KLYC

RACING RULES 2008

International Sailing Federation

Race Signals Inside front cover

Part 1 Fundamental Rules 7

Part 2 When Boats Meet 9

Part 3 Conduct of a Race 15

Part 4 Other Requirements When Racing 21

Part 5 Protests, Redress, Hearings, Misconduct and Appeals 29

Part 6 Entry and Qualification 41

Part 7 Race Organization 43

A Scoring 47

B Windsurfing Competition Rules 51

C Match Racing Rules 67

D Team Racing Rules 79

E Radio-Controlled Boat Racing Rules 85

F Appeals Procedures 95

G Identification on Sails 97

H Weighing Clothing and Equipment 103

J Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions 105

K Notice of Race Guide 111

L Sailing Instructions Guide 121

M Recommendations for Protest Committees 141

N International Juries 147

P Immediate Penalties for Breaking Rule 42 151

Protest Form 153

Index 155

Definitions 169

The Racing Rules of Sailing includes two main sections. The first, Parts

1–7, contains rules that affect all competitors. The second, Appendices

A–P, provides details of rules, rules that apply to particular kinds

of racing, and rules that affect only a small number of competitors or

officials.

Revision The racing rules are revised and published every four

years by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), the international

authority for the sport. This edition becomes effective on 1

January 2005. Marginal markings indicate important changes to

Parts 1–7 and the Definitions of the 2001–2004 edition. No changes

are contemplated before 2009, but any changes determined to be

urgent before then will be announced through national authorities

and posted on the ISAF website (www.sailing.org).

ISAF Codes The ISAF Eligibility, Advertising and Anti-Doping Codes

(Regulations 19, 20 and 21) are referred to in the definition Rule but

are not included in this book because they can be changed at any time.

New versions will be announced through national authorities and

posted on the ISAF website.

Cases and Calls The ISAF publishes interpretations of the racing

rules in The Case Book for 2005–2008 and recognizes them as authoritative

interpretations and explanations of the rules. It also publishes

The Call Book for Match Racing for 2005–2008 and The Call Book for

Team Racing for 2005–2008, and it recognizes them as authoritative

only for umpired match or team racing. These publications are available

on the ISAF website.

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). ‘Boat’ means a sailboat and the crew on board. ‘Race

committee’ includes any person or committee performing a race committee

function. Other words and terms are used in the sense ordinarily

understood in nautical or general use.

Appendices When the rules of an appendix apply, they take

precedence over any conflicting rules in Parts 1–7. Each appendix is

identified by a letter. A reference to a rule in an appendix will contain

the letter and the rule number (for example, ‘rule A1’). There is no

Appendix I or O.

Changes to the Rules The prescriptions of a national authority, class

rules or the sailing instructions may change a racing rule only as

permitted in rule 86.

Changes to National Authority Prescriptions A national authority

may restrict changes to its prescriptions as provided in rule 87.

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 competitors break a rule they will

promptly take a penalty, which may be to retire.

PART 1

1.1 Helping Those in Danger

1.2 Life-Saving Equipment and Personal Buoyancy

2 FAIR SAILING

3 ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES

By participating in a race conducted under these racing rules, each

competitor and boat owner agrees

(a) to be governed by the rules;

(b) to accept the penalties imposed and other action taken under

the rules, subject to the appeal and review procedures provided

in them, as the final determination of any matter arising under

the rules; and

(c) with respect to such determination, not to resort to any court or

other tribunal not provided in the rules.

4 DECISION TO RACE

The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to

continue racing is hers alone.

5 BANNED SUBSTANCES AND METHODS

A competitor shall neither take a substance nor use a method banned

by the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code or the World Anti-

Doping Agency and shall comply with ISAF Regulation 21, Anti-

Doping Code. An alleged or actual breach of this rule shall be dealt

with under Regulation 21. It shall not be grounds for a protest and

rule 63.1 does not apply.

Part 1 FUNDAMENTAL RULES 3

PART 2

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 22.1. 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. However, an alleged breach of those rules shall

not be grounds for a protest except by the race committee or protest committee.

If the sailing instructions so state, the rules of Part 2 are replaced by the rightof-

way rules of the IRPCAS or by government right-of-way rules.

SECTION A

A boat has right of way when another boat is required to keep clear of her.

However, some rules in Sections B, C and D limit the actions of a right-ofway

boat.

10 ON OPPOSITE TACKS

When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a

starboard-tack boat.

11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED

When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall

keep clear of a leeward boat.

12 ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED

When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern

shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.

10

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

A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible.

However, a right-of-way boat or one entitled to room

(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat

is not keeping clear or giving room, and

(b) shall not be penalized under this rule unless there is contact that

causes damage or injury.

15 ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY

When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other

boat room to keep clear, unless she acquires right of way because of the

other boat’s actions.

16 CHANGING COURSE

16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other

boat room to keep clear.

16.2 In addition, when after the starting signal a port-tack boat is keeping

clear by sailing to pass astern of a starboard-tack boat, the starboardtack

boat shall not change course if as a result the port-tack boat would

immediately need to change course to continue keeping clear.

Part 2 WHEN BOATS MEET 13

11

17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE

17.1 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 overlapped within that distance, unless in

doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat. This rule does not

apply if the overlap begins while the windward boat is required by rule

13 to keep clear.

17.2 Except on a beat to windward, while a boat is less than two of her hull

lengths from a leeward boat or a boat clear astern steering a course to

leeward of her, she shall not sail below her proper course unless she

gybes.

SECTION C

AT MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS

To the extent that a Section C rule conflicts with a rule in Section A or B, the

Section C rule takes precedence.

18 ROUNDING AND PASSING MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS

In rule 18, room is room for an inside boat to round or pass between an

outside boat and a mark or obstruction, including room to tack or gybe

when either is a normal part of the manoeuvre.

18.1 When This Rule Applies

Rule 18 applies when boats are about to round or pass a mark they are

required to leave on the same side, or an obstruction on the same side,

until they have passed it. However, it does not apply

(a) at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor

line from the time the boats are approaching them to start until

they have passed them, or

(b) while the boats are on opposite tacks, either on a beat to windward

or when the proper course for one of them, but not both, to

round or pass the mark or obstruction is to tack.

Part 2 WHEN BOATS MEET 18.1

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18.2 Giving Room; Keeping Clear

(a) OVERLAPPED – BASIC RULE

When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside

boat room to round or pass the mark or obstruction, and if the

inside boat has right of way the outside boat shall also keep clear.

Other parts of rule 18 contain exceptions to this rule.

(b) OVERLAPPED AT THE ZONE

If boats were overlapped before either of them reached the twolength

zone and the overlap is broken after one of them has reached

it, the boat that was on the outside shall continue to give the other

boat room. If the outside boat becomes clear astern or overlapped

inside the other boat, she is not entitled to room and shall keep clear.

(c) NOT OVERLAPPED AT THE ZONE

If a boat was clear ahead at the time she reached the two-length

zone, the boat clear astern shall thereafter keep clear. If the boat

clear astern becomes overlapped outside the other boat, she shall

also give the inside boat room. If the boat clear astern becomes

overlapped inside the other boat, she is not entitled to room. If the

boat that was clear ahead passes head to wind, rule 18.2(c) no

longer applies and remains inapplicable.

(d) CHANGING COURSE TO ROUND OR PASS

When after the starting signal rule 18 applies between two boats

and the right-of-way boat is changing course to round or pass a

mark, rule 16 does not apply between her and the other boat.

(e) OVERLAP RIGHTS

If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an

overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not. If the outside

boat is unable to give room when an overlap begins, rules

18.2(a) and 18.2(b) do not apply.

18.3 Tacking at a Mark

If two boats were approaching a mark on opposite tacks and one of

them completes a tack in the two-length zone when the other is fetching

the mark, rule 18.2 does not apply. The boat that tacked

Part 2 WHEN BOATS MEET 18.2

13

(a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid

her or prevent the other boat from passing the mark, and

(b) shall give room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her, in

which case rule 15 does not apply.

18.4 Gybing

When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark or

obstruction to sail her proper course, until she gybes she shall sail no

farther from the mark or obstruction than needed to sail that course.

18.5 Passing a Continuing Obstruction

While boats are passing a continuing obstruction, rules 18.2(b) and

18.2(c) do not apply. A boat clear astern that obtains an inside overlap

is entitled to room to pass between the other boat and the obstruction

only if at the moment the overlap begins there is room to do so. If there

is not, she is not entitled to room and shall keep clear.

19 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION

19.1 When approaching an obstruction, a boat sailing close-hauled or

above may hail for room to tack and avoid another boat on the same

tack. However, she shall not hail unless safety requires her to make

a substantial course change to avoid the obstruction. Before tacking

she shall give the hailed boat time to respond. The hailed boat shall

respond by either

(a) tacking as soon as possible, in which case the hailing boat shall

also tack as soon as possible, or

(b) immediately replying ‘You tack’, in which case the hailing boat

shall tack as soon as possible and the hailed boat shall give room,

and rules 10 and 13 do not apply.

19.2 Rule 19.1 does not apply at a starting mark surrounded by navigable

water or at its anchor line from the time boats are approaching them

to start until they have passed them or at a mark that the hailed boat

can fetch. When rule 19.1 applies, rule 18 does not.

Part 2 WHEN BOATS MEET 19.2

14

SECTION D

OTHER RULES

When rule 20 or 21 applies between two boats, Section A rules do not.

20 STARTING ERRORS; PENALTY TURNS; MOVING ASTERN

20.1 A boat sailing towards the pre-start side of the starting line or its

extensions after her starting signal to start or to comply with rule 30.1

shall keep clear of a boat not doing so until she is completely on the prestart

side.

20.2 A boat making a penalty turn shall keep clear of one that is not.

20.3 A boat moving astern by backing a sail shall keep clear of one that is

not.

21 CAPSIZED, ANCHORED OR AGROUND; RESCUING

If possible, a boat shall avoid a boat that is capsized or has not regained

control after capsizing, is anchored or aground, or is trying to help a

person or vessel in danger. A boat is capsized when her masthead is in

the water.

22 INTERFERING WITH ANOTHER BOAT

22.1 If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not interfere with a boat

that is racing.

22.2 A boat shall not change course if her only purpose is to interfere

with a boat making a penalty turn or one on another leg or lap of the

course.

Part 2 WHEN BOATS MEET 20

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PART 3

CONDUCT OF A RACE

25 NOTICE OF RACE, SAILING INSTRUCTIONS AND SIGNALS

The notice of race and sailing instructions shall be made available to

each boat before a race begins. The meanings of the visual and sound

signals stated in Race Signals shall not be changed except under rule

86.1(b). The meanings of any other signals that may be used shall be

stated in the sailing instructions.

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.

Signal Flag and sound Minutes before

starting signal

Warning Class flag; 1 sound 5*

Preparatory P, I, Z, Z with I, or black flag;

1 sound 4

One-minute Preparatory flag removed;

1 long sound 1

Starting Class flag removed; 1 sound 0

*or as stated in the sailing instructions

The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or

after the starting signal of the preceding class.

27 OTHER RACE COMMITTEE ACTIONS BEFORE THE

STARTING SIGNAL

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

16

Part 3 CONDUCT OF A RACE 27.2

have not stated the course, and it may replace one course signal

with another and signal that wearing personal buoyancy is required

(display flag Y with one sound).

27.2 No later than the preparatory signal, the race committee may move a

starting mark and may apply rule 30.

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 over H, or N over A, with three

sounds).

28 SAILING THE COURSE

28.1 A boat shall start, leave each mark on the required side in the correct

order, and finish, so that a string representing her wake after starting

and until finishing would when drawn taut pass each mark on the

required side and touch each rounding mark. She may correct any

errors to comply with this rule. After finishing she need not cross the

finishing line completely.

28.2 A boat may leave on either side a mark that does not begin, bound or

end the leg she is on. However, she shall leave a starting mark on the

required side when she is approaching the starting line from its prestart

side to start.

29 RECALLS

29.1 Individual Recall

29.2 General Recall

30.1 Round-an-End Rule

starting.

30.2 20% Penalty Rule

If flag Z has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull, crew or equipment

shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and

the first mark during the 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, resailed or rescheduled, but

not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal.

30.3 Black Flag Rule

If a black flag has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull, crew or

equipment shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting

line and the first mark during the 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, resailed or rescheduled, 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

Part 3 CONDUCT OF A RACE 30.3

31.1 While racing, a boat shall not 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.

31.2 A boat that has broken rule 31.1 may, after getting well clear of other

boats as soon as possible, take a penalty by promptly making one turn

including one tack and one gybe. When a boat takes the penalty after

touching a finishing mark, she shall sail completely to the course side

of the line before finishing. However, if a boat has gained a significant

advantage in the race or series by touching the mark her penalty shall

be to retire.

32.1 After the starting signal, the race committee may shorten the course

(display flag S with two sounds) or abandon the race (display flag N, N

over H, or N over A, with three sounds), as appropriate,

(a) because of an error in the starting procedure,

(b) because of foul weather,

(c) because of insufficient wind making it unlikely that any boat

will finish within the time limit,

(d) because a mark is missing or out of position, or

(e) for any other reason directly affecting the safety or fairness of

the competition,

or may shorten the course so that other scheduled races can be sailed.

However, after one boat has sailed the course and finished within the

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 If the race committee signals a shortened course (displays flag S with

two sounds), the finishing line shall be,

Part 3 CONDUCT OF A RACE 31

(a) at a rounding mark, between the mark and a staff displaying

flag S;

(b) at a line boats are required to cross at the end of each lap, that

line;

(c) at a gate, between the gate marks.

33 CHANGING THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE

The race committee may change a leg of the course that begins at

a rounding mark 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.

(a) If the direction of the leg will be changed, the signal shall be the

display of flag C with repetitive sounds and either

(1) the new compass bearing or

(2) a green triangular flag or board for a change to starboard

or a red rectangular flag or board for a change to port.

(b) If the length of the leg will be changed, the signal shall be the

display of flag C with repetitive sounds and a ‘–’ if the leg will be

shortened or a ‘+’ if the leg will be lengthened.

(c) Subsequent legs may be changed without further signalling to

maintain the course shape.

34 MARK MISSING

If a mark is missing or out of position, the race committee shall, if

possible,

(a) replace it in its correct position or substitute a new one of similar

appearance, or

(b) substitute an object displaying flag M and make repetitive sound

signals.

35 TIME LIMIT AND SCORES

If one boat sails the course as required by rule 28.1 and finishes within

the time limit, if any, all boats that finish shall be scored according to

Part 3 CONDUCT OF A RACE 35

their finishing places unless the race is abandoned. If no boat finishes

within the time limit, the race committee shall abandon the race.

36 RACES RESTARTED OR RESAILED

If a race is restarted or resailed, a breach of a rule, other than rule

30.3, in the original race shall not prohibit a boat from competing or,

except under rule 30.2, 30.3 or 69, cause her to be penalized.

Part 3 CONDUCT OF A RACE 36

PART 4

Part 4 rules apply only to boats racing.

40.1 When flag Y is displayed with one sound before or with the warning

signal, competitors shall wear life-jackets or other adequate personal

buoyancy. Wet suits and dry suits are not adequate personal buoyancy.

40.2 A trapeze or hiking harness shall have a device that can quickly

release the competitor from the boat at any time while in use.

Note: This rule takes effect on 1 January 2006.

41 OUTSIDE HELP

42.1 Basic Rule

42.2 Prohibited Actions

42.3 Exceptions

(a) A boat may be rolled to facilitate steering.

(b) A boat’s crew may move their bodies to exaggerate the rolling

that facilitates steering the boat through a tack or a gybe, provided

that, just after the tack or gybe is completed, the boat’s

speed is not greater than it would have been in the absence of

the tack or gybe.

Part 4 OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING 42.2

Note: Interpretations of rule 42 are available at the ISAF website (www.

sailing.org) or by mail upon request.

43.1 (a) Competitors shall not wear or carry clothing or equipment for

the purpose of increasing their weight.

(b) Furthermore, a competitor’s clothing and equipment shall

not weigh more than 8 kilograms, excluding a hiking or trapeze

harness and clothing (including footwear) worn only

below the knee. Class rules or sailing instructions 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 hiking or trapeze harness shall

have positive buoyancy 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.

(c) When a measurer in charge of weighing clothing and equipment

believes a competitor may have broken rule 43.1(a) or

43.1(b) he shall report the matter in writing to the race committee,

which shall protest the boat of the competitor.

43.2 Rule 43.1(b) does not apply to boats required to be equipped with

lifelines.

44.1 Taking a Penalty

A boat that may have broken a rule of Part 2 while racing may take a

penalty at the time of the incident. Her penalty shall be a Two-Turns

Penalty unless the sailing instructions specify the use of the Scoring

Part 4 OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING 44.1

44.2 Two-Turns Penalty

After getting well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as

possible, a boat takes a Two-Turns Penalty by promptly making two

turns in the same direction, including two tacks and two gybes. When

a boat takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, she shall sail

completely to the course side of the line before finishing.

44.3 Scoring Penalty

(a) A boat takes a Scoring Penalty by displaying a yellow flag at the

first reasonable opportunity after the incident, keeping it displayed

until finishing, and calling 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 within the time limit for protests.

44.4 Limits on Penalties

(a) When a boat intends to take a penalty as provided in rule 44.1

and in the same incident has touched a mark, she need not take

the penalty provided in rule 31.2.

Part 4 OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING 44.2

45 HAULING OUT; MAKING FAST; ANCHORING

46 PERSON IN CHARGE

47.1 A boat shall use only the equipment on board at her preparatory

signal.

47.2 No person on board shall intentionally leave, except when ill or

injured, or to help a person or vessel in danger, or to swim. A person

leaving the boat by accident or to swim shall be back on board before

the boat continues in the race.

48 FOG SIGNALS AND LIGHTS

When safety requires, a boat shall sound fog signals and show lights

as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at

Sea or applicable government rules.

49.1 Competitors shall use no device designed to position their bodies

outboard, other than hiking straps and stiffeners worn under the

thighs.

Part 4 OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING 49.1

49.2 When lifelines are required by the class rules or the sailing

instructions they shall be taut, and competitors shall not position

any part of their torsos outside them, except briefly to perform a

necessary task. On boats equipped with upper and lower lifelines of

wire, a competitor sitting on the deck facing outboard with his waist

inside the lower lifeline may have the upper part of his body outside

the upper lifeline.

50.1 Changing Sails

50.2 Spinnaker Poles; Whisker Poles

Only one spinnaker pole or whisker pole shall be used at a time except

when gybing. When in use, it shall be attached to the foremost mast.

50.3 Use of Outriggers

(a) No sail shall be sheeted over or through an outrigger, except as

permitted in rule 50.3(b) or 50.3(c). An outrigger is any fitting

or other device so placed that it could exert outward pressure on

a sheet or sail at a point from which, with the boat upright, a

vertical line would fall outside the hull or deck planking. For the

purpose of this rule, bulwarks, rails and rubbing strakes are not

part of the hull or deck planking and the following are not outriggers:

a bowsprit used to secure the tack of a working sail, a

bumkin used to sheet the boom of a working sail, or a boom of a

boomed headsail that requires no adjustment when tacking.

(b) Any sail may be sheeted to or led above a boom that is regularly

used for a working sail and is permanently attached to the mast

from which the head of the working sail is set.

(c) A headsail may be sheeted or attached at its clew to a spinnaker

pole or whisker pole, provided that a spinnaker is not set.

Part 4 OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING 49.2

27

50.4 Headsails

The difference between a headsail and a spinnaker is that the mid-girth

of a headsail, measured from the mid-points of its luff and leech, does

not exceed 50% of the length of its foot, and no other intermediate

girth exceeds a percentage similarly proportional to its distance from

the head of the sail. A sail tacked down behind the foremost mast is

not a headsail.

51 MOVABLE BALLAST

All movable ballast shall be properly stowed, and 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.

52 MANUAL POWER

A boat’s standing rigging, running rigging, spars and movable hull

appendages shall be adjusted and operated only by manual power.

53 SKIN FRICTION

A boat shall not eject or release a substance, such as a polymer, or

have specially textured surfaces that could improve the character of

the flow of water inside the boundary layer.

54 FORESTAYS AND HEADSAIL TACKS

Forestays and headsail tacks, except those of spinnaker staysails

when the boat is not close-hauled, shall be attached approximately on

a boat’s centreline.

Part 4 OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING 54

29

PART 5

PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS,

MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS

SECTION A

PROTESTS; REDRESS; RULE 69 ACTION

60 RIGHT TO PROTEST; RIGHT TO REQUEST REDRESS OR

RULE 69 ACTION

60.1 A boat may

(a) protest another boat, but not for an alleged breach of a rule of

Part 2 unless she was involved in or saw the incident; or

(b) request redress.

60.2 A race committee may

(a) protest a boat, but not as a result of a report from an interested

party or information in an invalid protest or in a request for

redress;

(b) request redress for a boat; or

(c) report to the protest committee requesting action under rule

69.1(a).

60.3 A protest committee may

(a) protest a boat, but not as a result of a report from an interested

party or information in an invalid protest or in a request for

redress. However, it may protest a boat

(1) if it learns of an incident involving her that may have

resulted in injury or serious damage, or

(2) if during the hearing of a valid protest it learns that the

boat, although not a party to the hearing, was involved in

the incident and may have broken a rule;

30

(b) call a hearing to consider redress; or

(c) act under rule 69.1(a).

61 PROTEST REQUIREMENTS

61.1 Informing the Protestee

(a) A boat intending to protest shall inform the other boat at the

first reasonable opportunity. When her protest concerns an incident

in the racing area that she is involved in or sees, she shall

hail ‘Protest’ and conspicuously display a red flag at the first reasonable

opportunity for each. She shall display the flag until she

is no longer racing. However,

(1) if the other boat is beyond hailing distance, the protesting

boat need not hail but she shall inform the other boat at

the first reasonable opportunity;

(2) if the hull length of the protesting boat is less than 6

metres, she need not display a red flag;

(3) if the incident results in damage or injury that is obvious

to the boats involved and one of them intends to protest,

the requirements of this rule do not apply to her, but she

shall attempt to inform the other boat within the time

limit of rule 61.3.

(b) A race committee or protest committee intending to protest a

boat shall inform her as soon as reasonably possible. However, if

the protest arises from an incident the committee observes in the

racing area, it shall inform the boat after the race within the

time limit of rule 61.3.

(c) If the protest committee decides to protest a boat under rule

60.3(a)(2), it shall inform her as soon as reasonably possible,

close the current hearing, proceed as required by rules 61.2 and

63, and hear the original and the new protests together.

61.2 Protest Contents

A protest shall be in writing and identify

(a) the protestor and protestee;

(b) the incident, including where and when it occurred;

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 61

31

(c) any rule the protestor believes was broken; and

(d) the name of the protestor’s representative.

However, if requirement (b) is met, requirement (a) may be met at

any time before the hearing, and requirements (c) and (d) may be met

before or during the hearing.

61.3 Protest Time Limit

A protest by a boat, or by the race committee or protest committee

about an incident the committee observes in the racing area, shall

be delivered to the race office no later than the time limit stated in

the sailing instructions. If none is stated, the time limit is two hours

after the last boat in the race finishes. Other race committee or protest

committee protests shall be delivered to the race office within two hours

after the committee receives the relevant information. The protest

committee shall extend the time if there is good reason to do so.

62 REDRESS

62.1 A request for redress or a protest committee’s decision to consider

redress shall be based on a claim or possibility that a boat’s score in a

race or series has, through no fault of her own, been made significantly

worse by

(a) an improper action or omission of the race committee, protest

committee or organizing authority;

(b) injury or physical damage because of the action of a boat that

was breaking a rule of Part 2 or of a vessel not racing that was

required to keep clear;

(c) giving help (except to herself or her crew) in compliance with

rule 1.1; or

(d) a boat against which a penalty has been imposed under rule 2 or

disciplinary action has been taken under rule 69.1(b).

62.2 The request shall be made in writing within the time limit of rule

61.3 or within two hours of the relevant incident, whichever is later.

The protest committee shall extend the time if there is good reason to

do so. No red flag is required.

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 62.2

32

SECTION B

HEARINGS AND DECISIONS

63 HEARINGS

63.1 Requirement for a Hearing

A boat or competitor shall not be penalized without a protest hearing,

except as provided in rules 30.2, 30.3, 67, 69, A5 and P2. A decision

on redress shall not be made without a hearing. The protest committee

shall hear all protests and requests for redress that have been delivered

to the race office unless it allows a protest or request to be withdrawn.

63.2 Time and Place of the Hearing; Time for Parties to Prepare

All parties to the hearing shall be notified of the time and place of the

hearing, the protest or redress information shall be made available to

them, and they shall be allowed reasonable time to prepare for the

hearing.

63.3 Right to Be Present

(a) The parties to the hearing, or a representative of each, have the

right to be present throughout the hearing of all the evidence.

When a protest claims a breach of a rule of Part 2, 3 or 4, the

representatives of boats shall have been on board at the time

of the incident, unless there is good reason for the protest committee

to rule otherwise. Any witness, other than a member of

the protest committee, shall be excluded except when giving evidence.

(b) If a party to the hearing does not come to the hearing, the protest

committee may nevertheless decide the protest or request for

redress. If the party was unavoidably absent, the committee may

reopen the hearing.

63.4 Interested Party

A member of a protest committee who is an interested party shall not

take any further part in the hearing but may appear as a witness. A

party to the hearing who believes a member of the protest committee

is an interested party shall object as soon as possible.

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 63

63.5 Validity of the Protest or Request for Redress

At the beginning of the hearing the protest committee shall decide

whether all requirements for the protest or request for redress have

been met, after first taking any evidence it considers necessary. If all

requirements have been met, the protest or request is valid and the

hearing shall be continued. If not, it shall be closed. If the protest has

been made under rule 60.3(a)(1), the protest committee shall also

determine whether or not injury or serious damage resulted from the

incident in question. If not, the hearing shall be closed.

63.6 Taking Evidence and Finding Facts

The protest committee shall take the evidence of the parties to the

hearing and of their witnesses and other evidence it considers

necessary. A member of the protest committee who saw the incident

may give evidence. A party to the hearing may question any person

who gives evidence. The committee shall then find the facts and base

its decision on them.

63.7 Conflict between Rules

If there is a conflict between a rule in the notice of race and one in

the sailing instructions that must be resolved before the protest

committee can decide a protest or request for redress, the committee

shall apply the rule that it believes will provide the fairest result for all

boats affected.

63.8 Protests between Boats in Different Races

A protest between boats sailing in different races conducted by

different organizing authorities shall be heard by a protest committee

acceptable to those authorities.

64.1 Penalties and Exoneration

(a) When the protest committee decides that a boat that is a party to

a protest hearing has broken a rule, it shall disqualify her unless

some other penalty applies. A penalty shall be imposed whether

or not the applicable rule was mentioned in the protest.

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 64.1

(b) When as a consequence of breaking a rule a boat has compelled

another boat to break a rule, rule 64.1(a) does not apply to the

other boat and she shall be exonerated.

(c) If a boat has broken a rule when not racing, her penalty shall

apply to the race sailed nearest in time to that of the incident.

64.2 Decisions on Redress

When the protest committee decides that a boat is entitled to redress

under rule 62, it 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 A10 for some examples) or finishing times

of boats, to abandon the race, to let the results stand or to make some

other arrangement. When in doubt about the facts or probable results

of any arrangement for the race or series, especially before abandoning

64.3 Decisions on Measurement Protests

(a) When the protest committee finds that deviations in excess of

tolerances specified in the class rules were caused by damage or

normal wear and do not improve the performance of the boat, it

shall not penalize her. However, the boat shall not race again

until the deviations have been corrected, except when the protest

committee decides there is or has been no reasonable opportunity

to do so.

(b) When the protest committee is in doubt about the meaning of a

measurement rule, 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.

(c) When a boat disqualified under a measurement rule states in

writing that she intends to appeal, she may compete in subsequent

races without changes to the boat, but shall be disqualified

if she fails to appeal or the appeal is decided against her.

(d) Measurement costs arising from a protest involving a measurement

rule shall be paid by the unsuccessful party unless the protest

committee decides otherwise.

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 64.2

65.1 After making its decision, the protest committee shall promptly inform

the parties to the hearing of the facts found, the applicable rules, the

decision, the reasons for it, and any penalties imposed or redress

given.

65.2 A party to the hearing is entitled to receive the above information

in writing, provided she asks for it in writing from the protest

committee within seven days of being informed of the decision. The

committee shall then promptly provide the information, including,

when relevant, a diagram of the incident prepared or endorsed by

the committee.

65.3 When the protest committee penalizes a boat under a measurement

rule, it shall send the above information to the relevant measurement

authorities.

66 REOPENING A HEARING

The protest committee may reopen a hearing when it decides that it

may have made a significant error, or when significant new evidence

becomes available within a reasonable time. It shall reopen a hearing

when required by the national authority under rule F5. A party to the

hearing may ask for a reopening no later than 24 hours after being

informed of the decision. When a hearing is reopened, a majority of

the members of the protest committee shall, if possible, be members

of the original protest committee.

67 RULE 42 AND HEARING REQUIREMENT

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 67

68 DAMAGES

The question of damages arising from a breach of any rule shall be

governed by the prescriptions, if any, of the national authority.

SECTION C

69.1 Action by a Protest Committee

(a) When a protest committee, from its own observation or a report

received from any source, believes that a competitor may have

committed a gross breach of a rule, good manners or sportsmanship,

or may have brought the sport into disrepute, it may

call a hearing. The protest committee shall promptly inform the

competitor in writing of the alleged misconduct and of the time

and place of the hearing.

(b) A protest committee of at least three members shall conduct the

hearing, following rules 63.2, 63.3, 63.4 and 63.6. If it decides

that the competitor committed the alleged misconduct it shall

either

(1) warn the competitor or

(2) impose a penalty by excluding the competitor and, when

appropriate, disqualifying a boat, from a race or the remaining

races or all races of the series, or by taking other action

within its jurisdiction. A disqualification under this rule

shall not be excluded from the boat’s series score.

(c) The protest committee shall promptly report a penalty, but not a

warning, to the national authorities of the venue, of the competitor

and of the boat owner.

(d) If there is good reason for the competitor not to attend the hearing,

the protest committee shall postpone it. However, if the

competitor has left the event and as a result cannot reasonably

be expected to attend a hearing, the protest committee shall not

conduct one. Instead, it shall collect all available information

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 68

69.2 Action by a National Authority

(a) When a national authority receives a report required by rule

69.1(c) or 69.1(d), a report alleging a gross breach of a rule,

good manners or sportsmanship, or a report alleging conduct

that has brought the sport into disrepute, it may conduct an

investigation and, when appropriate, shall conduct a hearing. It

may then take any disciplinary action within its jurisdiction it

considers appropriate against the competitor or boat, or other

person involved, including suspending eligibility, permanently

or for a specified period of time, to compete in any event held

within its jurisdiction, and suspending ISAF eligibility under

ISAF Regulation 19.

(b) The national authority of a competitor shall also suspend the

ISAF eligibility of the competitor as required in ISAF Regulation

19.

(c) The national authority shall promptly report a suspension of

eligibility under rule 69.2(a) to the ISAF, and to the national

authorities of the person or the owner of the boat suspended if

they are not members of the suspending national authority.

69.3 Action by the ISAF

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 69.3

SECTION D

70.1 Provided that the right of appeal has not been denied under rule 70.4,

a party to a hearing may appeal a protest committee’s decision or its

procedures, but not the facts found, to the national authority of the

venue.

70.2 A protest committee may request confirmation or correction of its

decision.

70.3 A club or other organization affiliated to a national authority may

request an interpretation of the rules, provided that no protest or

request for redress that may be appealed is involved. The interpretation

shall not be used for changing a previous protest committee decision.

70.4 There shall be no appeal from the decisions of an international jury

constituted in compliance with Appendix N. Furthermore, if the

notice of race and the sailing instructions so state, the right of appeal

may be denied provided that

(a) it is essential to determine promptly the result of a race that will

qualify a boat to compete in a later stage of an event or a subsequent

event (a national authority may prescribe that its approval

is required for such a procedure);

(b) a national authority so approves for a particular event open only

to entrants under its own jurisdiction; or

(c) a national authority after consultation with the ISAF so approves

for a particular event, provided the protest committee is constituted

as required by Appendix N, except that only two members

of the protest committee need be International Judges.

70.5 Appeals and requests shall conform to Appendix F.

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 70

71.1 No interested party or member of the protest committee shall take

any part in the discussion or decision on an appeal or a request for

confirmation or correction.

71.2 The national authority may uphold, change or reverse the protest

committee’s decision; declare the protest or request for redress invalid;

or return the protest or request for the hearing to be reopened, or

for a new hearing and decision by the same or a different protest

committee.

71.3 When from the facts found by the protest committee the national

authority decides that a boat that was a party to a protest hearing

broke a rule, it shall penalize her, whether or not that boat or that rule

71.4 The decision of the national authority shall be 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.

Part 5 PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS 71.4

PART 6

75.1 To enter a race, a boat shall comply with the requirements of the

organizing authority of the race. She shall be entered by

(a) a member of a club or other organization affiliated to an ISAF

member national authority,

(b) such a club or organization, or

(c) a member of an ISAF member national authority.

75.2 Competitors shall comply with ISAF Regulation 19, Eligibility Code.

76.1 The organizing authority or the race committee may reject or cancel

the entry of a boat or exclude a competitor, subject to rule 76.2,

provided it does so before the start of the first race and states the reason

for doing so. However, the organizing authority or the race committee

shall not reject or cancel the entry of a boat or exclude a competitor

because of advertising, provided the boat or competitor complies with

ISAF Regulation 20, Advertising Code.

76.2 At world and continental championships no entry within stated

quotas shall be rejected or cancelled without first obtaining the

approval of the relevant international class association (or the

Offshore Racing Council) or the ISAF.

77 IDENTIFICATION ON SAILS

78.1 A boat’s 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.

78.2 When a rule requires a certificate to be produced before a boat races,

and it is not produced, the boat may race provided that the race

committee receives a statement signed by the person in charge that a

valid certificate exists and that it will be given to the race committee

before the end of the event. If the certificate is not received in time, the

boat shall be disqualified from all races of the event.

78.3 When a measurer for an event decides that a boat or personal

equipment does not comply with the class rules, he shall report the

matter in writing to the race committee, which shall protest the boat.

79 ADVERTISING

A boat and her crew shall comply with ISAF Regulation 20,

Advertising Code.

80 RESCHEDULED RACES

When a race has been rescheduled, rule 36 applies and all boats

entered in the original race shall be notified and, unless disqualified

under rule 30.3, be entitled to sail the rescheduled race. New entries

that meet the entry requirements of the original race may be accepted

at the discretion of the race committee.

Part 6 ENTRY AND QUALIFICATION 78

43

PART 7

RACE ORGANIZATION

85 GOVERNING RULES

The organizing authority, race committee and protest committee shall

be governed by the rules in the conduct and judging of races.

86 CHANGES TO THE RACING RULES

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; Sportsmanship

and the Rules; Part 1, 2 or 7; rule 42, 43.1, 43.2, 69, 70,

71, 75, 76.2 or 79; a rule of an appendix that changes one of

these rules; Appendix H or N; or ISAF Regulation 19, 20 or 21.

(b) Sailing instructions may change a racing rule by referring specifically

to it and stating the change, but not rule 76.1, Appendix

F, or a rule listed in rule 86.1(a).

(c) Class rules may change only racing rules 42, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53

and 54.

86.2 In exception to rule 86.1, the ISAF may in limited circumstances (see

ISAF Regulation 31.1.3) authorize changes to the racing rules for

a specific international event. The authorization shall be stated in a

letter of approval to the event organizing authority and in the notice

of race and sailing instructions, and the letter shall be posted on the

event’s official notice board.

86.3 If a national authority so prescribes, these restrictions 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.

44

87 CHANGES TO NATIONAL AUTHORITY PRESCRIPTIONS

A national authority may restrict changes to its prescriptions with a

prescription to this rule. If it does so, that prescription shall not be

changed or deleted by sailing instructions.

88 ORGANIZING AUTHORITY; NOTICE OF RACE;

APPOINTMENT OF RACE OFFICIALS

88.1 Organizing Authority

Races shall be organized by an organizing authority, which shall be

(a) the ISAF;

(b) a member national authority of the ISAF;

(c) a club or other organization affiliated to a national authority;

(d) a class association, either with the approval of a national

authority or in conjunction with an affiliated club;

(e) an unaffiliated body in conjunction with an affiliated club where

the body is owned and controlled by the club. The national

authority of the club may prescribe that its approval is required

for such an event; or

(f) if approved by the ISAF and the national authority of the club,

an unaffiliated body in conjunction with an affiliated club where

the body is not owned and controlled by the club.

88.2 Notice of Race; Appointment of Race Officials

(a) The organizing authority shall publish a notice of race that conforms

to rule J1. The notice of race may be changed provided

adequate notice is given.

(b) The organizing authority shall appoint a race committee and,

when appropriate, appoint a protest committee and umpires.

However, the race committee, an international jury and umpires

may be appointed by the ISAF as provided in the ISAF regulations.

Part 7 RACE ORGANIZATION 87

45

89 RACE COMMITTEE; SAILING INSTRUCTIONS; SCORING

89.1 Race Committee

The race committee shall conduct races as directed by the organizing

authority and as required by the rules.

89.2 Sailing Instructions

(a) The race committee shall publish written sailing instructions

that conform to rule J2.

(b) The sailing instructions for an international event shall include,

in English, the applicable prescriptions of the national authority.

(c) Changes to the sailing instructions shall be in writing and posted

within the required time on the official notice board 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.

89.3 Scoring

(a) The race committee shall score a race or series as provided in

Appendix A using the Low Point System, unless the sailing

instructions specify the Bonus Point System or some other

system. A race shall be scored if it is not abandoned and if one

boat sails the course in compliance with rule 28.1 and finishes

within the time limit, if any, even if she retires after finishing or

is disqualified.

(b) When a scoring system provides for excluding one or more race

scores from a boat’s series score, the score for disqualification

under rule 2; rule 30.3’s next-to-last sentence; rule 42 if rule

67, P2.2 or P2.3 applies; or rule 69.1(b)(2) shall not be excluded.

The next-worse score shall be excluded instead.

90 PROTEST COMMITTEE

A protest committee shall be

(a) a committee appointed by the organizing authority or race committee,

or

Part 7 RACE ORGANIZATION 90

46

(b) an international jury appointed by the organizing authority or

as prescribed in the ISAF regulations and meeting the requirements

of Appendix N. A national authority may prescribe that

its approval is required for the appointment of international

juries for races within its jurisdiction, except ISAF events or

when international juries are appointed by the ISAF under rule

88.2(b).

Part 7 RACE ORGANIZATION 90