish at the most recent Fall Pacific Coast Championship.

22.    Breakdowns for Bring Your Own Boat Events:

  1. Redress may be awarded for boats that break down during regattas where the boats do not rotate, provided that it is deemed by the jury that the breakdown was not caused by poorly maintained equipment or poor seamanship.

23.    Racing Time Limit:

  1. A time limit for the start of the last race on a given day may be set prior to the first race of that day, unless such time is in the Schedule Bulletin or other written notice.

  2. For all PCCSC Championships, including nationals qualifiers and conference championships, racing shall continue until 1600 on the final day of competition, unless modified by the Notice of Race.

  3. Regardless of the status of the rotation, racing in any PCCSC scheduled fall dinghy fleet race regatta shall continue until 1530 hours on the last day of competition

  4. For spring dinghy fleet racing events racing shall continue until 1600 hours on the last day of competition unless there is a unanimous decision to do otherwise.

24.    Interconference Events:

  1. The Conference Commissioner shall appoint an officer to administer Interconference Regatta Selections according to the PCCSC Regatta Scheduling Policy (SR Appendix A).

  2. For teams traveling to Interconference events outside of the PCCSC a $50 Interconference fee will be charged with $20 going to the PCCSC.

  3. Before a team may compete in any Interconference they must have an Interconference Deposit of $100 on file with the PCCSC Treasurer.

  4. Teams failing to show at an Interconference Regatta for which they are scheduled, will forfeit their Interconference Deposit and must replace it before they can be eligible to compete again.

25.    Responsibilities of Schools

  1. In fairness to all participants involved teams entering round-robin events are obligated to fully complete the series unless there is valid extenuating circumstances and permission from the Race Committee is granted prior to departure.

  2. Teams scheduled to host events are obligated to fulfill these assignments. Should situations occur in which a hosting school is not able to fulfill their assignment, they are responsible to obtain a suitable host and give reasonable notice to the Conference Commissioner and Conference member schools.

  3. For entry into championship events where each entrant is required to provide his or her own equipment, the entrant may not bring equipment that is inferior to that with which they qualified.

  4. A host school shall provide a means for competitors to complete their Record of Participation (RP) forms.

  5. The host school will finalize the regatta in Techscore within one week of its completion.

  6. Teams failing to fulfill obligations are subject to penalties under the Interconference Selection Guidelines, as well as subject to disciplinary action by the PCCSC Executive Committee.

26.    Procedures for PCCSC Events

  1. PCCSC is geographically very large, requiring an impressive financial commitment by the membership in traveling to various events. It is important that the membership be informed well in advance of the particular details of Conference sailing events so that proper planning can be accomplished. The following procedures are rules to guide Conference officers and member schools through their responsibilities in properly conducting Conference events. The Executive Vice President is directly responsible to see that these procedures are followed. Failure to follow these procedures shall lead to penalties under the Interconference Selection Guidelines as well as possible additional sanctions by the Executive Committee.

  2. One Month in Advance:

    1. Host school notifies all eligible members and Conference officers with a Notice of Race (NOR). This notice may be mailed to all schools or sent to the PCCSC internet list (PCCSC@lists.collegesailing.org) and shall include the date of event, schedule, location, boats to be used and a contact person. Other specific information may be included.

    2. If the Notice of Race is sent out later than 14 days prior to the event, penalties shall be imposed under the Interconference Regatta Selection Procedures.

  3. Day of the Event:

    1. Host school provides to all eligible schools a set of Sailing Instructions.

    2. Host school provides Record of Participation Forms (RP Forms) and directs completion of the forms by all participating schools.

    3. Host school provides appropriate equipment and qualified personnel to manage the event. Key suggested items include (but are not limited to) Scoring forms, Protest Forms, Whistles, ‘X’ flag (or designate), Loudhailers, Appropriate race marks with adequate ground tackle and appropriate race committee and safety vessels.

  4. One week after the Event:

    1. Host school sends to the Conference Commissioner a Regatta Report. This report shall be consistent with ICSA Procedural Rules.

    2. If the Regatta Report sent out later than 7 days after the event, penalties shall be imposed under the Interconference Selection Procedures.

    3. Results should also be sent to the PCCSC internet list (pccsc@lists.collegesailing.org) for Conference regattas and to the ICSA Internet list (icsa@lists.collegesailing.org) for Interconference or qualifying regattas.

27.     All Conference Selection

  1. Following the finish of the Open and Women’s Fleet Race Conference Championships, PCCSC All-Conference Sailors will be recognized in the following categories. The All-Conference Team will be selected based on performance within the PCCSC and then ranked based on performance within the entire ICSA.  A committee composed of a minimum of three executive committee members including at least one graduate and one undergraduate shall decide the recipients.

    1. PCCSC All-Conference Open Skippers shall be those skippers that excelled in performance within the PCCSC and the ICSA.  The list shall be no more than 10.

    2. PCCSC All-Conference Women Skippers shall be those women skippers that excelled in performance within the PCCSC and the ICSA.  The list shall be no more than 10.

    3. PCCSC All Conference Crews shall be those crews that excelled in performance within the PCCSC and the ICSA.  The list shall be no more than 10.

    4. PCCSC Open Skipper of the Year shall be the skipper with the best performance within the PCCSC and the ICSA.  Honorable mention runner-ups are permitted.

    5. PCCSC Woman Skipper of the Year shall be the woman skipper with the best performance within the PCCSC and the ICSA.  Honorable mention runner-ups are permitted.

    6. PCCSC Rookie of the Year shall be a first year skipper with the best performance within the PCCSC and the ICSA.  Honorable mention runner-ups are permitted.

  2. These additional awards will be recognized following the finish of the Open Fleet Race Conference Championship.  The same committee will take nominations from the conference and vote on the nominees to find the recipient of each award.

    1. PCCSC Sportsmanship of the Year shall go to the sailor who exemplifies exceptional corinthian spirit and has the respect of their fellow competitors.

    2. PCCSC Student Leader of the Year shall go to the student who has had a highly active role in the organization of their team and the PCCSC and is looked up to by their teammates as a leader.

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