BASIC PRINCIPLE - Sportsmanship and the Rules
CASE 31
When the correct visual recall signal for individual recall is made but the
required sound signal is not, and when a recalled boat in a position to hear
a sound signal does not see the visual signal and does not return, she is entitled
to redress. However, if she realizes she is over the line she must return and
start correctly.
CASE 39
Except when it receives a report of a breach of a class rule or of rule 43 from
an equipment inspector or a measurer for an event, a race committee is not required
to protest a boat. The primary responsibility for enforcing the rules lies with
the competitor.
CASE 65
When a boat knows that she has broken the Black Flag rule, she is obliged to
retire promptly. When she does not do so and then deliberately hinders another
boat in the race, she commits a gross breach of sportsmanship and of rule 2,
and her helmsman commits a gross breach of sportsmanship.
CASE 71
A hail is not the ‘sound signal’ required when flag X is displayed.
Answers to questions arising from requests for redress after a procedural error
by the race committee.
PART 1 – FUNDAMENTAL RULES
Rule 1.1, Safety: Helping Those in Danger
CASE 20
When it is possible that a boat is in danger, another boat that gives help is
entitled to redress, even if her help was not asked for or if it is later found
that there was no danger.
Rule 2, Fair Sailing
CASE 27
A boat is not required to anticipate that another boat will break a rule. When
a boat acquires right of way as a result of her own actions, the other boat
is entitled to room to keep clear.
CASE 31
When the correct visual recall signal for individual recall is made but the
required sound signal is not, and when a recalled boat in a position to hear
a sound signal does not see the visual signal and does not return, she is entitled
to redress. However, if she realizes she is over the line she must return and
start correctly.
CASE 34
Hindering another boat may be a breach of rule 2 and the basis for granting
redress and for action under rule 69.1.
CASE 47
A boat that deliberately hails ‘Starboard’ when she knows she is
on port tack has not acted fairly, and has broken rule 2.
CASE 65
When a boat knows that she has broken the Black Flag rule, she is obliged to
retire promptly. When she does not do so and then deliberately hinders another
boat in the race, she commits a gross breach of sportsmanship and of rule 2,
and her helmsman commits a gross breach of sportsmanship.
CASE 73
When, by deliberate action, L’s crew reaches out and touches W, which
action could have no other intention than to cause W to break rule 11, then
L breaks rule 2.
CASE 74
There is no rule that dictates how the helmsman or crew of a leeward boat must
sit; contact with a windward boat does not break rule 2 unless the helmsman’s
or crew’s position is deliberately misused.
CASE 78
A boat may position herself in a tactically controlling position over another
boat and then slow that boat’s progress so that other boats pass both
of them, provided that, if she is protested under rule 2 for doing so, the protest
committee finds that that there was a reasonable chance of her tactic benefiting
her series result. However, she breaks rule 2 if she intentionally breaks another
rule to increase the likelihood of the tactic succeeding.
Rule 3(a), Acceptance of the Rules
CASE 98
The rules listed in the definition Rule apply to races governed by The Racing
Rules of Sailing whether or not the notice of race or sailing instructions explicitly
state that they apply. A sailing instruction, provided it is consistent with
any prescription to rule 88.2, may change some or all of the prescriptions of
the national authority. Generally, neither the notice of race nor the sailing
instructions may change a class rule. When a boat races under a handicapping
or rating system, the rules of that system apply, and some or all of her class
rules may apply as well. When the notice of race conflicts with the sailing
instructions, neither takes precedence.