presented by the us sailing judges committee (march 2009) © 2009 us sailing association 2009 –...

Presented by the US SAILING Judges Committee (March 2009) © 2009 US Sailing Association

2009 – 2012

Part 2 Presentation

Racing Rules of Sailing

Purpose of the RRS

The rules have several purposes:1. Allow boats to race in tight quarters

without colliding

2. Make racing as fair aspossible

3. Promote safety


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


Definitions

Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlapped



Definitions



Definitions


• Boat Between • Boat NOT Between


Definitions

Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlapped• Same Tack

– These terms always apply to boats on the same tack


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


Definitions Is there an overlap between Blue and Yellow?

Case 1

Case 2


Definitions Is there an overlap between Blue and Yellow?

Case 1

Case 2

Yes, they are on the same tack and neitheris clear astern.

Yes, opposite tacks but sailing more than 90 degrees from the true wind.


DefinitionsIs there an overlap between

Blue and Yellow?

Case 2

Case 1



Blue and Yellow?

Case 2

Case 1

Yes, they are on the same tack and neither is clear astern.

Yes, even though they are on opposite tacks Rule 18 applies.



Blue and Green?

Case 1

Case 2



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.



Blue and Green?



Blue and Green?

No, Yellow is not between Blue & Green


Definitions

FetchingA 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.


DefinitionsWhich boats are

fetching the mark?

Wind


DefinitionsWhich boats are

fetching the mark?

Green & Yellow: Yes

Blue, Pink & Gray: No

Wind


Definitions

Finish

1. Equipment in normal position

2. From direction of the last mark

?


Definitions

When did Blue finish?Position 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5?


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 …


Definitions

Leeward and Windward

• Upwind


Definitions

Leeward and Windward

• Downwind


DefinitionsMark-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.


DefinitionsMark-Room • Room for a boat to sail to the mark,

Must give mark-room from now.

The space needed to sail to the mark to the mark in a “seamanlike “ way.


DefinitionsMark-Room • Room for a boat to

sail to the mark,


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 wide-cut close rounding.


DefinitionsMark-Room • … and then room to sail her proper course while at

the mark.


Once at the mark, entitled to space to sail her proper course around or past the mark.


DefinitionsMark-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.


Definitions

STAYCLEAR

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-boatlength from the object.

3. The size of course changemust be substantial.


Definitions

Obstruction

• A vessel under way, including a boat racing, is never a continuing obstruction.


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


DefinitionsRacing• 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…


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


Definitions

Rule includes:• the rules in the current book (including

Definitions, Signals, Introduction, preambles, and rules of relevant appendices)

• BUT NOT THE TITLES


DefinitionsRule 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)


What about…

? – ISAF CASES

? – US SAILING Appeals

Definitions


What about…

? – ISAF CASES

? – US SAILING Appeals

No, they are not rules. They are authoritative

interpretations and explanations of the rules.

Definitions


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.


Definitions

Tack, Starboard or PortA boat is on the tack corresponding to her windward side.


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.


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.


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



Part 2 is divided into four sections:

1. Section A – Right of WayDefines the responsibilities of give-way boats

2. Section B – General LimitationsDefines the limitations on all boats (right-of-way and give-way)

3. Section C – At Marks and Obstructions

4. Section D – Other Rules


Part 2 – When Boats MeetSection A – Right of WayRule 10 – Opposite Tacks

Port keeps clear of starboardRule 11 – Same tack, overlapped

Windward keeps clear of leewardRule 12 – Same tack, not overlapped

Clear astern keeps clear of clear ahead

Rule 13 – Changing tacks by tackingBoat tacking keeps clear of other boats


Part 2 Section A – Right of Way

10 – ON OPPOSITE TACKS• When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-

tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard tack boat.

Port’s Responsibility



11 – ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED

Windward’sResponsibility

• 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.

Astern’s Responsibility



13 – WHILE TACKING• After a boat passes head to

wind, she shall keep clear of other boats untilshe is on a close-hauledcourse. Tacking’s

Responsibility

• During this time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply.



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.

SS

PP

One on other’s port responsibility


Part 2 - When Boats Meet

Section B – General LimitationsPuts 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


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.



15 – ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat room to keep clear,




#1 – YELLOW is

RoW rule 12




#2 – Blue becomes RoW rule 11




#1 – YELLOW is

RoW rule 12

#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



16 – CHANGING COURSE 16.1 When a RoW boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.


Part 2 Section B – General Limitations17 – 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,


Part 2 Section B – General Limitations17 – 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, …


Part 2 Section B – General Limitations17 – ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE

unless … she promptly sails astern of the other boat

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 with that distance,

Proper Course


Part 2 Section B – General Limitations17 – 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.


Summary - Sections A and B Obligations:1. Boats on the left (Port) must keep clear of boats on the right

(Starboard) - rule102. Boats with wind (Windward) keep clear of boats with less

wind (Leeward) - rule113. Boats approaching from astern keep clear of boats ahead –

rule124. Boats changing tacks keep clear of boats on a tack - rule13

Limits and Responsibilities:1. All boats must avoid contact – rule 142. Boats acquiring RoW must give other boats time to respond

– rule 153. RoW boats changing course must give other boats time to

respond – rule 164. Boats overtaking others from astern don’t have luffing rights

– rule 17



Section C – At Marks & Obstructions

• Purpose of the rules is to allow safe and orderly sailing when boats converge at marks and obstructions.


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



• 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



Obstruction and one boat hails for room to tack and avoid?

Rule 20 applies

Obstruction that is not a mark with a required side? Obstruction that is a continuing obstruction?

Rule 19 applies

A mark with a required side other than a starting mark?

R18 applies

Yes

Yes

Yes



Section C PreambleSection 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


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”




Rule 18 DOES NOT apply:

18.1 (a) between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward,

18.1 (b) between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,

18.1 (c) between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or

18.1 (d) if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.


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 mark-room.



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.



What if the overlap is broken?

Rule 18.2 (c) – Giving Mark-Room



What if the overlap is broken?

Rule 18.2 (c) – Giving Mark-Room

If after Blue enters the zone she pulls clear ahead of Yellow, Blue must continue to give Yellow mark-room.



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)



• 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.

Rule 18.3 Tacking When Approaching a Mark

Subject to rule 13

Fetching the mark



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



Rule 18.4 Gybing

Three requirements:1. Two overlapped boats

approaching a mark2. Inside boat must have the

right-of-way3. Inside boat must have to

gybe at the mark to sail her proper course



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.



• Does not apply at a gate mark.

Rule 18.4 Gybing



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

Rule 18.5 Exoneration


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.



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.



• 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.

Rule 19 Room to Pass an Obstruction



Rule 19.2 (a) Giving Room at an Obstruction

• A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on either side.



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.



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.

Br eakwater

Shore



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



• Rule 20.1 Hailing and Responding• Rule 20.2 Exoneration• Rule 20.3 When Not to Hail

Rule 20 Room to Tack at an Obstruction



Rule 20.1 Hailing and Responding

Yellow is approaching an obstruction

Sailing close-hauled or above

Yellow may hail Blue for room to tack and avoid



Rule 20.1(a) Hailing and Responding1. 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



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.



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.



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.



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



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.


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?


Starting Area

• Is Green an obstruction?• Who has rights? • What rules apply?


Starting Area

Blue, as leeward right-of-way boat, gets to decide on which side of Green she wants to sail.


Starting Area

Once the blue boat decides to go to leeward of Green:

Does Yellow have rights to ask for room?

• Rule 19 applies Green is not a mark of the course

• Rule 19.2(b) – Overlapped Blue (outside) shall give Yellow (inside) room


Starting AreaIs 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 ableto when the overlapbegins (rules 11 and 19.2(b)).


The StartPrior to the starting signal, the boats are approaching the line to start. What is happening? What rules apply? Who has rights?


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 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.

Rule 11 – On the Same Tack, Overlapped

• Windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat


The Start – “Barging”

“Barging” can also apply at the pin-end of the starting line.


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.


The Start

Rule16 – Changing Course Blue (RoW)shall give room to keep clear

Rule 17 – On the Same Tack; Proper CourseBlue (leeward) did not establish the overlap from clear astern. Blue is not bound by Rule 17 and may sail above her proper course.

Rule 12 – On the Same Tack, Not OverlappedYellow (clear astern) shall keeps clear

Rule 11 – On the Same Tack, OverlappedYellow (windward) shall keeps clear

The rules that apply change as the situation changes.


The StartThe rules that apply change as the situation changes.

Rule 17 – On the Same Tack; Proper CourseBlue (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 15 – Acquiring Right of WayBlue (RoW) shall initially give room

Rule16 – Changing Course Blue (RoW)shall give room to keep clear

Rule 11 – On the Same Tack, OverlappedYellow (windward) shall keeps clear

Rule 12 – On the Same Tack, Not OverlappedBlue (clear astern) shall keeps clear


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).


Windward Legs

RRS 16.1 protects the keep-clear boat from unpredictable or last-second changes of course by the right-of-way boat, which would prevent her from keeping clear.


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?


Windward Legs

– Distance between boats– Speed of boats– Size of boats– Visibility between boats– Angle of convergence

So how close is too close?• In sailboat racing it

also depends on…


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.


Windward MarkRule 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.


Windward Mark

Rule 10 – Opposite Tacks

Rule 13 - While TackingOrange passes head to wind and becomes subject to rule 13 until she reaches a close-hauled course.

Rule 18.3 – Tacking When Approaching a MarkIn position 4, Orange luffs above close-hauled to clear the mark. As a result of her luff, Green sails above close-hauledto avoid Orange. Orange breaks rule 18.3(a).

Rule 11 – Same Tack, OverlappedOrange is leeward/inside boat.


Windward 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.

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


Windward 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.

Rule 18.3 – Tacking When Approaching a Mark• One boat (port) changes tack in the zone• When the other (starboard) is fetching the mark


Windward Mark

• 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.

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…


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?


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.


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.


Downwind Leg

• Blue became overlapped from clear astern and then luffed above her proper course. The intent was to make it difficult forYellow to stay ahead.

• In the absence of Yellow, Blue would not luff.

• Blue broke rule 17.


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.


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.


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 gainedleeward 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.


Downwind Leg

Position 1: No overlapPosition 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.


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.


Leeward Mark

Yellow (starboard) is on the opposite tack and well behind Blue (port), but Yellow has an inside overlap when Blueenters the zone.


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.


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.


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.


Leeward Mark

• 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.

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.


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.


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) mark-room.


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 whenyou break the plane of thefinishing line. Position 2for both boats.

• You are still racing until youhave “cleared the finishing lineand 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.


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.


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.


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.


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 2009 –...

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