Rules Can be Easy

1
Rules Can be Easy ( Fun)

• Chris Atkins
• RYA Racing Rules Committee
• Team Racing Coach
• updated for 2001-2004 rules

2
Workshop Contents

• 1. The Fundamental Basis of the Rules
• 2. The Logic of the Rules
• 3. Passing Marks Obstructions
• 4. Proper Course
• 5. The Protest Room

3
Fundamental Basis of Rules

• For any pair of boats
• One boat has to keep clear
• the other is right-of-way boat

Wind
Star- board
?
?
A
B
Ill keep clear
4
Fundamental Basis of Rules

• 1. Keep Clear Boat must keep clear
• Boat B keeps clear of boat A if
• A can sail her course with no need to take
  avoiding action
• when overlapped on the same tack, A can change
  course in either direction without there being
  immediate contact
• Course straight line in current direction
• not fastest route, not proper course
• heeling, changing speed and gybing are not
  altering course

?
B
A
?
B
A
I cant luff!

• Keep clear boat doesnt have to do anything else
  she doesnt have to anticipate any action of the
  other boat
• Reference definition of keep clear

5
Fundamental Basis of Rules

• 2. Constraints on right-of-way boat
• R-o-w must keep a good look out (rule 14)
• When r-o-w boat A alters course, she must
  give B room to keep clear (rule 16.1)
• there are no exceptions
• it is the last luff that counts
• plus anti-hunting rule 16.2
• When A acquires r-o-w through her own actions,
  she must initially give B room to keep clear
  (rule 15)
• Room is the space needed (defn of room)
• in the existing conditions - wind, water boat
  type
• while manoeuvring promptly - without any
  unnecessary delay
• in a seamanlike way - competently, with
  regard to safety
• R-o-w boat may also have to give room to a keep
  clear boat at an obstruction or mark (rule 18)

I cant keep clear!
B
?
A
6
Logic of the Rules
Sailing the Course, Penalties, Propulsion (rules
28, 44 42)

• Golden Nuggets
• Everything depends on understanding the
  fundamental basis
• Rule 17 always applies, independent of other
  rules
• Rule 18 includes both
• changes to r-o-w
• giving room

Proper Course (rule 17)
Contact (rule 14), Safety (rule 19)
Room (rule 18)
Exceptions to R-o-w Rule (rule 18)
Basic R-o-W Rules port/starbd etc.,(rules 10 -
13)
Fundamental Basis of Rules (definitions, rules 15
16)
Competitor obligations (rules 1-5)
7
Passing Marks Obstructions (rule 18)
?

• Applies at marks obstructions
• being left on the same side
• when boats are about to pass it
• until they both have passed it
• It does not apply
• at a starting mark when starting
• between boats on opposite tacks on a beat
• It can override basic r-o-w rules
• It never overrides
• rule 14 (contact) - rule 16 (r-o-w changing
  course)
• rule 15 (acquiring r-o-w) - rule 17 (proper
  course)

Room please
A
B
?
A
B
Star- board!
8
Rule 18.2 Fundamental Rule

• When overlapped, outside boat at a mark shall
  give inside boat room except that
• If overlapped at 2 lengths, outside boat must
  give room
• and must also keep clear if she becomes astern or
  inside
• If one boat is clear ahead at 2 lengths, the
  other shall keep clear (and give room if later
  overlapped)
• but if boat clear ahead tacks, this rule stops
  applying
• When r-o-w changes course to round mark, rule 16
  does not apply (the only anticipation reqt in
  rules)
• (If doubt, assume not room only if outside can
  give)
• Note Room here is room on the inside and
  includes room to tack or gybe when part of
  manoeuvre

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Rule 18.3 Special Tacking Rule
You cant do that!

• If boats A B were on opposite tacks
• B completes a tack inside 2 lengths when A is
  fetching the mark
• Rule 18.2 does not apply (i.e. take the mark
  away)
• B shall not
• cause A to sail above close-hauled to avoid her
• prevent A from passing the mark
• shall give room if A becomes overlapped inside
  her

?
B
A
?
B
Im giving room
A
10
Rules 18.4 18.5 Other Provisions
Im gybing

• Gybing
• When inside overlapped r-o-w boat must gybe at
  mark to sail her proper course, she must do
  so close to mark
• Continuous Obstruction
• 2 length rules (18.2b c) dont apply
• When boat astern establishes inside overlap
• she is only entitled to room if there is room to
  pass at the moment the overlap is established
• if not, she must keep clear

Room please!
?
shoreline
11
Rule 17 Proper Course (the only proper course
rule)
Definition One rule (17.1) for leeward
boat One rule (17.2) for windward
boat Windward boat W cant sail below her proper
course if

• Proper course is (after the start) any course you
  could sail (in the absense of the other boat) to
  finish as quickly as possible

• theres a leeward or astern boat within 2 lengths
  aiming to pass to leeward

Dont bear away!
W
?
L
12
Rule 17 Proper Course (the only proper course
rule)
Proper course is (after the start) any course you
could sail (in the absense of the other boat) to
finish as quickly as possible
Leeward boat L cant sail above her proper course
if

• she established the overlap from clear astern
  (unless at that time W was tacking)
• she has been within 2 lengths of W throughout the
  overlap

No luffing rights!
W
?
?
W
L
L
I can luff now
13
Protest Committee Incident

• Ben Ainslie vs Robert Scheidt

• Which of these rules apply?
• 10, 11, 14, 15, 16
• What will Ainslies defence be?
• What will Scheidts defense be?

2
3
2
A1
4
S1
3
5
4
6
7
5
7
6
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Protest Committee Tips

• Prepare your defence and work out your opponents
  defence in advance
• Understand the FACTS that support your defence
  and the RULES that apply
• Present both, clearly and concisely
• Question your opponent where his facts seem
  muddled
• Call witnesses who can corroborate your facts
  (and were in the right position to do so)
• Summarise on the facts and the rules