| Uncle Al's note: Changes or additions in the 2025-2024 Rules, are given in red on my site. |
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INTRODUCTION The Racing Rules of Sailing includes two main sections. The first, Parts 1–7, contains rules that affect all competitors. The second, the appendices, provides details of rules, rules that apply to particular kinds of racing, and rules that affect only a small number of competitors or officials. Terminology A term used in the sense stated in the Definitions is printed in italics or, in preambles, in bold italics (for example, racing and racing).
Other words and terms are used in the sense ordinarily understood in nautical or general use. Notation The notation ‘[DP]’ in a rule means that the penalty for a breach of the rule may, at the discretion of the protest committee, be less than disqualification. Guidelines for discretionary penalties are available on the World Sailing website. Revision The racing rules are revised and published every four years by World Sailing, the international authority for the sport. This edition becomes effective on 1 January 2025 except that for an event beginning in 2024 the date may be postponed by the notice of race and sailing instructions. ... No changes are contemplated before 2025, but any changes determined to be urgent before then will be announced through national authorities and posted on the World Sailing website. Appendices When the rules of an appendix apply, they take precedence over any conflicting rules in Parts 1–7 and the Definitions. 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’). The letters I, O and Q are not used to designate appendices in this book. full intro text here |
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| BASIC PRINCIPLES The Basic Principles
shall not be changed. SPORTSMANSHIP AND THE RULES Competitors in the sport of sailing are governed by a body of rules that they are expected to follow and enforce. A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated she will promptly take an appropriate penalty or action,which may be to retire. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY Participants are encouraged to minimize any adverse environmental impact of the sport of sailing. |
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Part 1
Fundamental Rules |
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| 1 SAFETY 1.1 Helping Those in Danger A boat, competitor or support person shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger. 1.2 Life-Saving Equipment and Personal Flotation Devices A boat shall carry adequate life-saving equipment for all persons on board, including one item ready for immediate use, unless her class rules make some other provision. Each competitor is individually responsible for wearing a personal flotation device adequate for the conditions. |
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| 2 FAIR SAILING A boat and her owner shall compete in compliance with recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play. A boat may be penalized under this rule only if it is clearly established that these principles have been violated. The penalty shall be a disqualification that is not excludable. |
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| 3 Decision to Race The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone. |
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| 4 Acceptance of the Rules 4.1 (a) By participating or intending to participate in a race conducted under these rules, each competitor and boat owner agrees to accept these rules. (b) A support person by providing support, or a parent or guardian by permitting their child to enter a race, agrees to accept the rules. 4.2 Each competitor and boat owner agrees, on behalf of their support persons, that such support persons are bound by the rules. 4.3 Acceptance of the rules includes agreement (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; (c) with respect to any such determination, not to resort to any court of law or tribunal not provided for in the rules; and (d) by each competitor and boat owner to ensure that their support persons are aware of the rules. 4.4 The person in charge of each boat shall ensure that all competitors in the crew and the boat’s owner are aware of their responsibilities under this rule. 4.5 This rule may be changed by a prescription of the national authority of the venue. |
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| 5
RULES GOVERNING ORGANIZING AUTHORITIES AND OFFICIALS The organizing authority, a committee
and other race officials shall be governed by the rules
in the conduct and judging of the
event. |
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| 6
WORLD SAILING REGULATIONS 6.1 Each competitor, boat owner and support person shall comply with the World Sailing Regulations that have been designated by World Sailing as having the status of a rule. These regulations as of 30 June 2024 are the World Sailing: ● Advertising Code ● Anti-Doping Code ● Code of Ethics ● Eligibility Code ● Sailor Categorization Code 6.2 The rules of Part 5 do not apply unless protests are permitted in the Regulation alleged to have been broken. |
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