Racing Rules of Sailing
2009 – 2012
Part 2
Presentation
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Purpose of the RRS
The rules have several purposes:
1. Allow boats to race in tight quarters
without colliding
2. Make racing as fair as
possible
3. Promote safety
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Rule Book Organization
• Parts 1 – 7 contain rules that affect all competitors:
– Part 1: Fundamental Rules
– Part 2: When Boats Meet
Primary focus of this
presentation
– Part 3: Conducting a Race
– Part 4: Other Requirements When Racing
– Part 5: Protests, Redress, Hearings, Misconduct and Appeals
– Part 6: Entry and Qualification
– Part 7: Race Organization
• Appendices A – Q provide details of rules, rules that apply to
particular kinds of racing, and rules that affect only a small number
of the competitors or officials.
• Definitions
Primary focus of this
presentation
• Race Signals
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead;
Overlapped
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlapped
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlapped
• Boat Between
• Boat NOT Between
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlapped
• Same Tack
– These terms always apply to boats on
the same tack
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlapped
• Opposite Tacks – when rule 18 applies. OR both
boats are sailing more than 90º from the true
wind.
True Wind
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Is there an overlap between
Blue and Yellow?
Case 1
Case 2
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Is there an overlap between
Blue and Yellow?
Case 1
Case 2
Yes, opposite tacks
but sailing more than
90 degrees from the
true wind.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
Yes, they are on
the same tack
and neither
is clear astern.
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Is there an overlap between
Blue and Yellow?
Case 1
Case 2
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Is there an overlap between
Blue and Yellow?
Case 1
Case 2
Yes, even though they
are on opposite tacks
Rule 18 applies.
Yes, they are on the same
tack and neither is clear
astern.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Is there an overlap between
Blue and Green?
Case 1
Case 2
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Is there an overlap between
Blue and Green?
Case 1
Case 2
Yes, Yellow is
overlapped with both
and between them.
Yes, Yellow is between both
and all boats are more than
90º from the true wind.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Is there an overlap between
Blue and Green?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Is there an overlap between
Blue and Green?
No, Yellow is
not between
Blue & Green
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Fetching
A boat is fetching a mark when
she is in a position to pass to
windward of it and leave it on
the required side without
changing tack.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Which boats are
fetching the mark?
Wind
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Which boats are
fetching the mark?
Wind
Green & Yellow: Yes
Blue, Pink & Gray: No
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Finish
1. Equipment in
normal position
2. From direction of
the last mark
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
?
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Finish
1. Equipment in
normal position
2. From direction of
the last mark
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
?
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
When did Blue finish?
Position 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Keep Clear
A boat keeps clear of another if
the other can sail her course with
no need to take avoiding action …
and,
when … overlapped, if the
leeward boat can change course
in both directions without
immediately making contact …
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Leeward and Windward
• Upwind
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© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Leeward and Windward
• Downwind
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© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Mark-Room
• This is a new term in 2009
• Mark-Room definition has two parts
1. Room for a boat to sail to the mark,
and
2. then room to sail her proper course while
at the mark.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Mark-Room
• Room for a boat to sail to the mark,
Must give
mark-room
from now.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
The space needed to
sail to the mark to the
mark in a “seamanlike “
way.
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Mark-Room
• Room for a boat to
sail to the mark,
Must give markroom from now.
Entitled only to enough
space to sail to the mark in
a seamanlike way, not the
space she might want to
make a tactical swing widecut close rounding.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Mark-Room
• … and then room to sail her proper course while at
the mark.
Must give mark-room
from now.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
Once at the mark,
entitled to space to
sail her proper
course around or
past the mark.
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Mark-Room
• … and then room to sail her proper course while at
the mark.
Her proper course at
the mark may be to
gybe. Yellow must
leave enough space
for Blue’s boom to
come across with the
gybe.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
Must give
mark-room
from now.
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Obstruction
1. The object must be large enough to require a
substantial course if you were aiming right at it.
2. The amount of course change required is
determined from a point one-boat
length from the object.
3. The size of course change
must be substantial.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
STAY
CLEAR
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Obstruction
• A vessel under way, including a
boat racing, is never a continuing
obstruction.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Proper Course
• Fastest course to the
finish in the absence of
the other boats referred
to in the rule…
• No proper course
before the starting
signal
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Racing
• A boat is racing from her preparatory signal until she
finishes and clears the finishing line and marks – or
retires – or the race is recalled, postponed or
abandoned.
• Preamble to Part 2 requires that you understand
when a boat is racing and when a boat must follow
the rules…
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Room: The space a boat needs in the
existing conditions while maneuvering
promptly in a seamanlike way.
• promptly – time (generally interpreted as
without unreasonable delay)
• existing conditions – big waves, strong
winds, current
• seamanlike – not beginner or expert, but
competent, safe
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Rule includes:
• the rules in the current book (including
Definitions, Signals, Introduction,
preambles, and rules of relevant
appendices)
• BUT NOT THE TITLES
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Rule includes:
• ISAF Regulations: 19 (Eligibility),
20 (Advertising),
21 (Anti-Doping),
22 (Sailor Classification)
• The prescriptions of the national authority (US
SAILING)
• Class rules
• NOR and SIs
• Any other documents that govern the event
(Deed of Gift)
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
What about…
? – ISAF CASES
? – US SAILING Appeals
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
What about…
? – ISAF CASES
? – US SAILING Appeals
No, they are not rules. They are authoritative
interpretations and explanations of the rules.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Start
(The boat, not the race)
• A boat starts when she crosses the
starting line after the starting signal
and after complying with rule 30.1 if
it applies.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Tack, Starboard or Port
A boat is on the tack
corresponding to her
windward side.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Zone
•
The area around a mark within a distance of
three hull lengths of the boat nearer to it.
•
A boat is in the
zone when any
part of her hull is in
the zone.
Obstructions no
longer have
zones.
•
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Definitions
Zone
• The three-length
zone is not
necessarily a circle.
It’s an area around
a mark that is less
than three hull
lengths from the
perimeter of that
object.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 – When Boats Meet
Preamble of Part 2
Rules of Part 2 apply between boats
that are sailing in or near the racing
area and:
• intend to race
• are racing
• have been racing
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 – When Boats Meet
Part 2 is divided into four sections:
1. Section A – Right of Way
Defines the responsibilities of giveway boats
2. Section B – General Limitations
Defines the limitations on all boats
(right-of-way and give-way)
3. Section C – At Marks and Obstructions
4. Section D – Other Rules
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 – When Boats Meet
Section A – Right of Way
Rule 10 – Opposite Tacks
Port keeps clear of starboard
Rule 11 – Same tack, overlapped
Windward keeps clear of leeward
Rule 12 – Same tack, not overlapped
Clear astern keeps clear of clear
ahead
Rule 13 – Changing tacks by tacking
Boat tacking keeps clear of other
boats
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section A – Right of Way
10 – ON OPPOSITE TACKS
• When boats are on opposite tacks, a porttack boat shall keep clear of a starboard
tack boat.
Port’s Responsibility
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section A – Right of Way
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.
Windward’s
Responsibility
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section A – Right of Way
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.
Astern’s Responsibility
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© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section A – Right of Way
13 – WHILE TACKING
• After a boat passes head to
wind, she shall keep clear of
other boats until
she is on a
close-hauled
Tacking’s
course.
Responsibility
• During this time rules 10, 11
and 12 do not apply.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section A – Right of Way
13 – WHILE TACKING
• … If two boats are subject to
rule 13 at the same time, the
one on the other’s port side,
or the one astern, shall keep
clear.
P
P
S
S
One on other’s port responsibility
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 - When Boats Meet
Section B – General Limitations
Puts limits on the actions of the all boats
including the right-of-way boats as well
as the give-way boats:
• Rule 14 – Avoiding Contact
• Rule 15 – Acquiring Right of Way
• Rule 16 – Changing Course
• Rule 17 – On the Same Tack; Proper
Course
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
14 – Avoiding Contact
• Sailing is not a contact sport
• Even the RoW boat shall avoid contact if
reasonably possible
• The RoW boat may be penalized if there
is contact that causes damage or injury.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
15 – ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY
When a boat acquires right of way, she shall
initially give the other boat room to keep clear,
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
15 – ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY
When a boat acquires right of way, she shall
initially give the other boat room to keep clear,
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
15 – ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY
When a boat acquires right of way, she shall
initially give the other boat room to keep clear,
#2 – Blue becomes RoW rule 11
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
15 – ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY
When a boat acquires right of way, she shall
initially give the other boat room to keep clear,
#2 – Blue becomes RoW rule 11
• YELLOW’s Responsibility at #2 keep clear – rule 11
• BLUE’s Limitation at #2 initially…give room to keep clear – rule 15
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
16 – CHANGING COURSE
16.1 When a RoW boat changes course, she shall
give the other boat room to keep clear.
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© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
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,
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
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, …
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
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
Proper
Course
on the same tack and
overlapped with that
distance,
unless … she promptly sails astern of the other boat
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section B – General Limitations
17 – ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
• Old rule 17.2 has been removed from the 2009 –
2012 rules.
• There is nothing in the new rule book that limits
sailing below your proper course.
• Blue can sail as low
as she wants, as long
as she keeps clear
under rule 11.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Summary - Sections A and B
Obligations:
1. Boats on the left (Port) must keep clear of boats on the right
(Starboard) - rule10
2. Boats with wind (Windward) keep clear of boats with less
wind (Leeward) - rule11
3. Boats approaching from astern keep clear of boats ahead –
rule12
4. Boats changing tacks keep clear of boats on a tack - rule13
Limits and Responsibilities:
1. All boats must avoid contact – rule 14
2. Boats acquiring RoW must give other boats time to respond
– rule 15
3. RoW boats changing course must give other boats time to
respond – rule 16
4. Boats overtaking others from astern don’t have luffing rights
– rule 17
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 – When Boats Meet
Section C – At Marks & Obstructions
• Purpose of the rules is to allow safe
and orderly sailing when boats
converge at marks and obstructions.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
• Significant re-write




Preamble
Rule 18 Mark-Room (Marks only)
Rule 19 Room to Pass an Obstruction
Rule 20 Room to Tack at an Obstruction
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
• Aims
 Reflect how sailors sail today; minimize game
changes
 Shorter & simpler to understand than old rule
 When two boats meet, clear if and how rule
applies
• Principles
 No change or switch off of basic RoW or
Section B
 Minimize exceptions & ambiguities
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Obstruction and one boat hails
for room to tack and avoid?
Obstruction that is not a mark
with a required side?
Obstruction that is a continuing
obstruction?
A mark with a required side
other than a starting mark?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
Yes
Rule 20 applies
Yes
Rule 19 applies
Yes
R18 applies
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Section C Preamble
Section C rules do 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. When rule 20 applies, rules
18 and 19 do not.
- Rule Location
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
18.1 When Rule 18 Applies
 Boats are required to leave a mark
on the same side
 At least one of them is in the zone
 No more “about to round”
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18 DOES NOT apply:
18.1 (a)
18.1 (b)
18.1 (c)
18.1 (d)
between boats on opposite tacks on a
beat to windward,
between boats on opposite tacks when
the proper course at the mark for one
but not both of them is to tack,
between a boat approaching a mark
and one leaving it, or
if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in
which case rule 19 applies.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C –Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.2 (a) – Giving Mark-Room
When boats are
overlapped the
outside boat shall give
the inside boat markroom.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C –Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.2 (b) – Giving Mark-Room
• Blue is clear ahead when
she reaches the zone.
• Yellow is clear astern
when Blue reaches the
zone.
• Yellow shall give Blue
mark-room.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C –Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.2 (c) – Giving Mark-Room
What if the overlap
is broken?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C –Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.2 (c) – Giving Mark-Room
What if the overlap
is broken?
If after Blue enters the
zone she pulls clear
ahead of Yellow, Blue
must continue to give
Yellow mark-room.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Doubt:
• “If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained
or broke an overlap in time, it shall be presumed
she did not.” Rule18.2(d)
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© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.3 Tacking When Approaching a Mark
• Two boat approaching a
mark on opposite tacks.
• One boat is fetching
the mark
• One boat changes tacks
in the zone and as a
result is subject to rule
13 in the zone.
Subject to
rule 13
Fetching
the mark
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
The boat that changes tack inside the zone:
X shall not cause the fetching boat to have to
sail above close-hauled to avoid her
X shall not prevent the fetching boat from
passing the mark on the required side
 shall give mark-room if the fetching boat
becomes overlapped inside her
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.4 Gybing
Three requirements:
1. Two overlapped boats
approaching a mark
2. Inside boat must have the
right-of-way
3. Inside boat must have to
gybe at the mark to sail
her proper course
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.4 Gybing
Turns on: When Yellow enters
the zone
Turns off: At the moment Yellow
gybes
During this time the inside boat
must sail no further from the
mark than she needs to sail her
proper course.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.4 Gybing
• Does not apply at a gate mark.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 18.5 Exoneration
When a boat is taking mark-room to which she
is entitled, she shall be exonerated
• if, as a result of the other boat failing to give her
mark-room, she breaks a rule of Section A
• if, by rounding the mark on her proper course, she
breaks a rule of Section A or rule 15 or 16
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
• Yellow must keep clear, Blue must
give mark-room.
• Yellow is taking mark-room to which
she is entitled.
• Blue breaks rule 18.2. Yellow
breaks rule 11 but is exonerated.
• Yellow must keep clear, Blue must give
mark-room.
• Blue is giving mark-room as required.
• Yellow is taking more room than she is
entitled to, and breaks rule 11. No
exoneration.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
When does rule 18 (requirement to
give mark-room) stop applying?
• Before the mark: when the boat
entitled to mark-room leaves the
zone (rule 18.2(c)).
• After the mark: when the boat
entitled to mark-room no longer
requires it.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 19 Room to Pass an Obstruction
• Rule 19.1 When Rule 19 Applies
– At an obstruction that is not a mark of the
course
– At a continuing obstruction regardless of
whether it is a mark
• No zone around an obstruction
– When one boat reached the point she must
commit to passing on one side or the other of
the obstruction she is at the obstruction.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 19.2 (a) Giving Room at an Obstruction
• A right-of-way boat
may choose to
pass an
obstruction on
either side.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 19.2 (b) Giving Room at an Obstruction
• When overlapped,
the outside boat
shall give the
inside boat room
between her and
the obstruction.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 19.2 (c) Giving Room at an Obstruction
• Continuing obstruction
• Blue is clear astern and
required to keep clear
• The moment Blue
overlaps Yellow, if there
is not room for her to
pass between Yellow
and the obstruction, she
is not entitled to room.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
B
r
e
a
k
w
a
t
e
r
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 19 Exoneration
• Exoneration is only available in
accordance with rule 64.1(c)
• When she has been compelled to break a
rule as a consequence of another boat
breaking a rule
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 20 Room to Tack at an Obstruction
• Rule 20.1 Hailing and Responding
• Rule 20.2 Exoneration
• Rule 20.3 When Not to Hail
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 20.1 Hailing and Responding
 Yellow is
approaching an
obstruction
 Sailing closehauled or above
 Yellow may hail
Blue for room to
tack and avoid
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 20.1(a) Hailing and Responding
1. Yellow hails and
gives Blue time to
respond (there may be
boats to windward of
Blue)
2. Blue either tacks as
soon as possible, or
hails “You tack” and
gives room
3. Yellow tacks as soon
as possible
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 20.3 When Not to Hail
• A boat shall not hail unless safety
requires her to make a substantial
course change to avoid the obstruction.
• She shall not hail if the obstruction is a
mark the hailed boat is fetching.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 20.3 When Not to Hail
• The hailed boat must respond to any
and every hail
– Even if the hail is improper
– If you think the hail is improper,
respond and protest the hailing boat.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 Section C – Marks & Obstructions
Rule 20.2 Exoneration
• When a boat is taking room she is
entitled to under 20.1(b), she shall be
exonerated if she breaks a rule of
Section A or rule 15 or 16.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 – When Boats Meet
Section D – Other Rules
• Rule 21 – Starting Errors; Taking
Penalties; Moving Astern
• Rule 22 – Capsized, Anchored, or
Aground; Rescuing
• Rule 23 – Interfering with Another Boat
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 – When Boats Meet
Rule 23 – Interfering w/ Another Boat
Rule 23.2 – Except when sailing her proper
course, a boat shall not interfere with a boat
taking a penalty or sailing on another leg.
 If you are sailing your proper course and
interfere you do not break rule 23.
 If you are NOT sailing your proper course
and you interfere you break rule 23.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Part 2 During a Race
• How does all this fit together around
the race course?
• How do the rules that apply change
as the situation changes?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Starting Area
• Is Green an obstruction?
• Who has rights?
• What rules apply?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Starting Area
Blue, as leeward right-of-way boat, gets
to decide on which side of Green she
wants to sail.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Starting Area
Does Yellow have rights to ask for room?
Once the blue boat decides to go to leeward of Green:
• Rule 19 applies
 Green is not a mark of the course
• Rule 19.2(b) – Overlapped
 Blue (outside) shall give Yellow (inside) room
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Starting Area
Is Green entitled to room to pass between Blue & Yellow?
• Blue is an obstruction because both Yellow (windward) and
Green (same tack, clear astern)are required to keep clear;
but not a continuing obstruction (definition Obstruction).
• When Green overlaps Yellow and gains right of way she
must give Yellow room to keep clear (rule 15).
• Yellow must keep clear
and give Green room
to pass between her
and Blue if she is able
to when the overlap
begins (rules 11 and 19.2(b)).
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Start
Prior to the starting signal, the boats are approaching the line
to start. What is happening? What rules apply? Who has
rights?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Start – “Barging”
Before the Starting Signal
Section C Preamble – Section C rules (18, 19, & 20) do not apply at a
starting mark surrounded by navigable water
when approaching to start.
Rule 11 – On the Same Tack, Overlapped
• Windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat
Rule 16 – Changing Course
• 16.1 Shall give room to
keep clear
The blue boat must shut the
door before Yellow gets her
bow stuck in to leeward of the
committee boat.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Start – “Barging”
“Barging” can also apply at the pin-end of the
starting line.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Rule 17 at Starting Line
What about after the starting signal?
• How was overlap established?
• Is there a Rule 17 proper course limitation on the
leeward boat?
Before the starting signal Blue has no proper course, but after
the starting signal she does.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Start
The rules that apply change as the situation changes.
Rule 17 – On the Same Tack; Proper Course
Blue (leeward) did not establish the overlap from clear
astern. Blue is not bound by Rule 17 and may sail
above her proper course.
Rule 11 – On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Yellow (windward) shall keeps clear
Rule16 – Changing Course
Blue (RoW)
shall give room
Rule 12 – On the Same Tack, Not
Overlapped
to keep clear
Yellow (clear astern) shall
keeps clear
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Start
The rules that apply change as the situation changes.
Rule 17 – On the Same Tack; Proper Course
Blue (leeward) shall not sail above her proper course.
Before the starting signal she has no proper course,
but after the starting signal she does.
Rule 11 – On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Yellow (windward) shall keeps clear
Rule16 – Changing Course
Blue (RoW)
shall give room
to keep clear
Rule 12 – On the Same Tack, Not
Overlapped
Blue (clear astern) shall
Rule 15 – Acquiring Right of Way
keeps clear
Blue (RoW) shall initially give room
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Start
What is L’s Proper Course?
• After the starting signal, Blue (leeward) may not sail above her proper
course, which, when sailing to windward, is usually close-hauled
(rule17).
• However, in order to pass on
the correct side of the starting
mark, Blue’s proper course
may be to momentarily luff up
to head to wind (definition
Proper Course).
• Yellow must keep clear of Blue (rule 11), but
while Blue is changing course she must give
Yellow room to do so (rule 16).
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Legs
RRS 16.1 protects the keep-clear
boat from unpredictable or lastsecond changes of course by the
right-of-way boat, which would
prevent her from keeping clear.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Legs
So how close is too close?
• On a two lane road when wanting to pass,
it depends…
– Are you driving a race car or a tractor?
– What are you passing?
– What’s coming in the opposite direction?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Legs
So how close is too close?
• In sailboat racing it
also depends on…
–
–
–
–
–
Distance between boats
Speed of boats
Size of boats
Visibility between boats
Angle of convergence
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Mark
• Not overlapped at the zone (3 hull lengths)
• Yellow must give Blue mark-room, which includes
room to gybe at the mark if that is Blue’s proper
course.
• Rule 18 applies until
Blue no longer needs
mark-room from
Yellow.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Mark
Rule 18.3 – Tacking When Approaching a Mark
• Blue and Orange (port) change tack and as a result are
subject to rule 13 in the zone.
• Yellow and Green (starboard) are fetching their mark.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Mark
Rule 18.3 – Tacking When Approaching a Mark
In position 4, Orange luffs above close-hauled
to clear the mark. As a result of her
luff, Green sails above close-hauled
to avoid Orange. Orange breaks
rule 18.3(a).
Rule 11 – Same Tack, Overlapped
Orange is leeward/inside boat.
Rule 13 - While Tacking
Orange passes head to wind and becomes subject
to rule 13 until she reaches a close-hauled course.
Rule 10 – Opposite Tacks
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Mark
Rule 18.3 – Tacking When Approaching a Mark
• One boat (port) changes tack and as a result is subject to
rule 13 in the zone
• When the other (starboard) is fetching the mark
Rule 18.2 does not apply and
instead 18.3(a) does:
• Blue passes head to wind
inside the zone.
• Yellow is fetching the
mark.
• Blue shall not prevent
Yellow from passing the
mark on the required side.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Mark
Rule 18.3 – Tacking When Approaching a Mark
• One boat (port) changes tack in the zone
• When the other (starboard) is fetching the mark
Rule 18.2 does not apply and
instead 18.3(b) does:
• Blue changes her tack inside
the zone.
• Yellow is fetching the mark.
• Blue shall give the Yellow
mark-room to pass the mark
inside her.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Windward Mark
Rule 31 – Touching a Mark
• Rule 31 – While racing, a boat shall not touch a mark that begins,
bounds, or ends the leg of the course on which she is sailing…
• Rule 44.1 – Blue must take a
penalty by promptly sailing
well clear and making one
turn including one tack and
one gybe.
• Rule 44.2 – Blue must keep
clear of other boats while
doing her penalty turn.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Offwind Leg
Position 1: Blue is clear ahead of Yellow
Position 2: If Yellow obtains an inside overlap
between Blue and the shore, is she
entitled to room to pass between them?
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Offwind Leg
• At the moment Yellow obtains the overlap, if
there is enough room for Yellow to sail between
Blue and the shore without any risk of touching
either, Blue must give Yellow room to pass
between her and shore.
• Blue’s obligation continues as long as Yellow
has an inside overlap and they are passing the
continuing obstruction.
• If Yellow needs more
room to miss a point
of land, Blue must
bear off to provide
that room.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Downwind Leg
Rule 17 – On the Same Tack; Proper Course
How was the overlap established?
• Did the leeward boat become overlapped from clear astern
within two of her hull lengths of the windward boat?
What is proper course?
• A course a boat would sail to finish as soon as possible in
the absence of the other boats referred to in the rule using
the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting
signal.
• Different boats may have different proper courses at the
same time.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Downwind Leg
• Blue became overlapped from clear astern and then
luffed above her proper course. The intent was to
make it difficult for
Yellow to stay ahead.
• In the absence of
Yellow, Blue would
not luff.
• Blue broke rule 17.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Downwind Leg
• Blue became overlapped from
clear astern and then sailed
high to go above the slower
gray boats in front of her.
• In the absence of Yellow, Blue
would still sail high of the gray
boats.
• Because she would do this
even in the absence of Yellow,
it is a legitimate proper course.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Downwind Leg
• Yellow established the overlap while more than
two boat lengths away from the blue boat.
• The yellow boat is not limited and may sail up
to head to wind.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Downwind Leg
Position 1: Yellow established the overlap as in the previous slide (not 17)
Position 2: The blue boat luffs hard breaking the overlap.
Position 3: The blue boat bears away causing the overlap to begin again.
The yellow boat does not have to give the blue boat room to
keep clear under rule
15 since she gained
leeward right-of-way
as a result of the blue
boats actions.
Position 4: The yellow boat must
promptly bear away to
her proper course
because she became
overlapped from clear
astern.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Downwind Leg
Position 1: No overlap
Position 2: Yellow becomes overlapped from
clear astern within two boat lengths of
Blue.
Position 3: Yellow gybes to port. They are still
overlapped because they are >90º off
wind, however, rule 17 requires they
remain on the same tack.
Position 4: Yellow gybes back.
Position 5: Yellow may luff. She is not limited by
17. However, rule 15 requires yellow
to initially give the blue boat room to
keep clear. Then as she changes
course yellow, under rule 16.1, must
give blue additional room to keep
clear.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Downwind Leg
In position 3, Blue bears away
creating an overlap. Because Blue &
Yellow are sailing > 90º off the wind,
they are overlapped on opposite
tacks.
In position 4, Blue gybes. As soon as
her boom crosses centerline Blue &
Yellow are immediately overlapped on
the same tack.
Blue can luff to head to wind, but must
give Yellow room to keep clear, under
both rule 15 and rule 16.1.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Leeward Mark
Yellow (starboard) is on
the opposite tack and
well behind Blue (port),
but Yellow has an inside
overlap when Blue
enters the zone.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Leeward Mark
Giving Room and Keeping Clear
• Green is the
inside/windward boat.
• She does not have right of
way. Rule 11 does not turn
off.
• Blue and Yellow must give
her space to sail to the mark
in a seamanlike way, and
then space to sail her proper
course around the mark.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Leeward Mark
Giving Room and Keeping Clear
• Green is the
inside/leeward boat.
• She is the right-of-way
boat (rule 11).
• Blue and Yellow must
keep clear of Green and
give her mark-room.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Leeward Mark
Position 1: Yellow (starboard)
is the right-of-way
boat.
Position 2: When Blue enters
the zone, she is
clear ahead of
Yellow. Rule 18.2
(b) now requires
Yellow to give Blue
mark-room.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Leeward Mark
Rule 18.4 requires an inside overlapped right-of-way
boat to sail no further from the mark than needed to
sail her proper course.
• Yellow must gybe at the mark
• Yellow may not luff away from the mark
prior to gybing if that takes her farther
from the mark than her proper course.
• If this is a wing mark then gybing right at
the mark might be Yellow’s proper
course.
• If this is a leeward mark then making a
tactical rounding (swing wide-cut close)
might be Yellow’s proper course.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Leeward Mark
• Green, Yellow and
Blue make it obvious
that Red is outside the
zone.
• Gray is overlapped
with Red.
• Red must give Gray
room to round the
mark.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Finish
• The preamble to Section C turns Rule 18 off at a starting mark, but it
does not turn it off at a finishing mark.
• Rule 18.1(a) turns rule 18 off at a windward mark (including a
windward finishing mark) when the two boats are coming into the
mark on opposite tacks.
• Rule 18.2(b)
requires Yellow
(outside) to give
Blue (inside) markroom.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Finish
• A boat finishes when any part of her hull, or crew or equipment in
normal position crosses the finishing line in the direction of the
course from the last mark…
• After finishing you must clear the finishing line and marks. You
are still racing until you do so.
• You have finished when
you break the plane of the
finishing line. Position 2
for both boats.
• You are still racing until you
have “cleared the finishing line
and marks”. You may clear the line in either direction (rule 28.1).
• What is cleared”? No longer on line at all and well clear of the marks
(Appeal 26). For Blue position 3 and for Yellow at position 4.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Finish
• If you touch a finishing mark before clearing the finishing line,
you must complete a one-turn penalty and then sail completely
to the course side of the line before finishing.
• In this example, Blue completed her gybe (position 4) and
completed her tack (position 9) then re-crossed the finishing
line to finish.
• You can complete your
one-turn penalty
anywhere, but after
completing one tack and
one gybe you must sail
completely to the course
side of the line and then
finish.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
The Finish
Rule 23.1 – If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not
interfere with a boat that is racing.
• Interference is adversely affecting a boat’s forward motion or
maneuverability.
• This applies to both
before or after racing.
• Be careful where you
sail; watch your wind
shadow and physical
presence.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Penalties
Rule 44 Penalties At The Time Of An Incident
• When you break a Part
2 rule, you may
exonerate yourself by
sailing well clear of
other boats as soon as
possible and making
two turns, including two
tacks and two gybes.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association
Summary
2009 – 2012 Part 2 Rule Changes
• Clearer time when mark-room rule begins to apply, clearer rules
for who is right-of-way and who has to give room
• At marks, bigger zone means rights and responsibilities are
sorted out earlier, before there’s a problem
• Mark-room obligation applies while inside the zone and sailing
to the mark, as well as when at the mark
• No zones around obstructions - especially important when
obstruction is a right-of-way boat
• At an obstruction that is not a mark, if there is no room & an
inside boat entitled to room can bail out, she must do so &
protest, rather then forcing her way in when clearly no room has
been given
• If someone hails for room to tack, you must tack even if you
think the hail is improper.
Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009)
© 2009 US Sailing Association