APPENDIX L - SAILING INSTRUCTIONS GUIDE

This guide provides a set of tested sailing instructions designed primarily for major championship regattas for one or more classes. It therefore will be particularly useful for world, continental and national championships and other events of similar importance. The guide can also be useful for other events; however, for such events some of these instructions will be unnecessary or undesirable. Race officers should therefore be careful in making their choices.

An expanded version of the guide, Appendix LE, is available on the ISAF website (www.sailing.org). It contains provisions applicable to the largest and most complicated multi-class events, as well as variations on several of the sailing instructions recommended in this appendix. It will be revised from time to time, to reflect advances in race management techniques as they develop, and can be downloaded as a basic text for producing the sailing instructions for any particular event. Appendix L can also be downloaded from the ISAF website.

The principles on which all sailing instructions should be based are as follows:

1 They should include only two types of statement: the intentions of the race committee and protest committee and the obligations of competitors.

2 They should be concerned only with racing. Information about social events, assignment of moorings, etc., should be provided separately.

3 They should not change the racing rules except when clearly desirable. (When they do so, they must follow rule 86 by referring specifically to the rule being changed and stating the change.)

4 They should not repeat or restate any of the racing rules.

5 They should not repeat themselves.

6 They should be in chronological order; that is, the order in which the competitor will use them.

7 They should, when possible, use words or phrases from the racing rules.

To use this guide, first review rule J2 and decide which instructions will be needed. Instructions that are required by rule J2.1 are marked with an asterisk (*). Delete all inapplicable or unnecessary instructions. Select the version preferred where there is a choice. Follow the directions in the left margin to fill in the spaces where a solid line ( _____ ) appears and select the preferred wording if a choice or option is shown in brackets ([ . . . ]).

After deleting unused instructions, renumber all instructions in sequential order. Be sure that instruction numbers are correct where one instruction refers to another.

On separate lines, insert the full name of the regatta, the inclusive dates from measurement or the practice race until the final race or closing ceremony, the name of the organizing authority, and the city and country.

   
   
   

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

 

1

RULES

1.1*

The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.

Use the first sentence if appropriate. Insert the name. List by number and title the prescriptions that will not apply (see rule 88). Use the second
sentence if it applies and if entries from other
national authorities are expected, and state the prescriptions in full.

1.2

[The following prescriptions of the _____ national authority will not apply: _____.] [The prescriptions that will apply are stated in full below.]

 

(OR)

 

Use only if the national authority for the venue of the event has not adopted a prescription to rule 88.

1.2

No national authority prescriptions will apply.

List by name any other documents that govern the event; for example, The Equipment Rules of Sailing, to the extent that they apply.

1.3*

_____ will apply.

See rule 86. Either insert here the rule number(s) and state the changes, or, if not using this
instruction, do the same in each instruction that changes a rule.

1.4

Racing rule(s) _____ will be changed as follows: _____.

For example, use ‘two’ when the racing area is particularly small or ‘four’ when the boats
are particularly fast.

1.5

Under rule 86.1(b), in the definition Zone the distance is changed to [two] [four] hull lengths.

Insert the rule number(s) and class name. Make a separate statement for the rules of each class.

1.6

Under rule 87, rule(s)_____ of the _____ class rules [will not apply] [is (are) changed as follows: _____ ].

 

1.7

If there is a conflict between languages the English text will take precedence.

 

Insert the location(s).

2

NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board(s) located at _____.

 

 

Change the times if different.

3

CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted before 0900 on the day it will take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 2000 on the day before it will take effect.

 

4

SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

Insert the location.

4.1

Signals made ashore will be displayed at _____.

Insert the number of minutes.

4.2

When flag AP is displayed ashore, ‘1 minute’ is replaced with ‘not less than _____ minutes’ in the race signal AP.

 

(OR)

 

Insert the number of minutes.

4.2

Flag D with one sound means ‘The warning signal will be made not less than _____ minutes after flag D is displayed. [Boats are requested not to leave the harbour until this signal is made.]’

Delete if covered by a class rule .

4.3

When flag Y is displayed ashore, rule 40.1 applies at all times while afloat. This changes the Part 4 preamble.

 

5

SCHEDULE OF RACES

Revise as desired and insert the dates and classes. Include a practice race if any. When the series consists of qualifying races and final races, specify them. The schedule can also be given in an attachment.

5.1*

Dates of racing:

Date   Class ___   Class ____

____   racing           racing

____   racing           reserve day

____   reserve day   racing

____   racing           racing

____   racing           racing

Insert the classes and numbers.

5.2*

Number of races:

Class Number Races per day

_____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____

One extra race per day may be sailed, provided that no class becomes more than one race ahead of schedule and the change is made according to
instruction 3.

Insert the time.

5.3*

The scheduled time of the warning signal for the first race each day is _____.

5.4

After a long postponement, to alert boats that a race or sequence of races will begin soon, an orange flag will be displayed with one sound for at least four minutes before a warning signal is displayed.

Insert the time.

5.5

On the last day of the regatta no warning signal will be made after _____.

 

Insert the classes and names or descriptions of the flags.

6*

CLASS FLAGS

Class flags will be:

Class Flag

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

 

Insert a number or letter.

7

RACING AREAS

Attachment _____ shows the location of racing areas.

 

8

THE COURSES

Insert a number or letter. A method of illustrating various courses is shown in Addendum A. Insert the course length if applicable.

8.1*

The diagrams in Attachment _____ show the courses, including the approximate angles between legs, the order in which marks are to be passed, and the side on which each mark is to be left. [The approximate course length will be _____.]

 

8.2

No later than the warning signal, the race committee signal boat will display the approximate compass bearing of the first leg.

 

8.3

Courses will not be shortened. This changes rule 32.

Include only when changing positions of marks is impracticable.

8.4

Legs of the course will not be changed after the preparatory signal. This changes rule 33.

9

MARKS

Change the mark numbers as needed and insert the descriptions of the marks. Use the second alternative when Marks 4S and 4P form a gate, with Mark 4S to be left to starboard and Mark 4P to port.

9.1*

Marks 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be _____.

(OR)

9.1*

Marks 1, 2, 3, 4S and 4P will be _____.

Unless it is clear from the course diagrams, list the marks that are rounding marks.

9.2

The following marks are rounding marks: _____.

Insert the descriptions of the marks.

9.3

New marks, as provided in instruction 12.1, will be _____.

Describe the starting and finishing marks: for example, the race committee signal boat at the starboard end and a buoy at the port end. Instruction 11.2 will describe the starting line and instruction 13 the finishing line.

9.4*

The starting and finishing marks will be _____.

9.5

A race committee boat signalling a change of a leg of the course is a mark as provided in instruction 12.2.

 

Describe each area by its location and any easily recognized details of appearance.

10

AREAS THAT ARE OBSTRUCTIONS

The following areas are designated as obstructions: _____.

 

11

THE START

Include only if the asterisked option in rule 26 will be used. Insert the number of minutes.

11.1

Races will be started by using rule 26 with the warning signal made _____ minutes before the starting signal.

(OR)

Describe any starting system other than that stated in rule 26.

11.1

Races will be started as follows: _____. This changes rule 26.

 

11.2*

The starting line will be between staffs displaying orange flags on the starting marks.

 

(OR)

 
 

11.2*

The starting line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the starting mark at the starboard end and the port-end starting mark.

 

(OR)

 

Insert the description.

11.2*

The starting line will be _____.

 

11.3

Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall avoid the starting area during the starting sequence for other races.

Insert the number of minutes.

11.4

A boat starting later than _____ minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start without a hearing. This changes rule A4.

Insert the channel number.

11.5

If any part of a boat's hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line during the two minutes before her starting signal and she is identified, the race committee will attempt to broadcast her sail number on VHF channel _____. Failure to make a broadcast or to time it accurately will not be grounds for a request for redress. This changes rule 62.1(a).

 

12

CHANGE OF THE NEXT LEG OF THE COURSE

 

12.1

To change the next leg of the course, the race committee will move the original mark (or the finishing line) to a new position.

 

(OR)

 
 

12.1

To change the next leg of the course, the race committee will lay a new mark (or move the finishing line) and remove the original mark as soon as practicable. When in a subsequent change a new mark is replaced, it will be replaced by an original mark.

Reverse ␀port’ and ‘starboard’ when the mark is to be left to starboard.

12.2

Except at a gate, boats shall pass between the race committee boat signalling the change of the next leg and the nearby mark, leaving the mark to port and the race committee boat to starboard. This changes rule 28.1.

 

13*

THE FINISH

The finishing line will be between staffs displaying orange flags on the finishing marks.

 

(OR)

 
   

The finishing line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the finishing mark at the starboard end and the port-end finishing mark.

 

(OR)

 

Insert the description.

The finishing line will be _____.

 

14

PENALTY SYSTEM

Include instruction 14.1 only when the Two-Turns Penalty will not be used. Insert the number of places or describe the penalties.

14.1

The Scoring Penalty, rule 44.3, will apply. The penalty will be _____ places.

(OR)

 

14.1

The penalties are as follows: _____.

Insert the class(es).

14.2

For the _____ class(es) rule 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty.

Here and below, use ‘jury’ only when referring to an international jury.

14.3

As provided in rule 67, the [protest committee] [jury] may, without a hearing, penalize a boat that has broken rule 42.

 

(OR)

 

Unless all of Appendix P applies, state any
restrictions.

14.4

Appendix P will apply [as changed by instruction(s)] [14.2] [and] [14.5].

Recommended only for junior events.

14.4

Rule P2.3 will not apply and rule P2.2 is changed so that it will apply to any penalty after the first one.

15

TIME LIMITS AND TARGET TIMES

Insert the classes and times. Omit the Mark 1 time limit and targete time if inapplicable.

15.1*

Time limits and target times are as follows:

Class   Time limit   Mark 1 time limit Target time

_____   _______     _____        _____

_____   _______     _____       _____

_____   _______     _____       _____

If no boat has passed Mark 1 within the Mark 1 time limit the race will be abandoned. Failure to meet the target time will not be grounds for redress. This changes

Insert the time (or different times for different classes).

15.2

Boats failing to finish within _____ after the first boat sails the course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish without a hearing. This changes rules 35, A4 and A5.

 

16

PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS

State the location if necessary.

16.1

Protest forms are available at the race
office[, located at _____]. Protests and
requests for redress or reopening shall be delivered there within the appropriate time limit.

Change the time if different.

16.2

For each class, the protest time limit is 90 minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day.

Change the posting time if different. Insert the
protest room location and, if applicable, the time for the first hearing

16.3

Notices will be posted no later than 30 minutes after the protest time limit to inform com¬petitors of hearings in which they are par¬ties or named as witnesses. Hearings will be held in the protest room, located at _____, begin¬ning at [the time posted] [_____].

 

16.4

Notices of protests by the race committee or [protest committee] [jury] will be posted to inform boats under rule 61.1(b).

 

16.5

A list of boats that, under instruction 14.3, have been penalized for breaking rule 42 will be posted.

 

16.6

Breaches of instructions 11.3, 18, 21, 23, 24, 25 and 26 will not be grounds for a protest by a boat. This changes rule 60.1(a). Penalties for these breaches may be less than disqualification if the [protest committee] [jury] so decides. The scoring abbreviation for a discretionary penalty imposed under this instruction will be DPI.

 

16.7

On the last scheduled day of racing a request for reopening a hearing shall be delivered

   

(a) within the protest time limit if the requesting party was informed of the decision on the previous day;

Change the time if different.

 

(b) no later than 30 minutes after the requesting party was informed of the decision on that day.

   

This changes rule 66.

 

16.8

On the last scheduled day of racing a
request for redress based on a [protest committee] [jury] decision shall be deliv-ered no later than 30 minutes after the
decision was posted. This changes rule 62.2.

Include only if the protest committee is an international jury or another provision of rule 70.4 applies.

16.9

Decisions of the [protest committee] [jury] will be final as provided in rule 70.4.

 

17

SCORING

Include only if the Low Point System is replaced by the Bonus Point System.

17.1*

The Bonus Point System of Appendix A will apply.

 

(OR)

 

Include only if neither of the Appendix A scoring systems will be used. Describe the system.

17.1*

The scoring system is as follows: _____.

Insert the number.

17.2*

_____ races are required to be completed to constitute a series.

Insert the numbers throughout.

17.3

(a) When fewer than _____ races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores.

(b) When from _____ to _____ races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

(c) When _____ or more races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst scores.

 

18

SAFETY REGULATIONS

Insert the procedure for check-out and check-in.

18.1

Check-out and check-in: _____.

 

18.2

A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as possible.

 

19

REPLACEMENT OF CREW OR EQUIPMENT

 

19.1

Substitution of competitors will not be allowed without prior written approval of the [race committee] [protest committee] [jury].

 

19.2

Substitution of damaged or lost equipment will not be allowed unless authorized by the [race committee] [pro-test committee] [jury].. Requests for substitution shall be made to the committee at the first reasonable opportunity.

 

 

20

EQUIPMENT AND MEASUREMENT CHECKS

A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules and sailing instructions. On the water, a boat can be instructed by a race committee equipment inspector or meas-urer to proceed immediately to a desig-nated area for inspection.

See ISAF Regulation 20.3(d). Insert necessary information on the adver-tising material.

21

ADVERTISING

Boats [shall] [may] display advertising supplied by the organizing authority as follows: _____.

Insert the descriptions. If appropriate, use different identification markings for boats performing different duties.

22

OFFICIAL BOATS

Official boats will be marked as follows: _____.

 

23

SUPPORT BOATS

 

23.1

Team leaders, coaches and other support personnel shall stay outside areas where boats are racing from the time of the preparatory signal for the first class to start until all boats have finished or ritired or the race committee signals a postponement, general recall or abandonment.

Insert the identification markings. National letters are suggested for international events.

23.2

Support boats shall be marked with _____.

 

24

TRASH DISPOSAL
Boats shall not put trash in the water. Trash may be placed aboard support and race committee boats.

 

25

HAUL-OUT RESTRICTIONS

Keelboats shall not be hauled out during the regatta except with and according to the terms of prior written permission of the race committee.

 

26

DIVING EQUIPMENT AND PLASTIC POOLS

Underwater breathing apparatus and plastic pools or their equivalent shall not be used around keelboats between the preparatory signal of the first race and the end of the regatta.

Insert any alternative text that applies. Describe the radio communication bands or frequencies that will be used or allowed.

27

RADIO COMMUNICATION

Except in an emergency, a boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile telephones.

If perpetual trophies will be awarded state their complete names.

28

PRIZES

Prizes will be given as follows: _____.

The laws applicable to the venue in which the event is held may limit disclaimers. Any disclaimer should be drafted to comply with those laws.

29

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

 

Insert the currency and amount.

30

INSURANCE

Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of _____ per event or the equivalent.

 

ADDENDUM A

ILLUSTRATING THE COURSE

Shown here are diagrams of course shapes. The boat’s track is represented by a discontinuous line so that each diagram can describe courses with different numbers of laps. If more than one course may be used for a class, state how each particular course will be signalled.

A Windward-Leeward Course

Start – 1 – 2 – 1 – 2 – Finish

ptions for this course include

(1) increasing or decreasing the number of laps,

(2) deleting the last windward leg,

(3) using a gate instead of a leeward mark,

(4) using an offset mark at the windward mark, and

(5) using the leeward and windward marks as starting and finishing marks.

 

A Windward-Leeward-Triangle Course

Start – 1 – 2 – 3 – 1 – 3 – Finish

Options for this course include

(1) increasing or decreasing the number of laps,

(2) deleting the last windward leg,

(3) varying the interior angles of the triangle (45° -90° -45° and 60°
-60° -60° are common),

(4) using a gate instead of a leeward mark for downwind legs ,

(5) using an offset mark at the beginning of downwind legs , and

(6) using the leeward and windward marks as starting and finishing marks.

Be sure to specify the interior angle at each mark.

 


Start – 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 3 – Finish

Start – 1 – 4 – 1 – 2 – 3 – Finish

Trapezoid Courses

Options for these courses include

(1) adding additional legs,

(2) replacing the gate shown by a single mark, or using a gate also in the outer loop,

(3) varying the interior angles of the reaching legs,

(4) using an offset mark at the beginning of downwind legs , and

(5) finishing boats upwind rather than on a reach.

Be sure to specify the interior angle of each reaching leg.

ADDENDUM B

BOATS PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZING AUTHORITY

The following sailing instruction is recommended when all boats will be provided by the organizing authority. It can be changed to suit the circumstances. When used, it should be inserted after instruction 3.

4 BOATS

4.1 Boats will be provided for all competitors, who shall not modify them or cause them to be modified in any way except that

(a) a compass may be tied or taped to the hull or spars;

(b) wind indicators, including yarn or thread, may be tied or taped anywhere on the boat;

(c) hulls, centreboards and rudders may be cleaned, but only with water;

(d) adhesive tape may be used anywhere above the water line; and

(e) all fittings or equipment designed to be adjusted may be adjusted, provided that the class rules are complied with.

4.2 All equipment provided with the boat for sailing purposes shall be in the boat while afloat.

4.3 The penalty for not complying with one of the above instructions will be disqualification from all races sailed in which the instruction was broken.

4.4 Competitors shall report any damage or loss of equipment, however slight, to the organizing authority's representative immediately after securing the boat ashore. The penalty for breaking this instruction, unless the [protest committee] [jury] is satisfied that the competitor made a determined effort to comply, will be disqualification from the race most recently sailed.

4.5 Class rules requiring competitors to be members of the class association will not apply.