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 preamles, in bold italics (for example, racing and racing).
Each of the terms in the table below is used in The Racing Rules of Sailing
with the meaning given.
Term | Meaning |
Boat |
A sailboat and the crew on board. |
Competitor |
A person who races or intends to race in the event. |
National authority |
A World Sailing member national authority. |
Race committee |
The race committee appointed under rule 89.2(c) and any other person or committee performing a race committee function. |
Racing rule |
A rule in The Racing Rules of Sailing. |
Technical committee |
The technical committee appointed under rule 89.2(c) and any other person or committee performing a technical committee function. |
Vessel |
Any boat or ship. |
Other words and terms are used in the sense ordinarily understood in nautical or general use.
Hails
A language other than English may be used for a hail required by the rules provided
that it is reasonable for it to be understood by all boats affected. However,
a hail in English is always acceptable.
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 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 2021 except that for an event beginning in 2020 the date may be postponed
by the notice of race and sailing instructions. Marginal markings indicate important
changes to Parts 1–7 and the Definitions in the 2017–2020 edition.
No changes are contemplated before 2025, but any changes determined to be urgent
before then will be announced through national authorities and posted on 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.
World Sailing Regulations
The Regulations are referred to in the definition Rule and in rule 6, but they
are not included in this book because they can be changed at any time. The most
recent versions of the Regulations are published on the World Sailing website;
new versions will be announced through national authorities
Interpretations
World Sailing publishes the following authoritative interpretations of the racing
rules:
• The Case Book – Interpretations of the Racing Rules,
• The Call Books, for various disciplines,
• Interpretations of Rule 42, Propulsion, and
• Interpretations of the Regulations, for those Regulations that are rules.
These publications are available on the World Sailing website. Other interpretations
of the racing rules are not authoritative unless approved by World Sailing in
accordance with Regulation 28.4.
ONLINE RULES DOCUMENTS
World Sailing has established a single internet address at which readers will
find links to all the documents available on the World Sailing website that
are mentioned in this book. Those documents are listed below. Links to other
rules documents will also be provided at that address.
The address is: sailing.org/racingrules/documents.
Document | Mentioned in |
Guidelines for discretionary penalties |
Introduction |
Changes made to these rules after 1 January 2021 |
Introduction |
World Sailing Regulations |
Introduction |
The Case Book |
Introduction |
The Call Books for various disciplines |
Introduction |
World Sailing Regulations with the status of a rule |
Definition Rule (b) |
Interpretations of Rule 42, Propulsion |
Rule 42 |
World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations |
Rule 49.2 |
Equipment Rules of Sailing |
Rule 55 |
Appendix TS, Traffic Separation Schemes |
Rule 56.2 |
Hearing Request and Hearing Decision Forms |
Part 5 Preamble |
Rules for other windsurfing competition formats |
Appendix B Preamble |
Standard Notice of Race for Match Racing |
Appendix C Preamble |
Standard Sailing Instructions for Match Racing |
Appendix CPreamble |
Match Racing Rules for Blind Competitors |
Appendix C Preamble |
Test Rules for Umpired Radio Sailing |
Appendix E Preamble |
Rules for other kiteboarding competition formats |
Appendix F Preamble |
Up-to-date table of national sail letters |
Appendix G |
Notice of Race Guide |
Appendix K Notice |
Sailing Instructions Guide |
Appendix L Notice |
Guidance on conflicts of interest |
Appendix M2.3 |
Guidance on misconduct |
Appendix M5.8 |
World Sailing Judges Manual |
Appendix T Preamble |