Bedford Basin Yacht Club
Racing Rules of Sailing Seminar
The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) govern the conduct of yacht racing, dinghy racing and virtually any other form of racing around a course with more than one vessel while powered by the wind. A new revision is published every four years (after the Olympic Games) by the International Sailing Federation, the sport's world governing body. The current edition (2009–2012) came into effect on 1 January 2009, and can be downloaded from the International Sailing Federation website.
The RRS are based on four main right of way rules, three rules about marks and obstructions, and three other rules about starting errors, taking penalties, moving astern and when you are capsized or anchored or run aground and finally about interfering with another boat.
In total there are 90 rules but only 14 rules govern what boats do when they meet on the water. It is not necessary to know all of the rules to race, but a knowledge of the basics will help you gain confidence and positions on the race course.
Come out on the 16th of May and attend this RRS seminar as our own Warren Nethercotte explains the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing. Warren is an ISAF International Judge ans a member of the CYS Judge Sub-Committee.