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

12

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

15

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