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ISAF Introductory Racing Rules

Posted 9 months, 7 days ago

ISAF Introductory Racing Rules
When asked about Yacht Racing and how we actually determine who comes first in a mixed fleet I tend to explain a regatta as follows: Imagine if you will a standard game of rugby to begin with. All the players have specific positions, members of each team wear the same clothes, both teams play to the same set of rules on a playing field that is exactly the same shape and size wherever they play, the goalposts are all the same shape and size and the ball is a standard shape and size. A referee and touch judges direct play and controls stoppages. Yacht Racing, on the other hand takes place along the following lines: Each set of participants on a boat has specific tasks (positions), members of each team wear different clothes, all yachts play to the same set of rules, BUT, these are open to interpretation. All yachts play on a constantly changing playing field in terms of size, shape, weather and distance, which is also open to interpretation. The marks of the course (goalposts) all vary in shape size and colour. All yachts play with a 'ball' (with reference to class, weight and design configurations here) that differs in shape and size from yacht to yacht. As a result of these factors the yacht that actually comes first over the line may NOT be the yacht that wins the regatta. Even in a One Design Class race the final outcome may be determined by the result of a protest by one yacht against another. There are no referees or touch judges on the field of play - each sailor is expected to sail with honour and in a sportsmanlike manner as the judges (referee and touch judges) are on the shore and will only intervene if one yacht protests another. If we, as a yacht racing fraternity want to broaden the appeal of our regattas the clearly what we need is to vastly simplify our rules and fanatically encourage the growth of ONE specific one design yacht. I am thinking that the first step in doing so would be to organise racing according to length - for example 25 to 30 foot boats race in a class and the first over the line is the winner. Over time yachtsmen in this class would naturally gravitate towards the design that wins. But, we also need to simplify the rules so that we lower the fear factor in entering races. In ABYC and clubs dotted around the world there are many sailors who do not enter races simply because they say that they do not know the rules and do not want to look like prize idiots. More often than not these are sailors with many miles under their belt. It pleases me to see that ISAF have recognised the 'complications' within the present Rules booklet and have produced a set of introductory racing rules aimed at the sailor with less than two years experience. The two pager gives enough information to get this sailor racing and covers the most important rights. The Introductory Racing Rules are experimental. ISAF is inviting organizations involved in race training to trial the rules and provide their comments, criticisms and suggestions. The Introductory Racing Rules will be updated as required and the latest version published on the ISAF website. Give us your thoughts in the comments section. Links: ISAF Sail Training Download the Introductory Racing Rules Full Story »

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