Situation
The ISAF Standard Notice of Race for Match Racing of January 2013 states that the class rules of the boats being used ‘shall not apply.’

Question
Has there been some change that now permits class rules to be excluded in this way, despite the fact that class rules are included in the definition of 'rule' which cannot normally be altered?

Answer
No. To delete the class rules is a change to the class rules. Neither the notice of race, nor the sailing instructions can change the class rules unless rule 87 applies. However, in match racing it is common that boats are not sailed as class boats, in which case the class rules are irrelevant. The sailing instructions for match racing would usually refer to 'x type of boat'. The sailing instructions then create a set of rules that apply for the type of boat (not class legal boats) at that regatta - The Handling of Boats.