THE
RACING RULES
OF
SAILING
for 2025-2028
Including US Sailing Prescriptions and changes
and corrections made by World Sailing as of January 1, 2025
United States Sailing Association
ussailing.org
1-800-877-2451
| As the leading authority for the sport, World Sailing promotes and supports the protection of the environment in all sailing competitions and related activities throughout the world. |
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Contact Details:
The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2025-2028
Including US Sailing Prescriptions
ISBN (paper): 978-1-938915-56-7
ISBN (waterproof): 978-1-938915-58-1
Issue Date: December 2024
Frequency: Quadrennially
Authorizing Organization: United States Sailing Association
1 Roger Williams University Way
Bristol, RI 02809
Issue Number: Issue No. 1
© World Sailing Limited, December 2024
Reprinted by permission of World Sailing (UK) Limited
Foreword, Prescriptions and Index © United States Sailing Association, 2024
All rights reserved.
Cover Design: Bradley Schoch
Front cover image: Lexi Pline | Back cover images: Allison Chenard, Lexi Pline, Simone Staff
Index Review: Sandy Grosvenor
Greetings to all US Sailors!
We often hear that the goal of regatta organizers is to provide racing that is safe, fair and fun. I think it’s worth reflecting for a moment on what we mean by this mantra.
The rules are written, first of all, to keep us safe by preventing contact between boats, even in the heat of intense competition. The rules of Part 2, When Boats Meet, tell you who has right of way and who must keep clear in each interaction between boats.
Unlike in most other sports, we are charged with holding ourselves and our fellow competitors to the rules: “A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated, she will promptly take an appropriate penalty ….” Call it Corinthian or self-policing, it means the same thing – most of the time it’s the players, not the officials, who enforce the rules. When we make a mistake, we are on our honor to take a penalty and sail on.
When we know that racing will be safe and fair, then we are free to have fun – to enjoy the competition and the beauty of our sport.
Learn the rules – study them, read about them, take a seminar. Many of us enjoy talking about them with fellow sailors … sometimes acted out with plastic boats, paper clips, even the silverware at the dinner table. Many rule changes begin with competitors, so if you have a suggestion, be sure to email it to the US Sailing Racing Rules Committee at rules@ussailing.org.
Finally, I want to thank you, our members, who support US Sailing’s mission and contribute in countless ways to the improvement of our sport.
Fair winds and following seas,
Henry Brauer, President of US Sailing
This 2025-2028 edition of The Racing Rules of Sailing was produced by US Sailing under license from World Sailing and is the result of four years of careful review of the 2021-2024 rules. This new edition of the RRS is a little unusual in that there are a large number of changes in the Definitions, Part 2 and Part 5. With that in mind, it might be a good year to carefully review the World Sailing Study Pack (often known as the ‘Study Version’). This important information can be found online at https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/rules-regulations/racingrules. In addition to this information, a review of the 2025-2028 Case, Appeals and Call Books will also be helpful. These should be available shortly after January 1, 2025.
Organizing Authorities, Race Officers and Judges should be aware that there is a major reorganization and rewrite of the Part 5 procedural rules. These rules, which cover protests, redress, hearings, misconduct and appeals, have been significantly revised. World Sailing realizes that this re-write will cause a very substantial amount of work in editing notices of race and sailing instructions, appeals, cases, manuals, exams, and race official literature. Accordingly, it has provided a ‘Destination Guide’ in the ‘Study Pack’ to explain where the current Part 5 rules have been moved to in the 2025-2028 RRS and to identify their new rule numbers.
In addition to the World Sailing rules, this rulebook contains ‘prescriptions’, which are rules adopted by US Sailing for events held in the United States. These prescriptions appear in bold italics. They do not apply when racing at a regatta in another country; in that case, refer to the prescriptions in that country’s rulebook.
Many of the rule changes in this book are the result of suggestions from competitors and race officials. The US Sailing Racing Rules Committee welcomes your ideas on how to improve the racing rules for the next rulebook. Please email comments and proposals to rules@ussailing.org.
Peter Wilson, Chairman, US Sailing Racing Rules Committee
Jim Capron, Tarasa Davis, David Dellenbaugh, Art Engel,
Rob Overton, and Dick Rose.
World Sailing has established a single internet address at which readers will find links to all the documents available on the World Sailing website that are mentioned in this book. Those documents are listed below. Links to other rules documents will also be provided at that address.
The address is: sailing.org/racingrules
US Sailing Note: Links to documents referred to in US Sailing prescriptions and notes can be found at ussailing.org/rules. However, links to documents referred to in Appendix R, Procedures for Appeals and Requests, can be found at ussailing.org/appeals.
The Racing Rules of Sailing includes two main sections. The first, Parts 1-7, contains rules that affect all competitors. The second, the appendices, provides details of rules, rules that apply to particular kinds of racing, and rules that affect only a small number of competitors or officials.
Terminology A term used in the sense stated in the Definitions is printed in italics or, in preambles, in bold italics (for example, racing and racing).
Each of the terms in the table below is used in The Racing Rules of Sailing with the meaning given.
| Term | Meaning |
| Boat | A sailboat and the crew on board, that are subject to the rules. |
| Competitor | A person who races or intends to race in the event. |
| National authority |
A World Sailing member national authority. |
| Race committee | The race committee appointed under rule 89.2(c) and any other person or committee performing a race committee function. |
| Racing rule | A rule in The Racing Rules of Sailing. |
| Technical committee | The technical committee appointed under rule 89.2(c) and any other person or committee performing a technical committee function. |
| Vessel | Any boat or ship. |
Other words and terms are used in the sense ordinarily understood in nautical or general use. For a source of the nautical sense of a word, a reader may refer to The Equipment Rules of Sailing.
Hails A language other than English may be used for a hail required by the rules provided that it is reasonable for it to be understood by all boats affected. However, a hail in English is always acceptable.
Notation The notation ‘[DP]’ in a rule means that the penalty for a breach of the rule may, at the discretion of the protest committee, be less than disqualification. Guidelines for discretionary penalties are available on the World Sailing website.
Revision The racing rules are revised and published every four years by World Sailing, the international authority for the sport. This edition becomes effective on 1 January 2025 except that for an event beginning in 2024 the date may be postponed by the notice of race. Marginal markings indicate important changes to Parts 1-7 and the Definitions in the 2021-2024 edition. No changes are contemplated before 2029, but any changes determined to be urgent before then will be announced through national authorities and posted on the World Sailing website.
Note: In this digital version of the rule book marginal markings will be indicated by grey highlighting of text.
Appendices When the rules of an appendix apply, they take precedence over any conflicting rules in Parts 1–7 and the Definitions. Each appendix in this book is identified by a letter. Other appendices are available on the World Sailing website and are identified by two or three letters. A reference to a rule in an appendix will contain the letter or letters, and the rule number (for example, ‘rule A1’ or ‘rule MR1’). The letters I, K, L, O and Q are not used to designate appendices in this book.
Development Rules Development Rules may be approved by World Sailing for specific events or categories of events. They are available on the World Sailing website and are identified by the letters DR.
Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions Guides and templates for writing a notice of race and sailing instructions are available, in various file formats, on the World Sailing website at www.sailing.org/racingrules. National authorities are encouraged to translate these guides and templates.
World Sailing Regulations The Regulations are referred to in the definition Rule and in rule 6, but they are not included in this book because they can be changed at any time. The most recent versions of the Regulations are published on the World Sailing website; new versions will be announced through national authorities.
Interpretations World Sailing publishes the following authoritative interpretations of the racing rules:
- •
- The Case Book – Interpretations of the Racing Rules,
- •
- The Call Books, for various disciplines,
- •
- Interpretations of Rule 42, Propulsion, and
- •
- Interpretations of the Regulations, for those Regulations that are rules.
These publications are available on the World Sailing website. Other interpretations of the racing rules are not authoritative unless approved by World Sailing.
US Sailing Prescriptions US Sailing prescriptions are printed in bold italics, except Appendices R, U and V. Those three appendices are, nevertheless, US Sailing prescriptions. No changes in the prescriptions are contemplated before 2029, but any change determined to be urgent before then will be posted in a document titled “Changes and Corrections to the US Sailing Prescriptions.” Go to ussailing.org/rules to find this document.
A term used as stated below is shown in italic type or, in preambles, in bold italic type. The meaning of several other terms is given in Terminology in the Introduction.
Abandon 
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Committee
Conflict of Interest A conflict of interest exists if a person
A conflict of interest exists if a person- (a)
- may gain or lose as a result of a decision to which that person contributes,
- (b)
- may reasonably appear to have a personal or financial interest which could affect that person's ability to be impartial, or
- (c)
- has a close personal interest in a decision.
Continuing Obstruction An obstruction is a continuing obstruction when the boat with the shortest hull referred to in the rule using the term will pass alongside it for at least three of her hull lengths. However, the following are not a continuing obstruction: a vessel under way, a boat racing, or a race committee vessel that is also a mark.
An obstruction is a continuing obstruction when the boat with the shortest hull referred to in the rule using the term will pass alongside it for at least three of her hull lengths. However, the following are not a continuing obstruction: a vessel under way, a boat racing, or a race committee vessel that is also a mark.Fetching
Finish A boat finishes when, after her starting signal, any part of her hull crosses the finishing line from the course side. However, she has not finished if after crossing the finishing line she
A boat finishes when, after her starting signal, any part of her hull crosses the finishing line from the course side. However, she has not finished if after crossing the finishing line she- (a)
- takes a penalty under rule 44.2,
- (b)
- corrects an error in sailing the course made at the line, or
- (c)
- continues to sail the course.
After finishing she need not cross the finishing line completely. The sailing instructions may change the direction in which boats are required to cross the finishing line to finish.
Keep Clear A boat keeps clear of a right-of-way boat
A boat keeps clear of a right-of-way boat- (a)
- if the right-of-way boat can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action and,
- (b)
- when the boats are overlapped, if the right-of-way boat can also change course in both directions without immediately making contact.
Leeward and Windward
Mark
Mark-Room Room for a boat
Room for a boat - (a)
- to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it,
- (b)
- to round or pass the mark on the required side, and
- (c)
- to leave it astern.
Obstruction An obstruction is
An obstruction is- (a)
- an object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her hull lengths from it;
- (b)
- an object that can be safely passed on only one side; or
- (c)
- an object, area or line that is so designated in a rule.
- However, a boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22 applies, avoid her.
Overlap See Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap.
- (a)
- for a protest hearing: a protestor, a protestee;
- (b)
- for a redress hearing: a boat requesting redress or for which redress is requested; a boat for which a hearing is called to consider redress under rule 61.1; a committee acting under rule 61.1;
- (c)
- for a redress hearing under rule 61.4(b)(1): the body alleged to have made an improper action or improper omission;
- (d)
- a person against whom an allegation of a breach of rule 69.1(a) is made; a person presenting an allegation under rule 69.2(e)(1);
- (e)
- a support person subject to a hearing under rule 62 or 69; any boat that person supports; a person appointed to present an allegation under rule 62.2
Postpone
Proper Course
Protest
Racing
Room
Rule
- (a)
- The rules in this book, including the Definitions, Race Signals, Introduction, preambles and the rules of relevant appendices, but not the Basic Principles or titles;
- (b)
- World Sailing Regulations that have been designated by World Sailing as having the status of a rule and are published on the World Sailing website;
- (c)
- the prescriptions of the national authority, unless they are changed by the notice of race or sailing instructions in compliance with the national authority’s prescription, if any, to rule 88.2;
- (d)
- the class rules (for a boat racing under a handicap or rating system, the rules of that system are ‘class rules’);
- (e)
- the notice of race;
- (f)
- the sailing instructions; and
- (g)
- any other documents that govern the event.
Sail the Course A boat sails the course when
A boat sails the course when
- (a)
- she starts;
- (b)
- a string representing her track until she finishes, when drawn taut,
- (1)
- passes each mark of the course for the race on the required side and in the correct order (including the starting marks),
- (2)
- touches each mark designated in the sailing instructions to be a rounding mark, and
- (3)
- passes between the marks of a gate from the direction of the course from the previous mark; and then
- (c)
- she finishes.
Start A boat starts when, her hull having been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her starting signal, and having complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, any part of her hull crosses the starting line from the pre-start side to the course side.
A boat starts when, her hull having been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her starting signal, and having complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, any part of her hull crosses the starting line from the pre-start side to the course side.Support Person Any person who
Any person who
- provides, or may provide, physical or advisory support to a competitor, including any coach, trainer, manager, team staff, medic, paramedic or any other person working with, treating or assisting a competitor in or preparing for the competition, or
- is the parent or guardian of a competitor.
Tack, Starboard or Port
Windward See Leeward and Windward.
Zone
The Basic Principles shall not be changed.
SPORTSMANSHIP AND THE RULES
Competitors in the sport of sailing are governed by a body of rules that they are expected to follow and enforce. A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated, she will promptly take an appropriate penalty or action, which may be to retire.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Participants are encouraged to minimize any adverse environmental impact of the sport of sailing.
- 1.2
- Life-Saving Equipment and Personal Flotation Devices
A boat shall carry adequate life-saving equipment for all persons on board, including one item ready for immediate use, unless her class rules make some other provision. Each competitor is individually responsible for wearing a personal flotation device adequate for the conditions.
- 2
- FAIR SAILING
A boat and her owner shall compete in compliance with recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play. A boat may be penalized under this rule only if it is clearly established that these principles have been violated. The penalty shall be a disqualification that is not excludable.
- Each competitor, boat owner and support person shall comply with the World Sailing Regulations that have been designated by World Sailing as having the status of a rule. These regulations as of 30 June 2024 are the World Sailing:
- Advertising Code
- Anti-Doping Code
- Code of Ethics
- Eligibility Code
- Sailor Categorization Code
The rules of Part 2 apply between boats that are sailing in or near the racing area and intend to race, are racing, or have been racing. However, a boat not racing shall not be penalized for breaking one of these rules, except rule 14 when the incident resulted in injury or serious damage, or rule 23.1.
When a boat sailing under these rules meets a vessel that is not, she shall comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCAS) or government right-of-way rules. If the notice of race so states, the rules of Part 2 are replaced by the right-of-way rules of the IRPCAS or by government right-of-way rules.
SECTION A
RIGHT OF WAY
A boat has right of way over another boat when the other boat is required to keep clear of her. However, some rules in Sections B, C and D limit the actions of a right-of-way boat.
- 13
- WHILE TACKING
After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other’s port side or the one astern shall keep clear.
SECTION B
GENERAL LIMITATIONS
- 14
- AVOIDING CONTACT
If reasonably possible, a boat shall- (a)
- avoid contact with another boat,
- (b)
- not cause contact between boats, and
- (c)
- not cause contact between a boat and an object that should be avoided.
- However, a right-of-way boat, or one sailing within the room or mark-room to which she is entitled, need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or mark-room.
- 17
- ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on the same tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat.
Last Sentence Removed
SECTION C
AT MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS
Section C rules do not apply between boats when the mark or obstruction referred to in those rules is a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or its anchor line, from the time the boats are approaching it to start until they have left it astern.
- 18.1
- When Rule 18 Applies
- (a)
-
- Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply
- (1)
- between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward,
- (2)
- between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,
-
- (3)
- between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or
-
- (4)
- if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.
- 18.2
- Giving Mark-Room
-
- (a)
-
-
- When the first of two boats reaches the zone,
- (1)
- if the boats are overlapped, the outside boat at that moment shall give the inside boat mark-room;
- (2)
- if the boats are not overlapped, the boat that has not reached the zone at that moment shall give the other boat mark-room.
- When a boat is required to give mark-room by this rule, she shall continue to do so for as long as this rule applies, even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.
-
-
- 18.3
- Tacking in the Zone
- If a boat passes head to wind from port to starboard tack in the zone of a mark to be left to port, rule 18.2 does not apply between her and another boat on starboard tack that is fetching the mark. If the other boat has been on starboard tack since entering the zone, the boat that passed head to wind
- (a)
- shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact, and
- (b)
- shall give mark-room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her.
- If a boat passes head to wind from port to starboard tack in the zone of a mark to be left to port, rule 18.2 does not apply between her and another boat on starboard tack that is fetching the mark. If the other boat has been on starboard tack since entering the zone, the boat that passed head to wind
- 19.2
- Giving Room at an Obstruction
- (c)
- While boats are passing a continuing obstruction, if a boat that was clear astern and required to keep clear becomes overlapped between the other boat and the obstruction and, at the moment the overlap begins, there is not room for her to pass between them,
- (1)
- she is not entitled to room under rule 19.2(b), and
- (2)
- while the boats remain overlapped, she shall keep clear and rules 10 and 11 do not apply.
- 20.3
- Passing On a Hail to an Additional Boat
When a boat has been hailed for room to tack and she intends to respond by tacking, she may hail another boat on the same tack for room to tack and avoid her. She may hail even if her hail does not meet the conditions of rule 20.1. Rule 20.2 applies between her and a boat she hails.
SECTION D
OTHER RULES
When rule 21 or 22 applies between two boats, Section A rules do not.
- 25.1
- The notice of race shall be made available to each boat that enters an event before she enters. The sailing instructions shall be made available to each boat before a race begins.
US Sailing prescribes that the race committee shall ensure that the notice of race and sailing instructions are readily available to each boat until the end of the event.
- 26
- STARTING RACES
Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
*or as stated in the notice of race or sailing instruction
The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.
- 27.1
- No later than the warning signal, the race committee shall signal or otherwise designate the course to be sailed if the sailing instructions have not stated the course, and it may replace one course signal with another and signal that wearing personal flotation devices is required (display flag Y with one sound).
- 27.3
- Before the starting signal, the race committee may for any reason postpone (display flag AP, AP over H, or AP over A, with two sounds) or abandon the race (display flag N, N over H, or N over A, with three sounds).
- 29.1
- Individual Recall
When at a boat’s starting signal any part of her hull is on the course side of the starting line or she must comply with rule 30.1, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound. The flag shall be displayed until the hull of each such boat has been completely on the pre-start side of the starting line or one of its extensions, and until all such boats have complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, but no later than four minutes after the starting signal or one minute before any later starting signal, whichever is earlier. If rule 29.2, 30.3 or 30.4 applies this rule does not.
- 29.2
- General Recall
When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side of the starting line or to which rule 30 applies, or there has been an error in the starting procedure, the race committee may signal a general recall (display the First Substitute with two sounds). The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound), and the starts for any succeeding classes shall follow the new start.
- 30.1
- I Flag Rule
If flag I has been displayed, and any part of a boat’s hull is on the course side of the starting line or one of its extensions during the last minute before her starting signal, she shall sail across an extension so that her hull is completely on the pre-start side before she starts.
- 30.2
- Z Flag Rule
If flag Z has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall receive, without a hearing, a 20% Scoring Penalty calculated as stated in rule 44.3(c). She shall be penalized even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If she is similarly identified during a subsequent attempt to start the same race, she shall receive an additional 20% Scoring Penalty.
- 30.3
- U Flag Rule
If flag U has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, but not if the race is restarted or resailed.
- 30.4
- Black Flag Rule
If a black flag has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If a general recall is signalled or the race is abandoned after the starting signal, the race committee shall display her sail number before the next warning signal for that race, and if the race is restarted or resailed she shall not sail in it. If she does so, her disqualification shall not be excluded in calculating her series score.
- 32.1
- After the starting signal, the race committee may shorten the course or abandon the race:
In addition, the race committee may shorten the course so that other scheduled races can be sailed, or abandon the race because of an error in the starting procedure. However, after one boat has sailed the course within the race time limit, if any, the race committee shall not abandon the race without considering the consequences for all boats in the race or series.
- 32.2
- To shorten the course, the race committee shall display flag S with two sounds before the first boat crosses the finishing line. If the course is shortened, the finishing line shall be,
-
- 32.3
- To abandon
a race in progress
, the race committee shall display flag N, N over H, or N over A, with three sounds.
- 33
- CHANGING THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE
While boats are racing, the race committee may change a leg of the course that begins at a rounding mark or at a gate by changing the position of the next mark (or the finishing line) and signalling all boats before they begin the leg. The next mark need not be in position at that time.
- 34
- MARK MISSING
If a mark is missing or out of position while boats are racing, the race committee shall, if possible,
US Sailing prescribes that, if a finishing mark is missing but another one remains in place, the finishing line is a line through the remaining mark at a 90° angle to the last leg and of the shortest practicable length. If the race committee is absent when a boat finishes, she should at the first reasonable opportunity report to the race committee her finishing time and her position in relation to nearby boats.
- 35
- RACE TIME LIMIT AND SCORES
If one boat sails the course within the time limit for that race, if any, all boats that finish shall be scored according to their finishing places unless the race is abandoned. If no boat sails the course within the race time limit, the race committee shall abandon the race.
Part 4 rules apply only to boats racing unless the rule states otherwise.
SECTION A
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- 42.1
- Basic Rule
Except when permitted in rule 42.3 or 45, a boat shall compete by using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed. Her crew may adjust the trim of sails and hull, and perform other acts of seamanship, but shall not otherwise move their bodies to propel the boat.
- 43.2
- A boat exonerated for breaking a rule need not take a penalty and shall not be penalized for breaking that rule.
- 44.1
- Taking a Penalty
A boat may take a Two-Turns Penalty when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 in an incident while racing. She may take a One-Turn Penalty when she may have broken rule 31. Alternatively, the notice of race or sailing instructions may specify the use of the Scoring Penalty or some other penalty, in which case the specified penalty shall replace the One-Turn and the Two-Turns Penalty. However,
- 44.2
- One-Turn and Two-Turns Penalties
After getting well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as possible, a boat takes a One-Turn or Two-Turns Penalty by promptly making the required number of turns in the same direction, each turn including one tack and one gybe. When a boat takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, her hull shall be completely on the course side of the line before she finishes.
- 44.3
- Scoring Penalty
- (b)
- When a boat has taken a Scoring Penalty, she shall keep the yellow flag displayed until finishing and call the race committee’s attention to it at the finishing line. At that time she shall also inform the race committee of the identity of the other boat involved in the incident. If this is impracticable, she shall do so at the first reasonable opportunity and within the protest time limit.
- (c)
- The race score for a boat that takes a Scoring Penalty shall be the score she would have received without that penalty, made worse by the number of points stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions. When the number of points is not stated, the penalty shall be 20% of the score for Did Not Finish, rounded to the nearest tenth of a point (0.05 rounded upward). The scores of other boats shall not be changed; therefore, two boats may receive the same score. However, the penalty shall not cause the boat’s score to be worse than the score for Did Not Finish.
- 45
- HAULING OUT; MAKING FAST; ANCHORING
A boat shall be afloat and off moorings at her preparatory signal. Thereafter, she shall not be hauled out or made fast except to bail out, reef sails or make repairs. She may anchor or the crew may stand on the bottom. She shall recover the anchor before continuing in the race unless she is unable to do so.
SECTION B
EQUIPMENT-RELATED REQUIREMENTS
- 49.2
- When lifelines are required by the class rules or any other rule, competitors shall not position any part of their torsos outside them, except briefly to perform a necessary task. However, on boats equipped with upper and lower lifelines, competitors sitting facing outboard with their waist inside the lower lifeline may have the upper part of their body outside the upper lifeline. Unless a class rule or any other rule specifies a maximum deflection, lifelines shall be taut. If the class rules do not specify the material or minimum diameter of lifelines, they shall comply with the corresponding specifications in the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations.
Note: Those regulations are available on the World Sailing website.
- 50.1
-
- (b)
- Furthermore, a competitor’s clothing and equipment shall not weigh more than 8 kilograms, excluding a crew harness (as defined in The Equipment Rules of Sailing) and clothing (including footwear) worn only below the knee. Class rules or the notice of race may specify a lower weight or a higher weight up to 10 kilograms. Class rules may include footwear and other clothing worn below the knee within that weight. A crew harness shall have positive buoyancy in fresh water and shall not weigh more than 2 kilograms, except that class rules may specify a higher weight up to 4 kilograms. Weights shall be determined as required by Appendix H.
- 51
- MOVABLE BALLAST
All movable ballast, including sails that are not set, shall be properly stowed. Water, dead weight or ballast shall not be moved for the purpose of changing trim or stability. Floorboards, bulkheads, doors, stairs and water tanks shall be left in place and all cabin fixtures kept on board. However, bilge water may be bailed out.
| NOTE TO READER Part 5 has been fully revised and restructured. While the entire section has been updated, it will not be highlighted for readability purposes. |
A hearing request form and a hearing decision form are available on the World Sailing website at: www.sailing.org/racingrules
The Racing Rules of Sailing does not require a particular hearing request form to be used.
US Sailing prescribes that no fees shall be charged for protests or requests for redress.
SECTION A
PROTESTS; REDRESS; SUPPORT PERSONS
- 60.2
- Intention to Protest
-
- (a)
- If a protest concerns an incident observed by the protestor in the racing area:
- (1)
- If the protestor is a boat, she shall hail ‘Protest’ and, if her hull length is longer than 6 meters, conspicuously display a red flag, at the first reasonable opportunity for each. She shall display the flag until she is no longer racing.
- (2)
- If the protestor is a committee, it shall inform the boat after the race within the protest time limit of its intention to protest her.
-
- (b)
- However, if
- (1)
- the protestee is not within hailing distance at the time of the incident,
- (2)
- the incident was an error in sailing the course,
-
- (3)
- the incident was not observed by the protestor in the racing area, or
-
- (4)
- a protest committee decides to protest a boat under rule 60.4(c),
- then the only requirement for the protestor is to inform the protestee of its intention to protest at the first reasonable opportunity.
- (c)
- If at the time of the incident it is obvious to a protesting boat that a member of either crew is in danger, or that injury or serious damage has resulted, rules 60.2(a) and 60.2(b) do not apply to her, but she shall attempt to inform the other boat within the protest time limit of her intention to protest.
-
- 60.3
- Delivering a Protest
- (a)
-
- When delivered, a protest shall be in writing and identify the protestor, the protestee, and the incident.
-
- (b)
- A protest shall be delivered to the race office (or by such other method as stated in the sailing instructions) within the protest time limit unless the protest committee decides there is good reason to extend the time. The protest time limit is
- (1)
- for protests about an incident observed in the racing area, two hours after the last boat in the race finishes, or
- (2)
- for other protests, two hours after the relevant information is available to the protestor.
- However, if the sailing instructions state a different protest time limit, then that time limit applies instead.
- 60.4
- Protest Validity
-
- (a)
- A protest is invalid
- (1)
- if it does not comply with the definition Protest or rule 60.2 or 60.3,
- (2)
- if it is from a boat that alleges a breach of a rule of Part 2 or rule 31, but she was not involved in it or did not see the incident, or
-
- (3)
- as far as it alleges a breach of rule 69 or a Regulation referred to in rule 6, unless permitted by the Regulation concerned.
- (a)
-
- (c)
- However, rule 60.4(b) does not apply to a protest from
- (1)
- the protest committee if it learns of an incident involving a boat that may have resulted in injury or serious damage,
- (2)
- the protest committee if it learns during the hearing of a valid protest that the boat, although not a party to the hearing, was involved in the incident and may have broken a rule, or
-
- (3)
- the technical committee if it has first conducted an inspection and decided a boat or personal equipment does not comply with the class rules or rule 50.
-
- However, if the sailing instructions state a different protest time limit, then that time limit applies instead.
- (c)
-
- 60.5
- Protest Decisions
-
-
- (c)
- If the protest committee decides that a boat has broken a rule it shall disqualify her whether or not the applicable rule was mentioned in the protest. However, the boat shall not be disqualified if
- (1)
- she is exonerated or some other penalty applies,
- (2)
- the boat has already taken an applicable penalty, in which case she shall not be penalized further unless the penalty for a rule she broke is disqualification that is not excludable,
-
- (3)
- the race is restarted or resailed, in which case rule 36 applies, or
-
- (4)
- she broke a class rule and rule 60.5(d)(1) applies.
- If a boat has broken a rule when not racing, her penalty shall apply to the race sailed nearest in time to the incident.
- (c)
-
- (d)
- If the protest committee decides that a boat has broken a class rule:
- (1)
- the boat shall not be penalized if any deviations in excess of tolerances specified in the class rules were caused by damage or normal wear and they did not improve the performance of the boat,
- (2)
- the boat shall not race again until any such deviations have been corrected unless the protest committee decides there is, or has been, no reasonable opportunity to do so,
-
- (3)
- any breach of the same rule in earlier races in the same event may have the same penalty imposed for all such races without further protest, and
-
- (4)
- the boat may compete in subsequent races without changes to the boat, but only if she states in writing that she intends to appeal. If she fails to appeal, or the appeal is not successful, she shall be disqualified without a hearing from all subsequent races in which she competed.
-
-
- 61.2
- Requests for Redress
-
-
- (b)
- A request shall be delivered to the race office (or by such other method as stated in the sailing instructions):
- (1)
- if it is based on an incident in the racing area, within the protest time limit or two hours after the incident (whichever is later),
- (2)
- if it is based on a protest committee decision on the last scheduled day of racing, no later than 30 minutes after the decision was posted, or
-
- (3)
- for all other requests, as soon as reasonably possible after the relevant information is available.
- However, the protest committee shall extend the time if there is good reason to do so.
- (b)
-
-
- 61.4
- Redress Decisions
-
-
- (b)
- A boat is entitled to redress if her score or place in a race or series has been made, or may be made, significantly worse through no fault of her own by
- (1)
- an improper action or improper omission of a committee or the organizing authority, but not by a protest committee decision when the boat was a party to the hearing,
- (2)
- injury or physical damage because of the action of a boat that was breaking a rule of Part 2 and took an appropriate penalty or was penalized,
-
- (3)
- injury or physical damage because of the action of a vessel not racing that was required to keep clear or is determined to be at fault under the IRPCAS or a government right-of-way rule,
-
- (4)
- giving help (except to herself or her crew) in compliance with rule 1.1, or
-
- (5)
- an action of another boat, or a crew member or support person of that boat, that resulted in a penalty under rule 2 or a penalty or warning under rule 69.
- (b)
-
- (c)
- If a boat is entitled to redress, the protest committee shall make as fair an arrangement as possible for all boats affected, whether or not they asked for redress. This may be to adjust the scoring (see rule A9 for examples) or finishing times of boats, to abandon the race, to let the results stand or to make some other arrangement.
-
- 62.4
- In addition, if the protest committee decides that
- (a)
- a boat may have gained a competitive advantage as the result of the breach by the support person, or
-
- (b)
- the support person committed a further breach after the protest committee warned a boat in writing, following a previous hearing, that a penalty may be imposed, then the protest committee may also penalize a boat that is a party to the hearing for the breach of a rule by a support person by changing the boat’s score in a single race, up to and including disqualification.
SECTION B
HEARINGS AND MAKING DECISIONS
Rule 63 applies to all hearings conducted by the protest committee.
US Sailing prescribes that:
- (a)
- No person who brings an incident to the attention of the protest committee or who will give evidence regarding an incident shall, when practicable, be a member of the protest committee for a hearing involving that incident.
-
- (b)
- A request for redress based on a protest committee decision shall, when practicable, be heard by a committee that contains no members of the committee that made the original decision.
- (b)
- 63.1
- Rights of Parties
-
-
- (a)
- All parties to a hearing shall be
- (1)
- informed of the time and place of the hearing,
- (2)
- given access to the protest, request for redress, or report to be considered at the hearing,
-
- (3)
- allowed reasonable time to prepare for the hearing, and
-
- (4)
- allowed to have a representative present throughout the hearing of the evidence but, in a protest involving a breach of a rule of Part 2, 3 or 4, representatives of boats shall have been on board at the time of the incident unless there is good reason for the protest committee to decide otherwise.
- (a)
-
- (b)
- If a party does not come to a hearing, the protest committee may proceed with the hearing in their absence.
- US Sailing prescribes that when redress has been requested or is to be considered for one or more boats:
- (a)
- Any other boat may participate in the hearing.
- (b)
- The protest committee shall make a reasonable attempt to notify all boats of the time and place of the hearing and the reason for the request or for considering redress, and boats shall be allowed reasonable time to prepare for the hearing.
- (c)
- The protest committee shall call a hearing to hear the request for redress and to consider redress for any other boats that
- (1)
- participate in the hearing, or
-
- (2)
- request in writing to do so before the hearing begins.
- (b)
-
-
- 63.2
- Hearings
- (c)
- If the validity requirements are met, the protest committee may change the type of case if it is appropriate to do so having considered the information in the case, including any evidence given during a hearing.
- 63.3
- Conflict of Interest
- (b)
- A party to the hearing who believes a protest committee member has a conflict of interest shall object as soon as possible.
-
- (c)
- A protest committee member with a conflict of interest shall not be a member of the protest committee for the hearing, unless:
- (1)
- all parties consent, or
- (2)
- the protest committee decides that the conflict of interest is not significant.
- However, for World Sailing major events, or for other events as prescribed by the national authority of the venue, a person who has a conflict of interest shall not be a member of the protest committee.
- (c)
- 63.5
- Decisions
-
- (b)
- Decisions shall be made by simple majority vote. When there is an equal division of votes, the chair of the hearing may cast an additional vote.
-
- (c)
- If there is a conflict between
- (1)
- two or more rules that must be resolved before a decision can be made, and
- (2)
- those rules are in the notice of race, the sailing instructions, or any of the other documents that govern the event under item (g) of the definition Rule, then the protest committee shall apply the rule that it believes will provide the fairest result for all boats affected.
-
- (d)
- If the protest committee is in doubt about the meaning of a class rule, it shall refer its questions, together with the relevant facts, to an authority responsible for interpreting the rule. In making its decision, the protest committee is bound by the authority’s reply.
- US Sailing prescribes that the authority responsible for interpreting the rules of a handicap or rating system is the organization that issued the handicap or the rating certificate involved.
-
- 63.7
- Reopening a Hearing
- (a)
- The protest committee may reopen a hearing if it decides
- (1)
- a party was unavoidably absent from the hearing,
- (2)
- it may have made a significant error, or
-
- (3)
- significant new evidence has become available within a reasonable time.
- However, a protest committee shall reopen a hearing when required to do so by the national authority under rule 71.3 or R5.
-
- (b)
- A party to the hearing may request a reopening by delivering a written request to the race office (or by such other method as stated in the sailing instructions) no later than 24 hours after being informed of the decision. The request shall identify the reason for making it. However, on the last scheduled day of racing the request shall be delivered
- (1)
- within the protest time limit if the requesting party was informed of the decision on the previous day;
- (2)
- no later than 30 minutes after the party was informed of the decision on that day.
- A request that does not comply with this rule is invalid.
-
- (c)
- The protest committee shall consider all requests to reopen a hearing. When a request to reopen is being considered, or when the hearing is reopened,
- (1)
- if based only on new evidence, a majority of the members of the protest committee shall, if practicable, be members of the original committee;
- (2)
- if based on a significant error, the protest committee shall, if practicable, have at least one new member.
- When a boat reports within the protest time limit that she has broken a rule which is subject to a discretionary penalty, the protest committee shall decide the appropriate penalty having first considered the evidence that it considers appropriate. There is no requirement to hold a hearing.
- 65
- LEGAL LIABILITY AND COSTS
- 65.1
- Questions of legal liability arising from a breach of a rule, including any claims for monetary damages, shall be governed by prescriptions, if any, of the national authority.
US Sailing prescribes that
- (a)
- A boat that retires from a race or accepts a penalty does not, by that action alone, admit liability for monetary damages.
-
- (b)
- A protest committee shall find facts and make decisions only in compliance with the rules. No protest committee or US Sailing appeal authority shall adjudicate any claim for monetary damages. Such a claim is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts.
-
- (c)
- A basic purpose of the rules is to prevent contact between boats. By participating in an event governed by the rules, a boat agrees that responsibility for monetary damages arising from any breach of the rules shall be based on fault as determined by application of the rules, and that she shall not be governed by the legal doctrine of ‘assumption of risk’ for monetary damages resulting from contact with other boats.
SECTION C
MISCONDUCT
US Sailing Note: Before conducting a hearing under rule 69, a protest committee is urged to study the chapter on misconduct in the US Sailing Judges Manual. Go to ussailing.org/judges and click the link to the Judges Manual.
- 69.2
- Action by a Protest Committee
- (e)
- If the protest committee decides to call a hearing, it shall promptly inform the person in writing of the alleged breach and of the time and place of the hearing and follow the procedures in rule 63, except that:
- (1)
- unless a person has been appointed by World Sailing, a person may be appointed by the protest committee to present the allegation.
- (2)
- a person against whom an allegation has been made under this rule shall be entitled to attend the hearing with an advisor and a representative who may act on the person’s behalf.
- (g)
- The standard of proof to be applied is the test of the comfortable satisfaction of the protest committee, bearing in mind the seriousness of the alleged misconduct. However, if the standard of proof in this rule conflicts with the laws of a country, the national authority may, with the approval of World Sailing, change it with a prescription to this rule.
- (h)
- When the protest committee decides that a competitor or boat owner has broken rule 69.1(a), it may take one or more of the following actions
- (1)
- issue a warning;
- (2)
- change their boat’s score in one or more races, including disqualification(s) that may or may not be excluded from her series score;
- (3)
- exclude the person from the event or venue or remove any privileges or benefits; and
- (4)
- take any other action within its jurisdiction as provided by the rules.
- (j)
- If the protest committee
- (1)
- imposes a penalty greater than one DNE;
- (2)
- excludes the person from the event or venue; or
- (3)
- in any other case if it considers it appropriate,
- it shall report its findings, including the facts found, its conclusions and decision to the national authority of the person or, for major international events listed in the World Sailing Code of Ethics, to World Sailing. If the protest committee has acted under rule 69.2(f)(2), the report shall also include that fact and the reasons for it.
- (k)
- If the protest committee decides not to conduct the hearing without a party present, or if the protest committee has left the event and a report alleging a breach of rule 69.1(a) is received, the race committee or organizing authority may appoint the same or a new protest committee to proceed under this rule. If the protest committee decides it is impractical to conduct a hearing, it shall collect all available information and, if the allegation seems justified, make a report to the national authority of the person or, for major international events listed in the World Sailing Code of Ethics, to World Sailing.
- 69.3
- Action by a National Authority and World Sailing
The disciplinary powers, procedures and responsibilities of national authorities and World Sailing that apply are specified in the World Sailing Code of Ethics. National authorities and World Sailing may impose further penalties, including suspension of eligibility, under that code.
SECTION D
APPEALS
- 70.3
- There is no right to appeal decisions:
- (b)
- that are essential to promptly determine the result of a race that will qualify a boat to compete in a later stage of an event or a subsequent event (and the national authority may prescribe that its approval is required for the use of this rule),
- US Sailing prescribes that its approval is required. Go to ussailing.org/rules and click the ‘No Appeal’ link for more information or to obtain approval.
- (c)
- made at an event open only to boats entered by
- (1)
- an organization affiliated to the national authority, or a member of such an organization, or
- (2)
- a personal member of the national authority,
- provided the national authority has granted its approval for the use of this rule, or
- (d)
- made at an event by a protest committee constituted as required by Appendix N, except that only two members of the protest committee need be International Judges, and provided that the national authority has granted its approval to the use of this rule after consultation with World Sailing.
- However, (b), (c) and (d) shall only apply if specified in the notice of race or sailing instructions.
- 70.4
- In rules 70 to 72, the national authority means the one to which the organizing authority is associated under rule 89.1. However, if boats will pass through the waters of more than one national authority while racing, an appeal or request shall be sent to the national authority where the finishing line is located, unless the sailing instructions identify another national authority.
- 71.4
- If the national authority orders a hearing to be reopened, it may limit the scope of the reopened hearing to such issues as it considers appropriate.
-
- 71.5
- If the national authority decides that a boat that was a party to a protest hearing broke a rule and is not exonerated, it shall penalize her, whether or not that boat or that rule was mentioned in the protest committee’s decision.
-
- 71.6
- The decision of the national authority is final. The national authority shall send its decision in writing to all parties to the hearing and the protest committee, who shall be bound by the decision.
-
- A club or other organization affiliated to a national authority may request an interpretation of the rules from the national authority, provided that no protest committee decision that may be appealed is involved. An interpretation shall not be used to change a previous protest committee decision.
US Sailing Note: See Appendix R, rule 1.4, about how to request such an interpretation from US Sailing.
- 75
- ENTERING AN EVENT
To enter an event, a boat shall comply with the requirements of the organizing authority of the event. She shall be entered by
- (a)
- a member of a club or other organization affiliated to a World Sailing member national authority,
- (b)
- such a club or organization, or
- (c)
- a member of a World Sailing member national authority.
- 76.1
-
- The organizing authority or the race committee may reject or cancel the entry of a boat or exclude a competitor, provided
- (a)
- it does so before the start of the first race after receipt of the entry for the boat or the competitor, and
- (b)
- it states a proper reason for doing so.
US Sailing prescribes that an organizing authority or race committee shall not reject or cancel the entry of a boat or exclude a competitor eligible under the notice of race and sailing instructions for an arbitrary or capricious reason or for reason of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or age. However, an organizing authority or race committee may exclude a competitor who is a citizen of, or holds a World Sailing ID as an MNA member of, a country listed on the US Sailing website under ‘Exclusion’ at ussailing.org/rules. - The organizing authority or the race committee may reject or cancel the entry of a boat or exclude a competitor, provided
- 76.2
-
- However, the organizing authority or the race committee shall not reject or cancel the entry of a boat or exclude a competitor
- (a)
- because of advertising if the boat or competitor complies with the World Sailing Advertising Code, or
- (b)
- at world and continental championships if the entry is within stated quotas and the approval of the relevant World Sailing Class Association (or the Offshore Racing Congress) or World Sailing has not been obtained.
- However, the organizing authority or the race committee shall not reject or cancel the entry of a boat or exclude a competitor
- 78.1
- While a boat is racing, her owner and any other person in charge shall ensure that the boat is maintained to comply with her class rules and that her measurement or rating certificate, if any, remains valid. In addition, the boat shall also comply at other times specified in the class rules, the notice of race or the sailing instructions. When a rule provides that the penalty for a breach of a class rule may be less than disqualification, the same penalty will apply to a breach of this rule.
- 78.2
- When a rule requires a valid certificate to be produced or its existence verified before a boat races, and this cannot be done, the boat may race provided that the appropriate committee receives a statement signed by the person in charge that a valid certificate exists. The boat shall produce the certificate or arrange for its existence to be verified by the appropriate committee before the start of the last day of the event, or of the first series, whichever is earlier. The penalty for breaking this rule is disqualification without a hearing from all races of the event.
- 81
- INDEMNIFICATION OR HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENTS
US Sailing prescribes that the organizing authority shall not require a competitor to assume any liabilities of the organizing authority, race committee, protest committee, host club, sponsors, or any other organization or official involved with the event. (This is commonly referred to as an ‘indemnification’ or ‘hold harmless’ agreement. Go to ussailing.org/rules and click the ‘Indemnification’ link for more information.)
- 85.2
- A change to one of the following types of rules may be made only as shown below.
Type of rule Change only if permitted by Racing rule Rule 86 Rule in a World Sailing code A rule in the code National authority prescription Rule 88.2 Class Rule Rule 87 Rule in the notice of race Rule 89.2(b) Rule in the sailing instructions Rule 90.2(c) Rule in any other document governing the event A rule in the document itself
- 86.1
- A racing rule shall not be changed unless permitted in the rule itself or as follows:
- (a)
- Prescriptions of a national authority may change a racing rule, but not the Definitions; a rule in the Introduction; Part 2 or 7; rule 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 42, 43, 47, 50, 63.3, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75, 76.2(b) or 79; a rule of an appendix that changes one of these rules; Appendix H or N; or a rule in a World Sailing Code listed in rule 6.1.
- 86.2
- In exception to rule 86.1, World Sailing may in limited circumstances authorize changes to the racing rules for a specific international event. The authorization shall be stated in a letter of approval to the organizing authority and in the notice of race, and the letter shall be posted on the official notice board.
- 86.3
- If a national authority so prescribes, the restrictions in rule 86.1 do not apply if rules are changed to develop or test proposed rules. The national authority may prescribe that its approval is required for such changes.
US Sailing prescribes that:
- (a)
- In exception to rule 86.1, an organizing authority may request, and US Sailing may authorize, proposed changes to the racing rules for a specific event. The authorization shall be stated in a letter of approval to the organizing authority, and the letter shall be posted on the official notice board.
Go to ussailing.org/rules and click the ‘Experimental Rules’ link to apply.- (b)
- The proposed rule changes shall be stated in the notice of race and sailing instructions, and the organizing authority shall promptly report the results of the test to US Sailing if the approval letter so states.
- 88.1
- Prescriptions that Apply
The prescriptions that apply to an event are the prescriptions of the national authority with which the organizing authority is associated under rule 89.1. However, if boats will pass through the waters of more than one national authority while racing, the notice of race shall identify the prescriptions that will apply and when they will apply.
- 88.2
- Changes to Prescriptions
The notice of race or sailing instructions may change a prescription. However, a national authority may restrict changes to its prescriptions with a prescription to this rule, provided World Sailing approves its application to do so. The restricted prescriptions shall not be changed.
US Sailing prescribes that the notice of race or sailing instructions may change or delete any prescriptions except: this prescription, Appendix R, the prescription to the preamble to Part 5, and the prescriptions to rules 65.1, 70.3(b) and 76.1.
- 89.1
- Organizing Authority
An event shall be organized by an organizing authority, which shall be
In rule 89.1, an organization is affiliated if it is affiliated to the national authority of the venue; otherwise the organization is unaffiliated. However, if boats will pass through the waters of more than one national authority while racing, an organization is affiliated if it is affiliated to the national authority of one of the ports of call.
- 90.2
- Sailing Instructions
- (c)
- The sailing instructions may be changed provided the change is in writing and posted on the official notice board before the time stated in the sailing instructions or, on the water, communicated to each boat before her warning signal. Oral changes may be given only on the water, and only if the procedure is stated in the sailing instructions.
- 90.3
- Scoring
- (a)
- The race committee shall score a race or series as provided in Appendix A unless the notice of race or sailing instructions specify some other system. A race shall be scored if it is not abandoned and if one boat sails the course within the race time limit, if any, even if she retires after finishing or is disqualified.
- (e)
- When so stated in the notice of race, notwithstanding the provisions of rules 90.3(a), (b), (c) and (d), there shall be no changes to race or series scores resulting from action, including the correction of errors, initiated more than 24 hours after the later of
- (1)
- the protest time limit for the last race of the event;
- (2)
- being informed of a protest committee decision after the last race of the event; or
- (3)
- the event results are published.
- However, in exception, changes to scores shall be made resulting from a decision under rule 6, 69 or 71. The notice of race may change ‘24 hours’ to a different time.
- 91
- PROTEST COMMITTEE
A protest committee shall be
- (b)
- an international jury appointed by the organizing authority or as prescribed in the World Sailing Regulations (It shall be composed as required by rule N1 and have the authority and responsibilities stated in rule N2. A national authority may prescribe that its approval is required for the appointment of international juries for events within its jurisdiction, except World Sailing events or when international juries are appointed by World Sailing under rule 89.2(c).); or
-
- See rule 90.3.
- A1
- NUMBER OF RACES
The number of races scheduled and the number required to be scored to constitute a series shall be stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions; see rule 90.3(a).
- A2.1
- Each boat’s series score shall, subject to rule 90.3(b), be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score. However, the notice of race or sailing instructions may make a different arrangement by providing, for example, that no score will be excluded, that two or more scores will be excluded, or that a specified number of scores will be excluded if a specified number of races are scored; see rule 90.3(a). If a boat has two or more equal worst scores, the score(s) for the race(s) sailed earliest in the series shall be excluded. The boat with the lowest series score wins and others shall be ranked accordingly.
- A3
- STARTING TIMES AND FINISHING PLACES
The time of a boat’s starting signal shall be her starting time, and the order in which boats finish a race shall determine their finishing places. However, when a handicap or rating system is used a boat’s corrected time shall determine her finishing place.
- A4
- SCORING SYSTEM
This Low Point System will apply unless the notice of race or sailing instructions specify another system; see rule 90.3(a).
- Each boat finishing and not thereafter retiring, being penalized or given redress shall be scored points as follows:
| Finishing Place | Points |
| First | 1 |
| Second | 2 |
| Third | 3 |
| Fourth | 4 |
| Fifth | 5 |
| Sixth | 6 |
| Seventh | 7 |
| Each place thereafter | Add 1 point |
- A5.1
-
- When a race committee determines that a boat:
- (a)
- did not sail the course,
- (c)
- retired or took a penalty under rule 44.3(a),
- it shall score the boat accordingly without a hearing. Only the protest committee may take other scoring actions that worsen a boat’s score.
- When a race committee determines that a boat:
- A5.2
- A boat that did not sail the course, retired or was disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series. A boat that is penalized under rule 30.2 or that takes a penalty under rule 44.3(a) shall be scored points as provided in rule 44.3(c).
- A5.3
- If the notice of race or sailing instructions state that rule A5.3 will apply, rule A5.2 is changed so that a boat that came to the starting area but did not sail the course, retired or was disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats that came to the starting area, and a boat that did not come to the starting area shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series.
- A6.1
- If a boat is disqualified from a race, or retires after finishing, or is scored Did not sail the course, each boat with a worse finishing place shall be moved up one place.
- A7
- RACE TIES
If boats are tied at the finishing line or if a handicap or rating system is used and boats have equal corrected times, the points for the place for which the boats have tied and for the place(s) immediately below shall be added together and divided equally. Boats tied for a race prize shall share it or be given equal prizes.
- A8.2
- If a tie remains between two or more boats, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in the last race. Any remaining ties shall be broken by using the tied boats’ scores in the next-to-last race and so on until all ties are broken. These scores shall be used even if some of them are excluded scores.
- A10
- SCORING ABBREVIATIONS
These scoring abbreviations shall be used for recording the circumstances described:
US Sailing Note on Scoring a Long Series: The scoring systems in Appendix A may be inappropriate for a long series, such as a club’s season championship held over several weeks or months, in which some boats do not compete in all of the races and in which more boats compete in some races than in others. Go to ussailing.org/rules and click the ‘Scoring a Long Series’ link for an explanation of the scoring problems that occur in such series, alternative scoring systems, and language for sailing instructions to implement them.
- Windsurfing fleet races (including marathon races) shall be sailed under The Racing Rules of Sailing as changed by this appendix. The term ‘boat’ elsewhere in the rules means ‘board’ or ‘boat’ as appropriate. A marathon race is a race intended to last more than one hour.
Note: Links to windsurfing rules for some other formats or competitions can be found on the World Sailing website.
CHANGES TO THE DEFINITIONS
- The definitions Mark-Room, and Tack, Starboard or Port are changed to:
Mark-Room Mark-Room for a board is room to sail her proper course to round or pass the mark.
Tack, Starboard or Port A board is on the tack, starboard or port, corresponding to the competitor’s hand that would be nearer the mast if the competitor were in normal sailing position with both hands on the wishbone and arms not crossed. A board is on starboard tack when the competitor’s right hand would be nearer the mast and is on port tack when the competitor’s left hand would be nearer the mast.
The definition Zone is deleted.
- Add the following definitions:
- Capsize A board is capsized when she is not under control because her sail or the competitor is in the water.
- Rounding or Passing A board is rounding or passing a mark from the time her proper course is to begin to manoeuvre to round or pass it, until the mark has been rounded or passed.
- B2
- CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 2
- 13
- WHILE TACKING
Rule 13 is changed to:
After a board passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boards until her sail has filled. During that time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply. If two boards are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other’s port side or the one astern shall keep clear.
- 16.1
- CHANGING COURSE OR POSITION OF EQUIPMENT
Rule 16.1 is changed to:
When a right-of-way board changes course or the position of her equipment, she shall give the other board room to keep clear.
- 17
- ON THE SAME TACK BEFORE A REACHING START
Rule 17 is changed to:
When, at the warning signal, the course to the first mark is approximately ninety degrees from the true wind, a board overlapped to leeward of another board on the same tack during the last 30 seconds before her starting signal shall not sail above her shortest course through the starting line to the first mark while they remain overlapped if as a result the other board would need to take action to avoid contact, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other board.
- 18
- MARK-ROOM
-
- 18.1
- When Rule 18 Applies
The first sentence of rule 18.1(a) is changed to:
Rule 18 applies between boards when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is rounding or passing it. -
- 18.2
- Giving Mark-Room
Rule 18.2(a) is changed to:
- (a)
-
- When the first of two boards is rounding or passing the mark,
-
- (1)
- if the boards are overlapped, the outside board shall give the inside board mark-room;
- (2)
- if the boards are not overlapped, the board clear astern at that moment shall give the other board mark-room.
- When a board is required to give mark-room by rule 18.2(a), she shall continue to do so for as long as this rule applies, even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.
- 18.4
- Gybing or Bearing Away
Rule 18.4 is changed to:
When an inside overlapped right-of-way board must gybe or bear away at a mark to sail her proper course, until she gybes or bears away she shall sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail that course. Rule 18.4 does not apply at a gate mark.
- 22
- CAPSIZED; AGROUND; RESCUING
Rule 22 is changed to:
- B3
- CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 3
- 26
- STARTING RACES
Rule 26 is changed to:
- 26.1
- System 1 (for Upwind Starts)
Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
*or as stated in the notice of race or sailing instructionsMinutes before starting signal Visual signal Sound
signalMeans 5* Class flag One Warning
signal4 P, I, U, or black flag One Preparatory
signal1 Preparatory flag removed One long One minute 0 Class flag
removedOne Starting
signal
The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.
- 26.2
- System 2 (for Reaching Starts)
Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
Minutes before starting signal Visual signal Sound
signalMeans 3 Class flag Attention
signal2 Red flag; attention signal removed One Warning
signal1 Yellow flag; red flag removed One Preparatory
signal1/2 Yellow flag removed 30 seconds 0 Green flag One Starting signal
- 26.3
- System 3 (for Beach Starts)
- (a)
- When the starting line is on the beach, or so close to the beach that the competitor must stand in the water to start, the start is a beach start.
- (b)
- The starting stations shall be numbered so that station 1 is the most windward one. Unless the sailing instructions specify some other system, a board’s starting station shall be determined
- (1)
- by ranking (the highest ranking board on station 1, the next highest on station 2, and so on), or
- (2)
- by draw.
- (c)
- After boards have been called to take their positions, the race committee shall make the preparatory signal by displaying a red flag with one sound. The starting signal shall be made, at any time after the preparatory signal, by removing the red flag with one sound.
- (d)
- After the starting signal each board shall take the shortest route from her starting station to the water and then to her sailing position without interfering with other boards. Part 2 rules will apply when both of the competitor’s feet are on the board.
- 30
- STARTING PENALTIES
Rule 30.2 is deleted.
- B4
- CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 4
- 42
- PROPULSION
Rule 42 is changed to:
A board shall be propelled only by the action of the wind on the sail and by the action of the water on the hull or its appendages. However, pumping and fanning the sail is permitted. The board shall not be propelled by paddling, swimming or walking.
- 44
- PENALTIES AT THE TIME OF AN INCIDENT
Rule 44 is changed to:
- 44.1
- Taking a Penalty
A board may take a 360°-Turn Penalty when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 in an incident while racing. Alternatively, the notice of race or sailing instructions may specify the use of some other penalty, in which case the specified penalty shall replace the 360°-Turn Penalty. However, if the board caused injury or serious damage or, despite taking a penalty, gained a significant advantage in the race or series by her breach, her penalty shall be to retire.
- 44.2
- 360°-Turn Penalty
After getting well clear of other boards as soon after the incident as possible, a board takes a 360°-Turn Penalty by promptly making a 360° turn with no requirement for a tack or a gybe. When a board takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, her hull shall be completely on the course side of the line before she finishes.
- 50
- COMPETITOR CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Rule 50.1(a) is changed to:
(a) Competitors shall not wear or carry clothing or equipment for the purpose of increasing their weight. However, a competitor may wear a drinking container that shall have a capacity of no more than 1.5 litres.
PART 4 RULES DELETED
- B5
- CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 5
- 60
- PROTESTS
Rule 60.1(a) is changed by deleting ‘or saw’. -
- 60.2
- Intention to Protest
- Rule 60.2(a)(1) is changed to:
- (a)
-
- If a protest concerns an incident observed by the protestor in the racing area:
-
- (1)
- If the protestor is a board, she shall hail ‘Protest’ at the first reasonable opportunity. She shall also inform the race committee of her intention to protest as soon as practicable after she finishes or retires.
- Rule 60.2(a)(1) is changed to:
- 60.3
- Delivering a Protest
- Add to rule 60.3(a):
This rule does not apply to a race in an elimination series that will qualify a board to compete in a later stage of an event.
- Add to rule 60.3(a):
- 60.4
- Protest Validity
- In rule 60.4(a)(2), delete ‘or did not see’.
- 61.4
- Redress Decisions
In rule 61.4(b)(2) and 61.4(b)(3), change ‘injury or physical damage’ to ‘injury, physical damage or capsize’.
- 63.4
- Hearing Procedure
Add to rule 63.4:
However, for an elimination series race that will qualify a board to compete in a later stage of an event, protests and requests for redress need not be in writing; they shall be made orally to a member of the protest committee as soon as reasonably possible following the race. The protest committee may take evidence in any way it considers appropriate and may communicate its decision orally.
- 63.5
- DECISIONS
Rule 63.5(d) is changed to:
- (d)
- If the protest committee is in doubt about a matter concerning the measurement of a board, the meaning of a class rule, or damage to a board, it shall refer its questions, together with the relevant facts, to an authority responsible for interpreting the rule. In making its decision, the committee is bound by the authority’s reply.
- 63.6
- INFORMING THE PARTIES AND OTHERS
Add to rule 63.6(b):
This rule does not apply to a race in an elimination series that will qualify a board to compete in a later stage of an event.
- 70
- APPEALS AND REQUESTS
TO A NATIONAL AUTHORITY
Rules 70.3(b) is changed to: -
-
- (b)
- that are essential to promptly determine the result of a race that will qualify a board to compete in a subsequent event (a national authority may prescribe that its permission is required for such a procedure);
-
- Add new rule 70.3(e):
-
- (e)
- made in an elimination series that will qualify a board to compete in a later stage of an event.
-
-
- B8
- CHANGES TO APPENDIX A
- A1
- NUMBER OF RACES; OVERALL SCORES
Rule A1 is changed to:
The number of races scheduled and the number required to be scored to constitute a series shall be stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions; see rule 90.3(a). If an event includes more than one discipline or format, the notice of race or sailing instructions shall state how the overall scores are to be calculated.
- A2
- SERIES SCORES
Rule A2.1 is changed to:
Each board’s series score shall, subject to rule 90.3(b), be the total of her race scores excluding her
- (a)
- worst score when from 5 to 11 races have been scored, or
However, the notice of race or sailing instructions may make a different arrangement. If a board has two or more equal worst scores, the score(s) for the race(s) sailed earliest in the series shall be excluded. The board with the lowest series score wins and others shall be ranked accordingly.- (b)
- two worst scores when 12 or more races have been scored (see rule 90.3(a)).
- A8.2
- If a tie remains between two or more boards, each board’s race scores, including excluded scores, shall be listed in order of best to worst, and at the first point(s) where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favour of the board(s) with the best score(s). These scores shall be used even if some of them are excluded scores.
- A8.3
- If a tie still remains between two or more boards, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in the last race. Any remaining ties shall be broken by using the tied boards’ scores in the next-to-last race and so on until all ties are broken. These scores shall be used even if some of them are excluded scores.
- B9
- CHANGES TO APPENDIX G
- G1.3
- Positioning
Rule G1.3 is changed to:
The class insignia shall be displayed once on each side of the sail in the area above a line projected at right angles from a point on the luff of the sail one-third of the distance from the head to the wishbone. The national letters and sail numbers shall be in the central third of that part of the sail above the wishbone, clearly separated from any advertising. They shall be black and applied back to back on an opaque white background. The background shall extend a minimum of 30 mm beyond the characters. There shall be a ‘–’ between the national letters and the sail number, and the spacing between characters shall be adequate for legibility.
- Note: A Standard Notice of Race, Standard Sailing Instructions, and Match Racing Rules for Visually Impaired Sailors are available on the World Sailing website.
- C2.1
- The definition Finish is changed to
-
- Finish A boat finishes when, after her starting signal, any part of her hull crosses the finishing line from the course side after completing any penalties. However, when penalties are cancelled under rule C7.2(d) after one or both boats have finished each shall be recorded as finished when she crossed the line. A boat has not finished if she continues to sail the course.
-
- C2.7
- Rule 16.2 is changed to:
- 16.2
- In addition, when boats on opposite tacks are sailing to a mark that is to windward of them, the starboard-tack boat shall not bear away to a course that is more than ninety degrees from the true wind and that is below her proper course, if as a result the port-tack boat must change course immediately to continue keeping clear.
- C2.8
- Rule 17 is deleted.
- C2.9
- Rule 18 is changed to:
- 18.1
- When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it. Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when the boat entitled to mark-room is on the next leg and the mark is astern of her.
- 18.3
- Tacking or Gybing
- (b)
- When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must change tack at a mark to sail her proper course, until she changes tack she shall sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail that course. Rule 18.3(b) does not apply at a gate mark or a finishing mark and a boat shall be exonerated for breaking this rule if the course of another boat was not affected before the boat changed tack.
- C2.10
- Rule 20.4(a) is changed to:
- C2.11
- Rule 21.3 is deleted.
- C2.12
- Rule 23.1 is changed to:
- C2.15
- Rule 31 is changed to:
- 31
- TOUCHING A MARK
While racing, neither the crew nor any part of a boat’s hull shall touch a starting mark before starting, a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the course on which she is sailing, or a finishing mark after finishing. In addition, while racing, a boat shall not touch a race committee vessel that is also a mark.
- C3.1
- Starting Signals
The signals for starting a match shall be as follows. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the failure of a sound signal shall be disregarded. If more than one match will be sailed, the starting signal for one match shall be the warning signal for the next match.
*Within a flight, numeral pennant 1 means Match 1, pennant 2 means Match 2, etc., unless the sailing instructions state otherwise.Time in minutes Visual signal Sound
signalMeans 7 Flag F displayed One Attention signal 6 Flag F removed None 5 Numeral pennant displayed* One Warning signal 4 Flag P displayed One Preparatory signal 2 Blue or yellow flag or both displayed** One** End of pre-start entry time 1 Flag P removed One long 0 Warming signal removed One Starting signal
**These signals shall be made only if one or both boats fail to comply with rule C4.2. The flag(s) shall be displayed until the umpires have signalled a penalty or for one minute, whichever is earlier.
- C3.2
- Changes to Related Rules
- (a)
-
- Rule 29.1 is changed to:
- (1)
- When at a boat’s starting signal any part of her hull is on the course side of the starting line or one of its extensions, the race committee shall promptly display a blue or yellow flag identifying the boat with one sound. The flag shall be displayed until the hull of the boat is completely on the pre-start side of the starting line or one of its extensions or until two minutes after her starting signal, whichever is earlier.
- (2)
- When after a boat’s starting signal any part of her hull crosses from the pre-start side to the course side of the starting line across an extension without having started correctly, the race committee shall promptly display a blue or yellow flag identifying the boat. The flag shall be displayed until the hull of the boat is completely on the pre-start side of the starting line or one of its extensions or until two minutes after her starting signal, whichever is earlier.
- Rule 29.1 is changed to:
- C4.1
- At a boat’s preparatory signal, her hull shall be completely outside the line that is at a 90º angle to the starting line through the starting mark at her assigned end. In the pairing list, the boat listed on the left-hand side is assigned the port end and shall display a blue flag at her stern while racing. The other boat is assigned the starboard end and shall display a yellow flag at her stern while racing.
- C6.2
- A boat may not protest another boat under
- (a)
- rule 14, unless damage or injury results;
- C6.3
- A boat requesting redress because of circumstances that arise while she is racing or in the finishing area shall clearly display a red flag as soon as possible after she becomes aware of those circumstances, but no later than two minutes after finishing or retiring.
- C6.5
- Umpire Decisions
- (a)
- After flag Y is displayed, the umpires shall decide whether to penalize any boat. They shall signal their decision in compliance with rule C5.1, C5.2 or C5.3. However,
- (1)
- if the umpires decide to penalize a boat, and as a result that boat will have more than two outstanding penalties, the umpires shall signal her disqualification under rule C5.4;
- (2)
- when the umpires penalize a boat under rule C8.2 and in the same incident there is a flag Y from a boat, the umpires may disregard the flag Y.
- C7.2
- All Penalties
- (a)
- A penalized boat may delay taking a penalty within the limitations of rule C7.3 and shall take it as follows:
- (1)
- When on a leg of the course to a windward mark, she shall gybe and, as soon as reasonably possible, luff to a close-hauled course.
- (2)
- When on a leg of the course to a leeward mark or the finishing line, she shall tack and, as soon as reasonably possible, bear away to a course that is more than ninety degrees from the true wind.
- C7.4
- Taking and Completing Penalties
- (c)
- The umpire boat for each match shall display blue or yellow flags or shapes, each flag or shape indicating one outstanding penalty. When a boat has taken a penalty, or a penalty has been cancelled, one flag or shape shall be removed, with the appropriate sound signal. Failure of the umpires to signal correctly shall not change the number of penalties outstanding.
- C8.1
- Rule Changes
Rule 60.1 does not apply to protests by the race committee or technical committee under rules for which penalties may be imposed by umpires.
- C8.2
- When the umpires decide that a boat has broken rule 31, 42, C4, C7.3(c) or C7.3(d) she shall be penalized by signalling her under rule C5.2 or C5.3. However, if a boat is penalized for breaking a rule of Part 2 and if she in the same incident breaks rule 31, she shall not be penalized for breaking rule 31. Furthermore, a boat that displays an incorrect flag or does not display the correct flag shall be warned orally and given an opportunity to correct the error before being penalized.
- C8.7
- When the match umpires, together with at least one other umpire, decide that a boat has broken rule 14 and damage resulted, they may impose a points-penalty without a hearing. The competitor shall be informed of the penalty as soon as practicable and, at the time of being so informed, may request a hearing. The protest committee shall then proceed under rule C6.6. Any penalty decided by the protest committee may be more than the penalty imposed by the umpires. When the umpires decide that a penalty greater than one point is appropriate, they shall act under rule C8.4.
- C9.2
- A competitor may not base a request for redress on a claim that an action by an official boat was improper. The protest committee may decide to consider giving redress in such circumstances but only if it believes that an official boat, including an umpire boat, may have seriously interfered with a competing boat.
- C10.3
- When a single round robin is terminated before completion, or a multiple round robin is terminated during the first round robin, a competitor’s score shall be the average points scored per match sailed by the competitor. However, if any of the competitors have completed less than one-third of the scheduled matches, the entire round robin shall be disregarded and, if necessary, the event declared void. For the purposes of tie-breaking in rule C11.1(a), a competitor’s score shall be the average points scored per match between the tied competitors.
- C10.4
- When a multiple round robin is terminated with an incomplete round robin, only one point shall be available for all the matches sailed between any two competitors, as follows:
Number of matches completed
between any two competitorsPoints for each win 1 One point 2 Half a point 3 A third of a point (etc.)
- C11.1
- Round-Robin Series
In a round-robin series competitors are assigned to one or more groups and scheduled to sail against all other competitors in their group one or more times. Each separate stage identified in the event format shall be a separate round-robin series irrespective of the number of times each competitor sails against each other competitor in that stage.
Ties between two or more competitors in a round-robin series shall be broken by the following methods, in order, until all ties are broken. When one or more ties are only partially broken, rules C11.1(a) to C11.1(e) shall be reapplied to them. Ties shall be decided in favour of the competitor(s) who
- (c)
- has the most points against the competitor placed highest in the round-robin series or, if necessary, second highest, and so on until the tie is broken. When two separate ties have to be resolved but the resolution of each depends upon resolving the other, the following principles shall be used in the rule C11.1(c) procedure:
- (1)
- the higher-place tie shall be resolved before the lower-place tie, and
- (2)
- all the competitors in the lower-place tie shall be treated as a single competitor for the purposes of rule C11.1(c);
- C11.3
- Remaining Ties
When rule C11.1 or C11.2 does not resolve a tie,
- (a)
- if the tie needs to be resolved for a later stage of the event (or another event for which the event is a direct qualifier), the tie shall be broken by a sail-off when practicable. When the race committee decides that a sail-off is not practicable, the tie shall be decided in favour of the competitor who has the highest score in the round-robin series after eliminating the score for the first race for each tied competitor or, should this fail to break the tie, the second race for each tied competitor and so on until the tie is broken. When a tie is partially resolved, the remaining tie shall be broken by reapplying rule C11.1 or C11.2.
Team races shall be sailed under The Racing Rules of Sailing as changed by this appendix.
- D1.1
- Definitions and the Rules of Parts 2 and 4
- (a)
- In the definition Zone the distance is changed to two hull lengths.
- (b)
- Rule 18.2(a) is changed to:
- (a)
- When the first of two boats reaches the zone,
- (1)
- if the boats are overlapped, the outside boat at that moment shall give the inside boat mark-room;
- (2)
- if the boats are not overlapped, the boat that has not reached the zone at that moment shall give the other boat mark-room.
- If a boat passes head to wind and at that moment is clear astern of a boat in the zone, she shall give the clear-ahead boat mark-room.
- When a boat is required to give mark-room by this rule, she shall continue to do so for as long as this rule applies, even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.
- (d)
- When stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions, rule 20.4 is changed so that the following arm signals are required in addition to the hails:
- (1)
- for 'Room to tack', repeatedly and clearly pointing to windward; and
- (2)
- for ‘You tack’, repeatedly and clearly pointing at the other boat and waving the arm to windward.
- D1.2
- Protests and Requests for Redress
- (a)
- A boat may
-
- (1)
- protest another boat, but her protest is invalid if it alleges a breach of a rule of Part 2 and she was not involved in the incident, unless the incident involved contact between boats on the other team (This changes rule 60.4(a)(2).);
- (2)
- remove her red flag after it has been conspicuously displayed (This changes rule 60.2(a)(1).);
- (3)
- request redress, but not for damage or injury caused by another boat on her team (This changes rule 61.1(a).).
-
- D1.3
- Penalties
- (a)
- Rule 44.1 is changed to:
A boat may take a One-Turn Penalty when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2, or rule 31 or 42, in an incident while racing. However, she or her team may be further penalized under rule D2.3 or D3.3 if the incident caused injury or damage, or despite taking a penalty her team has gained an advantage.
- D2.1
- When Rule D2 Applies; Redress and Breakdowns
-
- (c)
- A boat requesting redress for an incident in the racing area, or requesting a breakdown score change under rule D5.2, shall conspicuously display a red flag at the first reasonable opportunity after the incident or breakdown. She shall display the red flag until it is acknowledged by the race committee or an umpire.
-
- D4.4
- Round-Robin Tie Breaks
Ties in a round-robin stage shall be broken using results from that stage only.
- (a)
- If the tied teams have all sailed each other at least once in the stage, the tie shall be broken in the order below.
- (1)
- Percentage of races won in all races between the tied teams, highest first;
- (2)
- Average points per race in all races between the tied teams, lowest first;
- (3)
- If two teams remain tied, the winner of the last race between them;
- (4)
- Average points per race in all races against common opponents, lowest first;
- (5)
- A sail-off if possible, otherwise a game of chance.
- D4.5
- Scoring a Knockout Stage
- (b)
- The winner of a match shall be the first team to score the number of race wins stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions. If a match is terminated, the winner shall be the team with the higher number of race wins in that match or, if this is a tie, the team that won the last race of the match.
- (c)
-
- (1)
- Teams that win in a round shall be ranked ahead of those that lose.
- (2)
- Teams that lose in a round and do not sail again shall be equally ranked.
- (3)
- In a round that is not scored, teams shall be ranked in order of their places in the previous stage of the event, with teams from different groups ranked separately.
- D5.4
- When the race committee decides that the team’s score was made significantly worse, that the breakdown was through no fault of the crew, and that in the same circumstances a reasonably competent crew would not have been able to avoid the breakdown, it shall make as equitable a decision as possible. This may be to abandon and resail the race or, when the boat’s finishing place was predictable, award her points for that place. Any doubt about a boat’s position when she broke down shall be resolved against her.
- D5.5
- A breakdown caused by defective supplied equipment or a breach of a rule by an opponent shall not normally be determined to be the fault of the crew, but one caused by careless handling, capsizing or a breach by a boat on the same team shall be. If there is doubt, it shall be presumed that the crew are not at fault.
Radio sailing races shall be sailed under The Racing Rules of Sailing as changed by this appendix.
Note: Development Rules for Umpired Radio Sailing are available on the World Sailing website.
- E1.1
- Definitions
Add to the definition Conflict of Interest:
In the definition Zone the distance is changed to four hull lengths.- However, an observer does not have a conflict of interest solely by being a competitor.
Add new definition:
- Disabled A boat is disabled while she is unable to continue in the heat.
- E1.2
- Terminology
The Terminology paragraph of the Introduction is changed so that:
- (a)
- ‘Boat’ means a sailboat that is subject to the rules, controlled by radio signals and has no crew. However, in the rules of Part 1 and Part 5, rule E6 and the definitions Party and Protest, ‘boat’ includes the competitor controlling her.
- (b)
- ‘Competitor’ means the person designated to control a boat using radio signals.
- (c)
- In the racing rules, but not in its appendices, replace the noun ‘race’ with ‘heat’. In Appendix E a race consists of one or more heats and is completed when the last heat in the race is completed.
- E1.3
- Rules of Parts 1, 2 and 7
- (a)
- Rule 1.2 is deleted.
- (b)
- Hails under rules 20.1 and 20.3 shall include the sail number of the hailing boat followed by ‘Room to tack’.
- (c)
- Rule 22 is changed to: ‘If possible, a boat shall avoid a boat that is disabled.’
- (d)
- Rule 90.2(c) is changed to:
Changes to the sailing instructions may be communicated orally to all affected competitors before the warning signal of the relevant race or heat. When appropriate, changes shall be confirmed in writing.
- E2.1
- Hailing Requirements
- (a)
- A hail shall be made and repeated as appropriate so that the competitors to whom the hail is directed might reasonably be expected to hear it.
- (b)
- When a rule requires a boat to hail or respond, the hail shall be made by the competitor controlling the boat.
- (c)
- The individual digits of a boat’s sail number shall be hailed; for example ‘one five’, not ‘fifteen’.
- E3.4
- Starting and Finishing
- (a)
- Rule 26 is changed to:
Heats shall be started using warning, preparatory and starting signals at one-minute intervals. During the minute before the starting signal, additional sound or oral signals shall be made at ten-second intervals, and during the final ten seconds at one-second intervals. Each signal shall be timed from the beginning of its sound.
- (b)
- The starting and finishing lines shall be between the course sides of the starting and finishing marks.
- E3.6
- General Recall
Rule 29.2 is changed to:
When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side of the starting line or to which rule 30 applies, or there has been an error in the starting procedure, the race committee may hail ‘General recall’ and make two loud sounds. The warning signal for a new start will normally be made shortly thereafter.
- E3.8
- Other Changes to the Rules of Part 3
- (a)
- Rules 30.2 and 33 are deleted.
- (b)
- All race committee signals shall be made orally or by other sounds. No visual signals are required unless specified in the sailing instructions.
- (c)
- Courses shall not be shortened.
- (d)
- Rule 32.1(a) is changed to: ‘because of foul weather or thunderstorms,’.
- E4.2
- Outside Help
Rule 41 is changed to:
A boat or the competitor controlling her shall not receive help from any outside source, except
- (a)
- help needed as a direct result of a competitor becoming ill, injured or in danger;
- (b)
- when the boat is entangled with another boat, help from the other competitor;
- (c)
- when the boat is disabled or in danger, help from the race committee;
- (d)
- help in the form of information freely available to all competitors;
- (e)
- unsolicited information from a disinterested source. A competitor is not a disinterested source unless acting as an observer.
- E4.3
- Taking a Penalty
Rule 44.1 is changed to:
A boat may take a One-Turn Penalty when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2, or rule 31, in an incident while racing. However,
- (a)
- when she may have broken a rule of Part 2 and rule 31 in the same incident she need not take the penalty for breaking rule 31;
- (b)
- if the boat gained an advantage in the heat or race by her breach despite taking a penalty, her penalty shall be additional One-Turn Penalties until her advantage is lost;
- (c)
- if the boat caused serious damage, or as a result of breaking a rule of Part 2 she caused another boat to become disabled and retire, her penalty shall be to retire.
- E5.1
- Observers
- (a)
- The race committee may appoint observers, who may be competitors.
- (b)
- Observers shall hail the sail numbers of boats that make contact with a mark or another boat.
- (c)
- At the end of a heat, observers shall report to the race committee all unresolved incidents, and any failure to sail the course.
- E6.1
- Protest Validity
- Rule 60.4(a)(2) is changed to:
- (a)
- A protest is invalid
- (2)
- if it is from a boat that alleges a breach of a rule of Part 2, 3 or 4, but was not scheduled to sail in the heat where the incident occurred, or
- (a)
- A protest is invalid
- (4)
- if it is from a boat or competitor and alleges a breach of rule E2 or E3.7.
- Rule 60.4(a)(2) is changed to:
- E6.2
- Protest for a Rule Broken by a Competitor
When a committee learns that a competitor may have broken a rule, it may protest the boat controlled by that competitor.
- E6.6
- Redress Decisions
- Rules 61.4(b)(2) and 61.4(b)(3) are changed to:
- (2)
- injury, physical damage or becoming disabled because of the action of a boat that was breaking a rule of Part 2 and took an appropriate penalty or was penalized,
- (3)
- injury, physical damage or becoming disabled because of the action of a vessel not racing that was required to keep clear or is determined to be at fault under the IRPCAS or a government right-of-way rule.
- Add new rule 61.4(b)(6):
- (6)
- external radio interference acknowledged by the race committee.
- Add to rule 61.4(c):
- If a boat is given redress because she was damaged, her redress shall include reasonable time, but not more than 30 minutes, to make repairs before her next heat.
- Rules 61.4(b)(2) and 61.4(b)(3) are changed to:
- E6.8
- Hearing Procedure
Add new rule 63.4(f):
(f) When the protest concerns an alleged breach of a rule of Part 2, 3 or 4, any witness shall have been in the control area at the time of the incident. A witness who is a competitor, and who was not acting as an observer, must also have been scheduled to race in the relevant heat.
- E7
- PENALTIES
When a protest committee decides that a boat that is a party to a protest hearing has broken a rule other than a rule of Part 2, 3 or 4, it shall either
- (a)
- disqualify her or add any number of points (including zero and fractions of points) to her score. The penalty shall be applied, if possible, to the heat or race in which the rule was broken; otherwise it shall be applied to the next heat or race for that boat. When points are added, the scores of other boats shall not be changed; or
- However, if the boat has broken a rule in Appendix G or rule E8, the protest committee shall act in accordance with rule G4.
- E8
- CHANGES TO APPENDIX G, INDENTIFICATION ON SAILS
Rule G1, except the table of National Sail Letters, and rule G2 are changed to:
- G1.1
- Identification
- (a)
- Unless her class rules state otherwise, a boat of a World Sailing or IRSA Class shall comply with rule G1 and shall carry:
- (1)
- on her mainsail, her class insignia and national letters (if required).
- (2)
- on all sails, her sail number.
- (b)
- Sails shall comply with rule E8 at world and continental championships. At other events, they shall comply with these rules or the rules applicable at the time of their initial certification.
- G1.2
- National Letters
At IRSA world and continental championships and events described as international events in their notices of race, a boat shall carry national letters from the table in Appendix G, rule G1 denoting:
- (a)
- when entered under rule 75(a), the boat’s national authority, or
Note: An up-to-date version of the National Sail Letters table is available on the World Sailing website.- (b)
- the competitor’s country of residence, or
-
- (c)
- the national authority of the owner or competitor.
- G1.3
- Sail Numbers
- (a)
- The sail number shall be the last two digits of:
- (1)
- the hull registration number, or
-
- (2)
- the competitor’s or the owner’s personal number allotted by the relevant issuing authority.
- (b)
- A single digit hull number or personal number shall be preceded by a zero.
-
- (c)
- If there is conflict between sail numbers, or if a sail number may be misread, the race committee shall require that the sail numbers of one or more boats be changed to numeric alternatives.
- G1.4
- Specifications
- (a)
- National letters and sail numbers shall be in capital letters and Arabic numerals, clearly legible and of the same colour. The colour shall contrast with the colour of the body of the sail. Commercially available typefaces giving the same or better legibility than Helvetica are acceptable. Digital fonts are not acceptable.
- (b)
- The height and spacing of letters and numbers shall be as follows:
-
- (a)
- Class insignia, sail numbers and national letters shall be positioned
- (1)
- on both sides of the sail;
- (2)
- with those on the starboard side uppermost;
- (3)
- approximately horizontally;
- (4)
- with space for a prefix ‘1’ in front of the sail number; and
However, symmetrical or reversed class insignia may be positioned back to back.- (5)
- with no less than 40 mm vertical spacing between lines of numbers and letters on opposite sides of the sail.
-
- (b)
- Symmetrical or reversed class insignia shall be on the mainsail, above a line perpendicular to the luff through the three-quarter leech point, and may be positioned back-to-back. Otherwise, the vertical spacing shall be no less than 20 mm.
-
- (c)
- On a mainsail, sail numbers shall be positioned
- (1)
- below class insignia;
- (2)
- above the line perpendicular to the luff through the quarter leech point;
- (3)
- above national letters;
- G1.6
- Exceptions
-
- Where the size of the sail prevents compliance with rule G1.4 or G1.5, they shall be amended as follows and in the following order of precedence:
-
- (a)
- sail numbers may extend below the specified line;
-
- (b)
- vertical spacing may be reduced to no less than 20 mm:
- (1)
- first between sail numbers and national letters, and
- (2)
- then between national letters;
-
- (c)
- height of national letters may be reduced to no less than 40 mm or shall be omitted;
-
- (d)
- vertical spacing of sail numbers may be reduced to no less than 20 mm;
-
- (e)
- height of sail numbers shall be reduced to less than 90 mm, but no less than 80 mm, or shall be omitted except on the largest sail.
- Where the size of the sail prevents compliance with rule G1.4 or G1.5, they shall be amended as follows and in the following order of precedence:
-
- Note: Links to kiteboard rules for some other formats or competitions can be found on the World Sailing website.
CHANGES TO THE DEFINITIONS
- The definitions Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap, Continuing Obstruction, Finish, Keep Clear, Leeward and Windward, Mark-Room, Obstruction, Start, Tack, Starboard or Port and Zone are changed to:
- Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap One kiteboard is clear astern of another when her hull is behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other kiteboard’s hull. The other kiteboard is clear ahead. They overlap when neither is clear astern. However, they also overlap when a kiteboard between them overlaps both. If there is reasonable doubt that two kiteboards are overlapped, it shall be presumed that they are not. These terms always apply to kiteboards on the same tack. They apply to kiteboards on opposite tacks only when both kiteboards are sailing more than ninety degrees from the true wind.
- Continuing Obstruction An obstruction is a continuing obstruction when a kiteboard will pass alongside it for at least 30 metres. However, the following are not a continuing obstruction: a vessel under way, a kiteboard racing, or a race committee vessel that is also a mark.
- Finish A kiteboard finishes when, after her starting signal, while the competitor is in contact with the hull, any part of her hull, or the competitor, crosses the finishing line from the course side. However, she has not finished if after crossing the finishing line she
- (a)
- takes a penalty under rule 44.2,
- (b)
- corrects an error in sailing the course made at the line, or
- (c)
- continues to sail the course.
- After finishing she need not cross the finishing line completely. The sailing instructions may change the direction in which kiteboards are required to cross the finishing line to finish.
- Keep Clear A kiteboard keeps clear of a right-of-way kiteboard
- (a)
- if the right-of-way kiteboard can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action and,
- (b)
- if the right-of-way kiteboard can also change course in both directions or move her kite in any direction without immediately making contact.
- Leeward and Windward A kiteboard’s leeward side is the side that is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. However, when sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her kite lies. The other side is her windward side. When two kiteboards on the same tack overlap, the one whose hull is on the leeward side of the other’s hull is the leeward kiteboard. The other is the windward kiteboard.
- Mark-Room Room for a kiteboard to sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail her proper course to round or pass the mark on the required side, and room to pass a finishing mark after finishing.
- Obstruction An obstruction is
- (a)
- an object that a kiteboard could not pass without substantially changing her course or the position of her kite, if she were sailing directly towards it and 10 metres from it;
-
- (b)
- an object that can be safely passed on only one side; or
-
- (c)
- an object, area or line that is so designated in a rule.
-
- However, a kiteboard racing is not an obstruction to other kiteboards unless they are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22 applies, avoid her.
- Start A kiteboard starts when, her hull and the competitor having been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her starting signal, any part of her hull or the competitor crosses the starting line from the pre-start side to the course side.
- Tack, Starboard or Port A kiteboard is on the tack, starboard or port, corresponding to the competitor’s hand that would be forward if the competitor were in normal riding position (riding heel side with both hands on the control bar and arms not crossed). A kiteboard is on starboard tack when the competitor’s right hand would be forward and is on the port tack when the competitor’s left hand would be forward.
- Zone The area around a mark within a distance of 30 metres. A kiteboard is in the zone when any part of her hull is in the zone.
- Add the following definitions:
Capsized A kiteboard is capsized if
- (a)
- her kite is in the water, or
- (b)
- her lines are tangled with another kiteboard’s lines.
- Jumping A kiteboard is jumping when her hull, its appendages and the competitor are clear of the water.
- Recovering
- (a)
- A kiteboard is recovering from the time she loses steerage way until she regains it, unless she is capsized.
- (b)
- A kiteboard is recovering from the time her kite is out of the water until she has steerage way.
- F2
- CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 2
PART 2 – PREAMBLE
- In the second sentence of the preamble, ‘injury or serious damage’ is changed to ‘injury, serious damage or a tangle’.
- 16.2
- In addition, on a beat to windward when a port-tack kiteboard is keeping clear by sailing to pass to leeward of a starboard-tack kiteboard, the starboard-tack kiteboard shall not bear away or change the position of her kite if as a result the port-tack kiteboard must change course or the position of her kite immediately to continue keeping clear.
- 18.1
- When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18 applies between kiteboards when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply
- (a)
- between kiteboards that are on opposite tacks when the first kiteboard reaches the zone; or
Rule 18 no longer applies between kiteboards when mark-room has been given.- (b)
- between a kiteboard approaching a mark and one leaving it.
- 18.2
- Giving Mark-Room
-
- (a)
- When the first of two kiteboards reaches the zone,
- (1)
- if the kiteboards are overlapped, the outside kiteboard at that moment shall give the inside kiteboard mark-room.
- (2)
- if the kiteboards are not overlapped, the kiteboard that has not reached the zone shall give mark-room.
- When a kiteboard is required to give mark-room by this rule, she shall continue to do so for as long as this rule applies, even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.
- (b)
- Rule 18.2(a) no longer applies if either kiteboard referred to in this rule changes tack.
- (c)
- If the kiteboard entitled to mark-room leaves the zone, the entitlement to mark-room ceases and rule 18.2(a) is applied again if required based on the relationship of the kiteboards at the time rule 18.2(a) is re-applied.
-
- 18.3
- Changing Tack in the Zone
When an inside overlapped right-of-way kiteboard must change tack at a mark to sail her proper course, until she changes tack she shall sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail that course if by so doing she affects the course of another kiteboard. Rule 18.3 does not apply at a gate mark or a finishing mark.
- 19
- ROOM TO PASS AN OBSTRUCTION
Rule 19.2(a) is changed to:
- (a)
- A right-of-way kiteboard may choose to pass an obstruction on her port or starboard side. If a right-of-way kiteboard changes course or the position of her kite when choosing on which side to pass the obstruction, she shall give the other kiteboard room to keep clear.
SECTION D — PREAMBLE
- The preamble to Section D is changed to:
When rule 21 or 22 applies between two kiteboards, Section A and C rules do not.
- F3
- CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 3
- 26
- STARTING RACES
Rule 26 is changed to:
Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
Minutes before starting signal Visual signal Sound
signalMeans 3 Class flag One Warning signal 2 U or black flag One Preparatory signal 1 U or black flag removed One long One minute 0 Class flag removed One Starting signal
- F4
- CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 4
- 42.2
- Exceptions
- (a)
- A kiteboard may be propelled by unassisted actions of the competitor on the kiteboard.
- (b)
- A competitor may swim, walk or paddle while capsized or recovering, provided that the kiteboard does not gain a significant advantage in the race.
- (c)
- Any means of propulsion may be used to help a person or another vessel in danger.
- 43
- EXONERATION
Rule 43.1(c) is changed to:
Add new rule 43.1(d):- (c)
- A right-of-way kiteboard, or one sailing within the room or mark-room to which she is entitled, is exonerated for breaking rule 14 if the contact does not cause damage, injury or a tangle.
- (d)
- When a kiteboard breaks rule 15 and there is no contact, she is exonerated for her breach.
- 44.1
- Taking a Penalty
A kiteboard may take a One-Turn Penalty when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 or rule 31 in an incident while racing. Alternatively, the notice of race or sailing instructions may specify the use of the Scoring Penalty or some other penalty, in which case the specified penalty shall replace the One-Turn Penalty. However,
- (a)
- when a kiteboard may have broken a rule of Part 2 and rule 31 in the same incident she need not take the penalty for breaking rule 31; and
- (b)
- if the kiteboard caused injury,serious damage or a tangle or, despite taking a penalty, gained a significant advantage or caused significant disadvantage to the other kiteboard in the race or series by her breach, her penalty shall be to retire.
- 44.2
- One-Turn Penalty
After getting well clear of other kiteboards as soon after the incident as possible, a kiteboard takes a One-Turn Penalty by promptly making a 360° turn with her hull appendage in the water with no requirement for a tack or a gybe. When a kiteboard takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, her hull and competitor shall be completely on the course side of the line before she finishes.
- 50
- COMPETITOR CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Rule 50.1(a) is changed to:
- (a)
- Competitors shall not wear or carry clothing or equipment for the purpose of increasing their weight. However, a competitor may wear a drinking container that shall have a capacity of at least one litre and weigh no more than 1.5 kilograms when full.
PART 4 RULES DELETED
- Rules 45, 48.2, 49, 50.2, 51, 52, 54, 55 and 56.1 are deleted.
- F5
- CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 5
- 60
- PROTESTS
-
- 60.2
- Intention to Protest
Rules 60.2(a), 60.2(b) and 60.2(c) are changed to:
-
- (a)
- If a protest concerns an incident observed by the protestor in the racing area:
- (1)
- If the protestor is a kiteboard, she shall hail ‘Protest’ at the first reasonable opportunity.
- (2)
- If the protestor is a committee, it shall inform the kiteboard after the race within the protest time limit of its intention to protest her.
- (b)
- However, if
- (1)
- the protestee is not within hailing distance at the time of the incident,
- (2)
- the incident was an error in sailing the course,
-
-
- (3)
- the incident was not observed by the protestor in the racing area, or
- (4)
- a protest committee decides to protest a kiteboard under rule 60.4(c),
-
- then the only requirement for the protestor is to inform the protestee of its intention to protest at the first reasonable opportunity.
- (c)
- If at the time of the incident it is obvious to a protesting kiteboard that a member of either crew is in danger, or that injury, serious damage or a tangle has resulted, rules 60.2(a) and 60.2(b) do not apply to her, but she shall attempt to inform the other kiteboard within the protest time limit of her intention to protest.
-
- 60.5
- Protest Decisions
- Rules 60.5(d)(1) and 60.5(d)(2) are changed to:
-
- (d)
- If the protest committee decides that a kiteboard has deviations in excess of acceptable manufacturing tolerances:
- (1)
- The kiteboard shall not be penalized if any deviations in excess of tolerances specified were caused by damage or normal wear and they did not improve the performance of the kiteboard.
- (2)
- However, the kiteboard shall not race again until any such deviations have been corrected unless the protest committee decides there is, or has been, no reasonable opportunity to do so.
-
-
- (e)
- If the protest committee decides that a kiteboard has broken a rule and is not exonerated and, as a result, caused a tangle for the second or subsequent time during the event, her penalty shall be a disqualification that is not excludable.
- Rules 60.5(d)(1) and 60.5(d)(2) are changed to:
- 63
- CONDUCT OF HEARINGS
-
- 63.5
- Decisions
Rule 63.5(d) is changed to:
- (d)
- When the protest committee is in doubt about any matter concerning the measurement of a kiteboard, the interpretation of a class rule, or a matter involving damage to a kiteboard, it shall refer its questions, together with the relevant facts, to an authority responsible for interpreting the rule. In making its decision, the committee shall be bound by the reply of the authority.
- Add new rule 63.8:
- 63.8
- Hearing Procedure for an Elimination Series
For a race of an elimination series that will qualify a kiteboard to compete in a later stage of an event:
- (a)
- Rules 60.3(a) and (b), 61.2(a), 63.6(b) are deleted.
-
- (b)
- Rule 63.4 is changed to:
Protests and requests for redress need not be in writing; they shall be made orally to a member of the protest committee as soon as reasonably possible following the race. The protest committee may take evidence in any way it considers appropriate and may communicate its decision orally.
- F8
- CHANGES TO APPENDIX A
- A1
- NUMBER OF RACES; OVERALL SCORES
Rule A1 is changed to:
The number of races scheduled and the number required to be scored to constitute a series shall be stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions. If an event includes more than one discipline or format, the notice of race or sailing instructions shall state how the overall scores are to be calculated; see rule 90.3(a).
- F9
- CHANGES TO APPENDIX G
Appendix G is changed to:
Appendix G – Identification
- G1
- Every kiteboard shall be identified as follows:
- (a)
- Each competitor shall be provided with and wear a bib with a personal competition number of no more than three digits. The bib shall be worn as intended with the competition number clearly displayed.
- (b)
- The numbers shall be displayed as high as possible on the front, back and sleeves of the bib. They should be at least 20 cm tall on the back and at least 6 cm tall on the front and the sleeves.
- (c)
- The numbers shall be Arabic numerals, all of the same solid colour, clearly legible and in a commercially available typeface giving the same or better legibility as Helvetica. The colour of the numbers shall contrast with the colour of the bib.
- G1.1
- Identification
Every boat of a World Sailing Class shall carry on her mainsail and, as provided in rule G1.3(c) for letters and numbers only, on her spinnaker and headsail
- (a)
- the insignia denoting her class;
- (b)
- at all international events, except when the boats are provided to all competitors, national letters denoting her national authority from the table below. For the purposes of this rule, international events are World Sailing events, world and continental championships, and events described as international events in their notices of race; and
- (c)
- a sail number of no more than four digits allotted by her national authority or, when so required by the class rules, by the class association. The four-digit limitation does not apply to classes whose World Sailing membership or recognition took effect before 1 April 1997. Alternatively, if permitted in the class rules, an owner may be allotted a personal sail number by the relevant issuing authority, which may be used on all the owner's boats in that class.
-
- Sails measured before 31 March 1999 shall comply with rule G1.1 or with the rules applicable at the time of measurement.
Note: An up-to-date version of the table below is available on the World Sailing website.
- Sails measured before 31 March 1999 shall comply with rule G1.1 or with the rules applicable at the time of measurement.
- NATIONAL SAIL LETTERS
National authority Letters National authority Letters Algeria ALG Libya LBA American Samoa ASA Liechtenstein LIE Andorra AND Lithuania LTU Angola ANG Luxembourg LUX Antigua ANT Macau, China MAC Argentina ARG Madagascar MAD Armenia ARM Malaysia MAS Aruba ARU Malta MLT Australia AUS Mauritius MRI Austria AUT Mexico MEX Azerbaijan AZE Moldova MDA Bahamas BAH Monaco MON Bahrain BRN Montenegro MNE Barbados BAR Montserrat MNT Belarus BLR Morocco MAR Belgium BEL Mozambique MOZ Belize BIZ Myanmar MYA Bermuda BER Namibia NAM Bolivia BOL Netherlands NED Botswana BOT Netherlands Antilles AHO Brazil BRA New Zealand NZL British Virgin Islands IVB Nigeria NGR Brunei BRU North Macedonia MKD Bulgaria BUL Norway NOR Cambodia CAM Oman OMA Canada CAN Pakistan PAK Cayman Islands CAY Palestine PLE Chile CHI Panama PAN China, PR CHN Papua New Guinea PNG Chinese Taipei TPE Paraguay PAR Colombia COL Peru PER Cook Islands COK Philippines PHI Croatia CRO Poland POL Cuba CUB Portugal POR Cyprus CYP Puerto Rico PUR Czechia CZE Qatar QAT Denmark DEN Romania ROU Djibouti DJI Russia RUS Dominican Republic DOM Samoa SAM Ecuador ECU San Marino SMR Egypt EGY Senegal SEN El Salvador ESA Serbia SRB Estonia EST Seychelles SEY Fiji FIJ Singapore SGP Finland FIN Slovak Republic SVK France FRA Slovenia SLO Georgia GEO Solomon Islands SOL Germany GER South Africa RSA Great Britain GBR Spain ESP Greece GRE Sri Lanka SRI Grenada GRN St. Kitts & Nevis SKN Guam GUM St. Lucia LCA Guatemala GUA St Vincent & Grenadines VIN Hong Kong, China HKG Sudan SUD Hungary HUN Sweden SWE Iceland ISL Switzerland SUI India IND Tahiti TAH Indonesia INA Tajikistan TJK Iran IRI Tanzania TAN Iraq IRQ Thailand THA Ireland IRL Timor Leste TLS Israel ISR Tonga TGA Italy ITA Trinidad & Tobago TTO Jamaica JAM Tunisia TUN Japan JPN Turkey TUR Jordan JOR Turks & Caicos TCA Kazakhstan KAZ Uganda UGA Kenya KEN Ukraine UKR Korea, DPR PRK United Arab Emirates UAE Korea, Republic of KOR United States of America USA Kosovo KOS Uruguay URU Kuwait KUW US Virgin Islands ISV Kyrgyzstan KGZ Vanuatu VAN Latvia LAT Venezuela VEN Lebanon LIB Vietnam VIE Zimbabwe ZIM
- G1.2
- Specifications
- (a)
- National letters and sail numbers shall be:
- (1)
- in capital letters and Arabic numerals,
- (2)
- of the same colour,
- (3)
- of a contrasting colour to the body of the sail, and
In addition, the letters and numbers identifying the boat shall be clearly legible when the sail is set.- (4)
- of a sans-serif typeface.
- (b)
- The height of characters and space between adjoining characters on the same and opposite sides of the sail shall be related to the boat’s overall length as follows:
Overall length Minimum height Minimum space
between characters
and from edge of sailUnder 3.5 m 230 mm 45 mm 3.5 m - 8.5 m 300 mm 60 mm 8.5 m - 11 m 375 mm 75 mm Over 11 m 450 mm 90 mm
- G1.3
- Positioning
Class insignia, national letters and sail numbers shall be positioned as follows:
- (a)
- General
- (1)
- Class insignia, national letters and sail numbers, where applicable, shall be placed on both sides and such that those on the starboard side are uppermost.
- (2)
- National letters shall be placed above the sail numbers on each side of the sail.
- (b)
- Mainsails
- (1)
- The class insignia, national letters and sail numbers shall, if possible, be wholly above an arc whose centre is the head point and whose radius is 60% of the leech length.
- (2)
- The class insignia shall be placed above the national letters. If the class insignia is of a design that it may be placed back to back, then it may be so placed.
- (c)
- Headsails and Spinnakers
- (1)
- National letters and sail numbers are only required on a headsail whose foot length is greater than 1.3 x foretriangle base.
- (2)
- The national letters and sail numbers of headsails shall be displayed wholly below an arc whose centre is the head point and whose radius is 50% of the luff length and, if possible, wholly above an arc whose radius is 75% of the luff length.
- (3)
- The national letters and sail number shall be displayed on the front side of a spinnaker but may be placed on both sides. They shall be displayed wholly below an arc whose centre is the head point and whose radius is 40% of the foot median and, if possible, wholly above an arc whose radius is 60% of the foot median.
- G2
- OTHER BOATS
Other boats shall comply with the rules of their national authority or class association in regard to the allotment, carrying and size of insignia, letters and numbers. Such rules shall, when practicable, conform to the above requirements.
US Sailing prescribes that unless otherwise stated in her class rules, the sails of a boat that is not in a World Sailing Class shall comply with rule G1. However, offshore racing boats not in a class that is subject to rule G1 shall carry numbers allotted by US Sailing on mainsails, spinnakers and each overlapping headsail having a luff-perpendicular measurement exceeding 130% of the base of the foretriangle. This rule applies only to a boat whose owner’s national authority is US Sailing. Go to ussailing.org/rules and click the ‘Sail Numbering System’ link for the full text of the Sail Numbering System for offshore racing boats in the United States and for an application for a sail number.
See rule 50. This appendix shall not be changed by the notice of race, sailing instructions or prescriptions of national authorities.
- H1
- Items of clothing and equipment to be weighed shall be arranged on a rack. After being saturated in fresh water the items shall be allowed to drain freely for one minute before being weighed. The rack must allow the items to hang as they would hang from clothes hangers, so as to allow the water to drain freely. Pockets that have drain-holes that cannot be closed shall be empty, but pockets or items that can hold water shall be full.
See rules 89.2 and 90.2. In this appendix, the term ‘event’ includes a race or series of races.
A rule in the notice of race need not be repeated in the sailing instructions.
Care should be taken to ensure that there is no conflict between rules in the notice of race, the sailing instructions or any other document that governs the event.
- J1.2
-
The notice of race shall include any of the following that will apply:
- (4)
- categorization or classification requirements that some or all competitors must satisfy;
- (a)
- for sailor categorization (see rule 79 and the World Sailing Sailor Categorization Code), or
- (b)
- for functional classification for Para World Sailing events (see World Sailing Para Classification Rules);
- J1.3
- The notice of race shall include any of the following that will apply and that would help competitors decide whether to attend the event or that conveys other information they will need before the sailing instructions become available:
-
- (5)
- the scoring system, if different from the system in Appendix A, included by reference to class rules or other rules governing the event, or stated in full. State the number of races scheduled and the minimum number that must be scored to constitute a series (see rule A1). If appropriate, for a series where the number of starters may vary substantially, state that rule A5.3 applies;
-
This appendix is advisory only; in some circumstances changing these procedures may be advisable. It is addressed primarily to the protest committee chair but may also help judges, protest committee secretaries, race committees and others connected with protest and redress hearings.
In a hearing, the protest committee should weigh all testimony with equal care; should recognize that honest testimony can vary, and even be in conflict, as a result of different observations and recollections; should resolve such differences as best it can; should recognize that no boat or competitor is guilty until a breach of a rule has been established to the satisfaction of the protest committee; and should keep an open mind until all the evidence has been heard as to whether a boat or competitor has broken a rule.
- M2.1
-
Make sure that
- (a)
- each party has the opportunity to read the protest, request for redress or allegation and has had reasonable time to prepare for the hearing (rules 63.1(a)(2) and 63.1(a)(3)).
- (b)
- only one person from each party is present unless an interpreter is needed (rule 63.1(a)(4)).
- (c)
- all boats and people involved are represented. If they are not, however, the committee may proceed under rule 63.1(b).
- (d)
- boats’ representatives were on board when required (rule 63.1(a)(4)).
-
- (e)
- when the parties were in different events, both organizing authorities accept the composition of the protest committee (rule 63.2(e)).
- (f)
- in a protest concerning class rules, obtain the current class rules and identify the authority responsible for interpreting them (rule 63.5(d)).
- M2.3
- Assess conflicts of interest.
- (a)
- Ensure that all protest committee members declare any possible conflicts of interest. At major events this will often be a formal written declaration made before the event starts that will be kept with the protest committee records.
- (b)
- At the start of any hearing, ensure that the parties are aware of any conflicts of interest of protest committee members. Ask the parties if they consent to the members. If a party does not object as soon as possible after a conflict of interest has been declared, the protest committee may take this as consent to proceed and should record it.
- (c)
- If a party objects to a member, the remainder of the protest committee members need to assess whether the conflict of interest is significant. The assessment will consider the level of the event, the level of the conflict and the perception of fairness. It may be acceptable to balance conflicts between protest committee members. Guidance may be found on the World Sailing website. Record the decision and the grounds for that decision.
- (d)
- In cases of doubt it may be preferable to proceed with a smaller protest committee. Except for hearings under rule 69, there is no minimum number of protest committee members required.
- (e)
- When a request for redress is made under rule 61.4(b)(1) and is based on an improper action or improper omission of a body other than the protest committee, a member of that body should not be a member of the protest committee.
- M3.1
- Check that the protest or request is valid.
- (a)
- Are the contents adequate (rule 60.3(a), 61.2(a) or 63.7(b))?
- (b)
- Was it delivered in time? If not, is there good reason to extend the time limit (rule 60.3(b), 61.2(b) or 63.7(b))?
- (c)
- When required, was the protestor involved in or a witness to the incident (rule 60.4(a)(2))?
- (d)
- When necessary, was ‘Protest’ hailed and, if required, a red flag displayed correctly (rule 60.2(a)(1))?
- (e)
- When the flag or hail was not necessary, was the protestee informed (rule 60.2(b))?
- (f)
- Decide whether the protest or request for redress is valid (rule 63.4(a)).
- (g)
- Once the validity of the protest or request has been determined, do not let the subject be introduced again unless truly new evidence is available.
- M3.2
- Take the evidence (rule 63.4).
-
- (a)
- Ask the parties to tell their stories. Then allow them to question one another. In a redress matter, ask the party to state the request.
- (b)
- Make sure you know what facts each party is alleging before calling any witnesses. Their stories may be different.
- (c)
- Allow anyone, including a boat’s crew, to give evidence. It is the party who normally decides which witnesses to call, although the protest committee may also call witnesses (rule 63.4(b)). The question asked by a party ‘Would you like to hear N?’ is best answered by ‘It is your choice.’
- (d)
- Call each party’s witnesses (and the protest committee’s if any) one by one. Limit parties to questioning the witness(es). (They may wander into general statements.)
- (e)
- Invite the protestee to question the protestor’s witness first (and vice versa). This prevents the protestor from leading the witness from the beginning.
- (f)
- Allow members of the protest committee who saw the incident to give evidence (rule 63.4(d)). Members who give evidence may be questioned, should take care to relate all they know about the incident that could affect the decision, and may remain on the protest committee (rule 63.4(e)).
- (g)
- Try to prevent leading questions, but if that is impossible discount the evidence so obtained.
- (h)
- The protest committee chair should advise a party or a witness giving hearsay, repetitive or irrelevant evidence that the protest committee must give such evidence appropriate weight, which may be little or no weight at all (rules 63.4(b) and 63.5(a)).
- (i)
- Ask one member of the committee to note down evidence, particularly times, distances, speeds, etc.
- (j)
- Invite questions from protest committee members..
- (k)
- Invite each party, starting with the party that requested the hearing, to make a final statement of her case, particularly on any application or interpretation of the rules.
-
- M3.3
- Find the facts (rule 63.5(a)).
- (a)
- Write down the facts; resolve doubts one way or the other.
- (b)
- Call back parties for more questions if necessary.
- (c)
- When appropriate, draw a diagram of the incident using the facts you have found.
- M3.5
- Inform the parties (rule 63.6).
- (a)
- Recall the parties and read them the facts found, conclusions and rules that apply, and the decision. When time presses it is permissible to read the decision and give the details later.
- (b)
- Give any party a copy of the decision on request. File the protest or request for redress with the committee records.
- M4.1
- When a party, within the time limit, has asked for a hearing to be reopened, hear the party making the request, look at any video, etc., and decide whether there is any significant new evidence that might lead you to change your decision. Decide whether your interpretation of the rules may have been wrong; be open-minded as to whether you have made a mistake. If none of these applies refuse to reopen; otherwise schedule a hearing.
- M4.2
- Evidence is ‘new’
- (a)
- if it was not reasonably possible for the party asking for the reopening to have discovered the evidence before the original hearing,
- (b)
- if the protest committee is satisfied that before the original hearing the evidence was diligently but unsuccessfully sought by the party asking for the reopening, or
- (c)
- if the protest committee learns from any source that the evidence was not available to the parties at the time of the original hearing.
- M5
- DISCRETIONARY PENALTIES (rule 64)
Rule 64 enables a boat that has broken a rule subject to a discretionary penalty to comply with Sportsmanship and the Rules by reporting within the protest time limit that she has broken the rule. If the report does not include sufficient facts for the protest committee to decide what penalty to impose, the committee may question a representative of the boat and any witnesses to collect evidence it decides is appropriate. It is not necessary to conduct a hearing to collect this evidence. Note that guidelines for discretionary penalties may be found on the World Sailing website.
- M6.1
- An action under this rule is not a protest, but the protest committee gives its allegations in writing to the competitor before the hearing. The hearing is conducted under rule 63, but the protest committee must have at least three members (rule 69.2(a)). Use the greatest care to protect the competitor’s rights.
- M6.3
- Unless World Sailing has appointed a person for the role, the protest committee may appoint a person to present the allegation. This person might be a race official, the person making the allegation or other appropriate person. When no reasonable alternative person is available, a person who was appointed as a member of the protest committee may present the allegation.
- M6.6
- When a protest committee upholds a rule 69 allegation it will need to consider if it is appropriate to report to either a national authority or World Sailing. Guidance on when to report may be found in the World Sailing Case Book. When the protest committee does make a report, it may recommend whether or not further action should be taken.
- M7
- APPEALS (rule 70 and Appendix R)
When decisions can be appealed,
- (a)
- retain the papers relevant to the hearing so that the information can easily be used for an appeal. Is there a diagram endorsed or prepared by the protest committee? Are the facts found sufficient? (Example: Was there an overlap? Yes or No. ‘Perhaps’ is not a fact found.) Are the names of the protest committee members and other important information on the form?
- (b)
- comments by the protest committee on any appeal should enable the appeals committee to picture the whole incident clearly; the appeals committee knows nothing about the situation.
- M8
-
PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCEPhotographs and videos can sometimes provide useful evidence but protest committees should recognize their limitations and note the following points:
- (a)
- The party producing the photographic evidence is responsible for arranging the viewing.
- (b)
- View the video several times to extract all the information from it.
- (c)
- The depth perception of any single-lens camera is very poor; with a telephoto lens it is non-existent. When the camera views two overlapped boats at right angles to their course, it is impossible to assess the distance between them. When the camera views them head on, it is impossible to see whether an overlap exists unless it is substantial.
- (d)
- Ask the following questions:
- (1)
- Where was the camera in relation to the boats?
- (2)
- Was the camera’s platform moving? If so in what direction and how fast?
- (3)
- Is the angle changing as the boats approach the critical point? Fast panning causes radical change.
- (4)
- Did the camera have an unrestricted view throughout?
See rules 70.3(a) and 91(b). This appendix shall not be changed by the notice of race, sailing instructions or national prescriptions.
- N1.1
- An international jury shall be composed of experienced sailors with excellent knowledge of the racing rules and extensive protest committee experience. It shall be independent of and have no members from the race committee or the technical committee, and it shall be appointed by the organizing authority, subject to approval by the national authority if required (see rule 91(b)), or by World Sailing under rule 89.2(c).
- N1.4
-
- (b)
- The chair of a jury may appoint panels of at least three members each, of which the majority shall be International Judges. Members of each panel shall be from at least three different national authorities except in Groups M, N and Q, where they shall be from at least two different national authorities. If dissatisfied with a panel’s decision, a party is entitled to a hearing by a panel composed in compliance with rules N1.1, N1.2 and N1.3, except concerning the facts found, if requested within 30 minutes, or the time limit specified in the sailing instructions, after being informed of the decision.
- N1.5
- When a full jury, or a panel, has fewer than five members, because of illness or emergency, and no qualified replacements are available, it remains properly constituted if it consists of at least three members and if at least two of them are International Judges. When there are three or four members they shall be from at least three different national authorities except in Groups M, N and Q, where they shall be from at least two different national authorities.
- N1.6
- When it is considered desirable that some members not participate in discussing and deciding a protest or request for redress, and no qualified replacements are available, the jury or panel remains properly constituted if at least three members remain and at least two of them are International Judges.
- N1.7
- In exception to rules N1.1 and N1.2, World Sailing may in limited circumstances authorize an international jury consisting of a total of only three members. All members shall be International Judges. The members shall be from three different national authorities (two, in Groups M, N and Q). The authorization shall be stated in a letter of approval to the organizing authority and in the notice of race or sailing instructions, and the letter shall be posted on the official notice board.
- N2.1
- An international jury is responsible for hearing and deciding all protests, requests for redress and other matters arising under the rules of Part 5. When asked by the organizing authority, the race committee or the technical committee, it shall advise and assist them on any matter directly affecting the fairness of the competition.
- N3.1
- Members shall not be regarded as having a significant conflict of interest (see rule 63.3) by reason of their nationality, club membership or similar. When otherwise considering a significant conflict of interest as required by rule 63.3, considerable weight must be given to the fact that decisions of an international jury cannot be appealed and this may affect the perception of fairness and lower the level of conflict that is significant. In case of doubt, the hearing should proceed as permitted by rule N1.6.
- N4.2
- A person shall be responsible for presenting to the hearing panel any allegations of misconduct under rule 69. This person shall not be a member of the hearing panel but may be a member of the jury. Such a person shall be required to make full disclosure of all material gathered in the course of the investigation to the person subject to allegations of a breach of rule 69.
All or part of this appendix applies only if the notice of race or sailing instructions so state.
- P1.2
- If an observer appointed under rule P1.1 decides that a boat has broken rule 42, the boat may be penalized by, as soon as reasonably possible making a sound signal, pointing a yellow flag at her, and clearly identifying her by hailing, even if she is no longer racing. A boat so penalized shall not be penalized a second time under rule 42 for the same incident.
- P2.3
- Third and Subsequent Penalties
When a boat is penalized a third or subsequent time during the event, she shall promptly retire. If she does so her penalty shall be disqualification without a hearing and her score shall not be excluded. If she fails to do so her penalty shall be disqualification without a hearing from all races in the event, with no score excluded, and the protest committee shall consider calling a hearing under rule 69.2.
- If a boat has been penalized under rule P1.2 and the race committee signals a postponement, general recall or abandonment, the penalty is cancelled, but it is still counted to determine the number of times she has been penalized during the event.
- P5.2
- Before the Starting Signal
- (b)
- If the wind speed becomes less than the specified limit after flag O has been displayed, the race committee may postpone the race. Then, before or with a new warning signal, the committee shall display either flag R, to signal that rule 42 as changed by the class rules applies, or flag O, as provided in rule P5.2(a).
- See rules 70, 71 and 72. This appendix replaces Appendix R as adopted by World Sailing for the purpose of creating a two-level appeals system. This appendix shall not be changed by the notice of race or sailing instructions.
The US Sailing Appeals Committee acts as the national authority under rules 70, 71 and 72.
Appeals, requests by protest and association appeals committees for confirmation or correction of their decisions, and requests for interpretations of the rules shall be made in compliance with this appendix.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the appeals system and their answers, including advice on how to prepare an appeal, can be found on the US Sailing website. Go to ussailing.org/appeals and click the ‘Appeals FAQ’ link.
- R1.1
-
- (a)
- To appeal the decision or the procedures of a protest committee or an association appeals committee, no later than 15 days after receiving the written decision being appealed or a protest committee’s decision not to reopen a hearing, the appellant shall send an appeal and a copy of the decision being appealed to US Sailing. The appeal shall state why the appellant believes that committee’s decision or its procedures were incorrect;
-
- (b)
- To appeal when the hearing required by rule 63.2(a) has not been held within 30 days after a protest or request for redress was delivered, the appellant shall, within a further 15 days, send an appeal with a copy of the protest or request and any relevant correspondence. The appeals committee to which the appeal is forwarded shall extend the time if there is good reason to do so; or
-
- (c)
- To appeal when the protest committee fails to comply with rule 63.6(b), the appellant shall, within a reasonable time after the hearing, send an appeal with a copy of the protest or request and any relevant correspondence. If a copy of the protest or request is not available, the appellant shall instead send a statement of its substance.
- R1.2
- The appellant shall also submit online the Appeals & Requests Information Form, either within the 15 day time limit in rule R1.1(a) or soon thereafter. To find the form, go to ussailing.org/appeals and click the ‘Appeals & Requests Information Form’ link. The form requests all of the following documents and information available:
-
-
- (a)
- the written protest(s) or request(s) for redress;
- (b)
- if the appeal is from a decision of an association appeals committee, the written decision of the protest committee and the appeal to the association appeals committee;
-
- (c)
- a diagram, prepared or endorsed by the protest committee, that shows:
- (1)
- the positions of all boats involved at relevant times, and their tracks;
-
- (2)
- the course to the next mark and its required side;
-
- (3)
- the speed and direction of the wind;
-
- (4)
- any relevant mark, obstruction or zone; and
-
- (5)
- if relevant, the depth of the water and the speed and direction of any current;
-
- (d)
- the notice of race, sailing instructions, any other documents governing the event, and any changes to them;
-
- (e)
- the names, postal addresses and email addresses of the parties to the hearing, the chair of the protest committee and, if relevant, the chair of the association appeals committee; and
- (f)
- any other relevant documents.
-
- R1.4
-
To request an interpretation of the rules, a club or other organization affiliated to US Sailing shall send its request to US Sailing (see rule 72). The request shall include assumed facts and be endorsed by an officer of the club or organization. A US Sailing committee is considered to be an organization affiliated to US Sailing.
- R2.2
- Except as provided in rule R2.4, the Director will forward an appeal under rule 70.1, or a request by a protest committee for confirmation or correction of its decision under rule 70.2, to
- (b)
- the association appeals committee for the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) or the Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA) for an event conducted under the procedural rules of the ICSA or ISSA.
- However, a different association appeals committee may be substituted if there is good reason to do so.
- R2.4
- The director will forward to the US Sailing Appeals Committee an appeal under rule 70.1 or a request by a protest committee under rule 70.2 if the appeal or request arose from:
-
-
-
- (a)
- a decision made under rule 69.2,
- (b)
- a US Sailing national championship,
-
- (c)
- an event where the expedited appeals process referred to in rule R8 applies, or
-
- (d)
- a race that either started or finished outside of US waters (see rule 70.4).
-
-
- R3
- FEES
- R3.1
- If the appeal or request is being made to an association appeals committee, US Sailing charges no fee for forwarding that appeal or request. However, an association appeals committee may charge a fee, in which case the association appeals committee will send a notice to the appellant (or, for a request, to the protest committee) stating the fee, to whom the fee is payable, and the address to which the fee must be sent.
- R3.4
- If a fee is required for an appeal, it must be received before the appeal will be considered. For appeals made to the US Sailing Appeals Committee, the fee can be paid by check to ‘US Sailing’ or electronically at ussailing.org/appealfee.
- Upon receipt of an appeal, the appeals committee shall send a copy of the appeal to the committee whose decision is being appealed, asking it for any documents required by rule R1.2 not supplied by the appellant.
- R5.1
- Protest Committee
A protest committee whose decision is being appealed shall supply the documents requested under rule R4 and any facts or other information requested under rule R5.4. If directed to do so by the appeals committee, it shall conduct a hearing, or reopen the hearing, of the protest or request for redress, or conduct a hearing to consider redress.
- R5.3
- US Sailing Appeals Committee
The US Sailing Appeals Committee shall send to all parties to the hearing, to the protest committee and to the association appeals committee whose decision is being appealed or reviewed, copies of all relevant documents, comments and clarifications it has received, except those supplied by that party or committee.
- R5.4
- Facts and Other Information
- (b)
- When an appeals committee decides that the facts found by the protest committee are inadequate, or that it needs other information, the appeals committee shall require the protest committee to
- (1)
- provide additional facts or information, or
- (2)
- reopen the hearing and report any new facts or information.
- The protest committee shall promptly do so and respond in writing.
- R6
- COMMENTS
The parties to the hearing, the protest committee and, if relevant, the association appeals committee may make comments on the appeal or request, on any of the documents listed in rule R1.2, and on any clarifications received under rule R7.2(d). Comments shall be sent in writing to the appeals committee no later than 15 days after the party or committee receives the document. The appeals committee need not consider comments sent after that time or comments on comments.
- R8
- EXPEDITED APPEALS
An expedited appeals process, which can only be used at NGB (National Governing Body) Qualifying Competitions or US Sailing Selection Competitions (see US Sailing Regulation 12.02 and 12.03), can be found on the US Sailing website. Go to ussailing.org/rules and click the ‘Expedited Appeals’ link.
This appendix applies only if the notice of race so states.
These Standard Sailing Instructions may be used at an event in place of printed sailing instructions made available to each boat. To use them, state in the notice of race that ‘The sailing instructions will consist of the instructions in RRS Appendix S, Standard Sailing Instructions, and supplementary sailing instructions that will be posted on the official notice board located at _____.’
The supplementary sailing instructions will include:
- The location of the race office and of the flag pole on which signals made ashore will be displayed (see SI 4.1 below).
- A table showing the schedule of races, including the day and date of each scheduled day of racing, the number of races scheduled each day, the scheduled time of the first warning signal each day, and the latest time for a warning signal on the last scheduled day of racing (SI 5).
- A list of the marks that will be used and a description of each one (SI 8). How new marks will differ from original marks (SI 10).
- The time limits, if any, that are listed in SI 12.
- Any changes or additions to the instructions in this appendix.
A copy of the supplementary sailing instructions will be available to competitors on request.
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
- 1
- RULES
- 1.1
- The event will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
- 2
- NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
- 2.1
- Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board.
- 2.2
- Supplementary sailing instructions (called ‘the supplement’ below) will be posted on the official notice board.
- 3
- CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
- 3.1
- Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted before 0800 on the day it will take effect, unless this time is changed in the supplement. Any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 2000 on the day before it will take effect.
- 4
- SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
- 4.1
- Signals made ashore will be displayed from the flag pole. The supplement will state its location.
- 5
- SCHEDULE OF RACES
- 5.1
- The supplement will include a table showing the days, dates, number of races scheduled, the scheduled times of the first warning signal each day, and the latest time for a warning signal on the last scheduled day of racing.
- 5.2
- To alert boats that a race or sequence of races will begin soon, the orange starting line flag will be displayed with one sound at least five minutes before a warning signal is made.
- 6
- CLASS FLAGS
- 6.1
- Each class flag will be the class insignia on a plain background or as stated in the supplement.
- 7
- THE COURSES
- 7.1
- No later than the warning signal, the race committee will designate the course, and it may also display the approximate compass bearing of the first leg.
- 7.2
- The course diagrams are on the pages following SI 13. They show the courses, the order in which marks are to be passed, and the side on which each mark is to be left. The supplement may include additional courses.
- 8
- MARKS
- 8.1
- A list of the marks that will be used, including a description of each one, will be included in the supplement.
- 9
- THE START
- 9.1
- Races will be started by using RRS 26.
- 9.2
- The starting line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the race committee vessel and the course side of the starting mark.
- 10
- CHANGE OF THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE
- 10.1
- To change the next leg of the course, the race committee will lay a new mark (or move the finishing line) and remove the original mark as soon as practicable. When in a subsequent change a new mark is replaced, it will be replaced by an original mark.
- 11
- THE FINISH
- 11.1
- The finishing line will be between a staff displaying a blue flag on the race committee vessel and the course side of the finishing mark.
- 12
- TIME LIMITS
- 12.1
- The supplement will state which of the following time limits, if any, will apply and, for each, the time limit.
- •
- Mark 1 Time Limit Time limit for the first boat to pass Mark 1.
- •
- Race Time Limit Time limit for the first boat to sail the course.
- •
- Finishing Window Time limit for boats to finish after the first boat sails the course.
- 12.2
- If no boat has passed Mark 1 within the Mark 1 Time Limit, the race shall be abandoned.
- 12.3
- Boats failing to finish within the Finishing Window shall be scored Did Not Finish without a hearing. This changes RRS 35, A5.1 and A5.2.
- 13
- PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS
- 13.1
- Hearing request forms are available at the race office. Protests and requests for redress or reopening shall be delivered there within the appropriate time limit.
- 13.2
- For each class, the protest time limit is 60 minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day or the race committee signals no more racing today, whichever is later.
- 13.3
- Notices will be posted no later than 30 minutes after the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses and where the hearings will be held.
- 13.4
- Notices of protests by the race committee, technical committee or protest committee will be posted to inform boats under RRS 60.2(d).
COURSE DIAGRAMS
All or part of this appendix applies only if the notice of race or sailing instructions so state.
Arbitration adds an extra step to the protest resolution process but can eliminate the need for some protest hearings, thus speeding up the process for events in which many protests are expected. Further guidance on arbitration can be found in the World Sailing Judges Manual, which is available on the World Sailing website.
- T2
- ARBITRATION MEETING
An arbitration meeting will be held prior to a protest hearing for each incident resulting in a protest by a boat involving one or more rules of Part 2 or rule 31, but only if each party is represented by a person who was on board at the time of the incident. No witnesses will be permitted. However, if the arbitrator decides that rule 44.1(b) may apply or that arbitration is not appropriate, the meeting will not be held, and if a meeting is in progress, it will be closed.
- US Sailing prescribes that when the notice of race or sailing instructions so state the Audible-Signal Racing System described below shall be used. It is recommended primarily for small-boat racing or when race committee resources are limited. Rules in this appendix replace rule 26 and permit changes to Race Signals and the corresponding rules in Part 3.
- U3
- The starting sequence shall consist of the following sound signals made at the indicated times. These signals shall be timed from their commencement and shall govern, even if visual signals are also used.
Signal Sound Time before start Attention Series of short sounds Before the warning Warning 3 long 3 minutes Preparatory 2 long 2 minutes 1 long, 3 short 1 minute, 30 seconds 1 long 1 minute 3 short 30 seconds 2 short 20 seconds 1 short 10 seconds 5 short, 1 second apart 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 seconds Starting 1 long 0
- U5
- Failure to hear an adequate hail or sound signal shall not be grounds for redress. This changes rule 62.1.
This appendix is a US Sailing prescription.
Rules V1 and V2 provide alternative penalties that encourage competitors to take a penalty when they may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 or rule 31 in an incident. One or both of these rules apply only if the notice of race or sailing instructions so state.
- V1
- PENALTY AT THE TIME OF AN INCIDENT
The first two sentences of rule 44.1 are changed to: ‘A boat may take a One-Turn Penalty when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 or rule 31 in an incident while racing. However, when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 while in the zone around a mark other than a starting mark, her penalty shall be a Two-Turns Penalty.’
- V2
- POST-RACE PENALTIES
When rule V2 applies it does not replace any penalty that may be taken under rule 44.1. The availability of the penalty provided in rule V2 does not eliminate the need for a boat to promptly take an appropriate penalty or action in accordance with the Basic Principle, Sportsmanship and the Rules.
