sailboat racing bfd

Sailing Scoring Notations

This post summarizes the Sailing Scoring Notations / abbreviations that may be found in sailing results and the rules associated with them. Occasionally, you may run across a notation that you don’t remember. We created this summary to help guide you through the notations that you might see.

DNC – Did not compete/start Did not come to the starting area.

Scoring: Scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series.

DNS – Did not start (other than DNC and OCS)

OCS – Did not start, Violated RRS 29.1 – Individual Recall On the course side of the starting line at her starting signal and failed to start, or broke RRS 30.1.

ZFP – Violated RRS 30.2 – Z Flag Rule RRS 30.2: If flag Z has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal.

Scoring: If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall receive, without a hearing, a 20% Scoring Penalty calculated as stated in RRS 44.3(c). She shall be penalized even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If she is similarly identified during a subsequent attempt to start the same race, she shall receive an additional 20% Scoring Penalty. RRS 29.1 still applies.

UFD – Violated RRS 30.3 – U Flag Rule Disqualification under RRS 30.3 RRS 30.3: If flag U has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal.

Scoring: If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, but not if the race is restarted or resailed.

BFD – Violated RRS 30.4 – Black Flag Rule Disqualification under RRS 30.4 RRS 30.4: If a black flag has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal.

Scoring: If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If a general recall is signalled or the race is abandoned after the starting signal, the race committee shall display her sail number before the next warning signal for that race, and if the race is restarted or resailed she shall not sail in it. If she does so, her disqualification shall not be excluded in calculating her series score.

SCP – Scoring Penalty applied Could be RRS 44.3 , appendix T, appendix V, or something in the Sailing Instructions

NSC – Did not sail the course

DNF – Did not finish

RET – Retired

DSQ – Disqualification

DNE – Disqualification (other than DGM) not excludable under RRS 90.3(b) RRS 90.3 (b): When a scoring system provides for excluding one or more race scores, any score that is a Disqualification Not Excludable (DNE) shall be included in a boat’s series score.

Scoring: Disqualification in a race is not an excludable score.

RDG – Redress given

Scoring: Depends on redress provided by the Race Committee.

DPI – Discretionary penalty imposed RRS 64.6: Discretionary Penalties – When a boat reports within the protest time limit that she has brokena rule subject to a discretionary penalty, the protest committee shall decide the appropriate penalty after taking evidence from the boat and any witnesses it decides are appropriate.

Scoring: The notation ‘[DP]’ in a rule means that the penalty for a breach of the rule may, at the discretion of the protest committee, be less than disqualification.

STP – Standard Penalty A penalty often shown in the Notice of Race (NOR) or Sailing Instructions (SIs) for minor violations. Examples include failing to check in with safety personnel upon return from the race course or to turn in a Race Tracker.

Scoring: As noted in the instructions.

TLE – Time Limit Expired A special penalty that may be specified for those finishing after a specified time “limit” from the start of the race.

Scoring: As noted in the venue/event instructions.

DFL – Dead F…….. Last

Scoring: Compulsion to spend more time on SailZing.com to improve one’s skills.

Select Rules from the Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024:

RRS 30 – STARTING PENALTIES RRS 30.1 – I Flag Rule If flag I has been displayed, and any part of a boat’s hull is on the course side of the starting line or one of its extensions during the last minute before her starting signal, she shall sail across an extension so that her hull is completely on the pre-start side before she starts.

RRS 30.2 – Z Flag Rule If flag Z has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall receive, without a hearing, a 20% Scoring Penalty calculated as stated in RRS 44.3(c). She shall be penalized even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If she is similarly identified during a subsequent attempt to start the same race, she shall receive an additional 20% Scoring Penalty.

RRS 30.3 U Flag Rule If flag U has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, but not if the race is restarted or resailed.

RRS 30.4 Black Flag Rule If a black flag has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If a general recall is signalled or the race is abandoned after the starting signal, the race committee shall display her sail number before the next warning signal for that race, and if the race is restarted or resailed she shall not sail in it. If she does so, her disqualification shall not be excluded in calculating her series score.

RRS 44.3(c) The race score for a boat that takes a Scoring Penalty shall be the score she would have received without that penalty, made worse by the number of places stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions. When the number of places is not stated, the penalty shall be 20% of the score for Did Not Finish, rounded to the nearest whole number (0.5 rounded upward). The scores of other boats shall not be changed; therefore, two boats may receive the same score. However, the penalty shall not cause the boat’s score to be worse than the score for Did Not Finish.

RRS Appendix T – ARBITRATION

RRS T1 POST-RACE PENALTIES

(a) Provided that RRS 44.1(b) does not apply, a boat that may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 or RRS 31 in an incident may take a Post-Race Penalty at any time after the race until the beginning of a protest hearing involving the incident.

(b) A Post-Race Penalty is a 30% Scoring Penalty calculated as stated in RRS 44.3(c). However, RRS 44.1(a) applies.

(c) A boat takes a Post-Race Penalty by delivering to the arbitrator or a member of the protest committee a written statement that she accepts the penalty and that identifies the race number and where and when the incident occurred.

NOTE: Refer to the current Racing Rules of Sailing and/or Notice of Race (NOR) and Sailing Instructions (SIs) for updated rules, requirements and penalties.

Thank you to John Porter, Lake Beulah Yacht Club member & certified race official, for input on this list.

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Race Signals 2021-2024: Summary, Quiz, and Worksheet

Read our SailZing Racing Rules of Sailing Articles for explanations and diagrams/ animations of the racing rules.

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G-whizz Elan 340

Elan 340 sail boat, sail racing abbreviations.

This is a list of around 280 abbreviations and acronyms that you may find in sail racing documentation including; Sail Race Results, Notices of Race and Sailing Instructions.

List of Racing Abbreviations: Code What does it mean # "No Data":- Data is missing (or questionable) from the results system. [x] [x.y] ">(x) (x.y) [x] [x.y] "Discarded":- The race score inside the brackets is not included in series results. Normally the race score is dropped as per Sailing Insructions. e.g. [2] or [2.5] 2H "Two Handed":- Racing in a division limited to only 2 crew members. 2IC "Second In Charge". ">A "Mediated or Arbitrated Protest Result":- Result of protest determined by mediation or arbitration between the parties without going to full protest hearing. ABDn "Race Abandoned":- The race has been abandoned and will not be re-run. ABN "Race Abandoned":- The race has been abandoned and will not be re-run. ABP "Associated British Ports". AHC "Allocated Handicap":- The handicap allocated before the start of the next scored race. AIS "Automated Identification System":- A system that transmits a boat's position to all boats' in VHF range so that those boats are aware of the transmitter's position. AMS "Australian Measurement System":- A handicap based on physical measurements. AP "All Purpose":- Generally in conjunction with a handicap system e.g. ORC AP. AP "Answering Pennant Code Flag":- This signal flag is used to indicate a postponement or delay to (generally) the race start. ARB "Arbitrated Protest Result":- Result of protest determined by arbitration between the parties without going to full protest hearing. AS Yardstick "Australian Sailing Yardstock":- A handicap system to allow for mixed fleet racing especially Small catamarans and Dinghies, also including small keel boats, based on measurments handicapping systems. ASBA "Australian Sports Boat Association". AVE "Average Points Given":- Average points awarded as apposed to actual scored points, e.g. a boat that failed to finish due to them providing assistance to another. May also exist where a boat's division is changed during a series. AVG "Average Points Given":- Average points awarded as apposed to actual scored points, e.g. a boat that failed to finish due to them providing assistance to another. May also exist where a boat's division is changed during a series. AVS "Angle of Vanishing Stability":- The angle from the vertical at which a boat will no longer stay upright but will capsize. B "Bettered":- Tie broken by one boat bettering another. (No I don't understand this either). Maybe the same as Tie (see below). B "Black Flag Disqualification":- RRS 30.4 (Black flag). Disqualification for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under black flag conditions. BCE "Back Calculated Elapsed Time":- The difference between a boat's actual elapsed time and the theoretical elapsed time needed to achieve the same corrected time as the winning boat. BCH "Back Calculated Handicap":- A calculated handicap that would have resulted in all boats having the same corrected time for the race. BCR "Back Calculated Rating":-The handicap a boat would have needed to achieve the same corrected time as the winning boat. BCT "Base Corrected Time":- The elapsed time used to determine the BCH. BCYS "Back Calculated Yardstick":- The corrected time divided by the standard boat time and multiplied by its own yardstick. As in AS Yardstick for dinghies. BDS "BeiDou":- Globall Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) - China. BFD "Black Flag Disqualification":- RRS 30.4 (Black flag). Disqualification for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under black flag conditions. BID "Boat Identification":- Used in event entry systems to give a boat a unique identification. BOM "Bureau of Meteorology":- An Australian Government Agency for producing (Amongst other things) weather forecasts. BOW "Bow Number":- A number fixed to the bow of a boat, normally allocated by the Organising Authority (OA) to a boat without a sail number, eg. A charter boat. BSF "Time on Distance":-Handicap process. (e.g. anticipated seconds a boat takes to travel one Nautical Mile). C "Casual Entry":- Boat not entered into the entire series. Possibly does not collect series points or affect other competitors' points. C "Did Not Compete":- Entered for the race but did not show up to the start area. CBCH "Clamped Back Handicap":- Same as BCH but with preset limits on the amount of adjustment from the AHC. CBH "Class based Handicap":- A Handicap developed to allow boats from various classes to compete against other. CHC "Calculated Handicap":-The handicap that will be applicable to the next race. CL "Class":- Class or Division the boat is competing in. COG "Course Over Ground":- The actual direction of a boat relative to the Earth's surface which may be different to its heading. COLREGS "International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea". Cor'd T "Corrected Time":- Elapsed time after application of handicap. CR "Class Rules":- Rules applicable to a specific Class or design, esp. One design. CRF "Classic Rating Formula":- Handicap system for classic yachts. CT "Corrected Time":- Elapsed time after application of handicap. CV "Committee Vessel":- Normally seen at the starboard end of the start line and/or at the port end of the finish line, it may also be any vessel performorming functions related to the ruuning of the race eg. Setting marks. D "Disqualification":- (other than DGM). Not Excludable under rule 90.3. DBP "Duty Boat Points":- Club specific points for a boat that undertakes Club duties in place of racing . DFL "Dead (Expletive deleted) Last":- Self explanatory. Not an official acronym but heard around the bar of Sailing Clubs. DGM "Disqualified":- Disqualified under RRS 69.1. (Gross Misconduct). DH "Double Handed":- Racing in a division limited to only 2 crew members. DidNot "Did Not Receive a logical Score":- Reason for a boat receiving a score greater than the number of finishers e.g. DNF, DSQ, etc. Div "Division":- Description of or the number of the Division the boat is competing in. Div No "Division":- Description of or the number of the Division the boat is competing in. DNC "Did Not Compete":- Entered for the race but did not present to the start area. Alternate - "Did Not Come". DND "Disqualification Not Discarded":- The Disqualification race points score cannot be excluded (dropped) from the series score. DNE "Disqualification Not Excluded":- The Disqualification race points score cannot be excluded (dropped) from the series score. DNF "Did Not Finish":- Not too sure of the difference to Retired (RET) . Could it be that the boat retired due to a conscious decision made by the Skipper as opposed to not finishing due to external factors. Eg mechanical failure. Refer also Time Limit Exceeded (TLE). DNS "Did Not Start":- Was at the starting area but did not start. DOG "Distance Over Ground":- Distance over the ground, measured point to point, in nautical miles. DP "Discretionary Penalty":- A breach of a rule (Generally in the Sailiing Instructions) notated "DP" may attract a penalty at the discretion of the Race Committee. DP "Discretionary Penalty":- A discretionary penalty applied by the Race Committee which could be positive or negative. DPI "Discretionary Penalty":- A discretionary penalty applied by the Race Committee which could be positive or negative. D-PN " Dixie Portsmouth Number":- The handicap value as calculated by the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) handicapping system As recognised by United States Sailing Association. DQ "Disqualified":- Will mostly be heard being used by Sail GP broadcast commentators. DR "Derived Rating ":- Resultant Handicap as derived from the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) for classes/designs not covered by the Measured rating (MR). DR "Development Rule":- World Sailing (WS) process to publish a new Racing Rule for "Temporary Testing". DSC "Digital selective calling":- A standard for transmitting digital messages via Marine radio. It is a core part of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. DSQ "Disqualified":- Reason for the disqualification should be noted somewhere in documentation. DTF "Distance To Finish":- Distance for the subject boat to go to the finish, measured along the shortest possible course. DTG "Distance To Go":- Distance for the subject boat to go to the finish, measured along the shortest possible course. DTL "Distance to Lead(er).":- The difference between the leader's Distance to go (DTG) and the subject boat's DTG. DUT "Duty Crew":- Points awarded to a boat that was unable to compete due to their duty crew responsibilities. E "Event Specific Penalty":- As defined in the event documentation. ECA "Ensign Class Association". ECS "Electronic Chart System":- An electronic charting system. EHC "Event Handicap":- Based on the performance of a particular boat. The initial EHC handicap reflects previous/known performance for the boat or the type of boat. Elapsd "Elapsed time":- Boats time from race start time to the boats finish time. ENP "Event Nominated Penalty":- As defined in the event documentation. EPIRB "Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon" ERS "Equipment Rules Of Sailing". ESP "Event Specific Penalty":- As defined in the event documentation. EST "Estimated". ET "Elapsed time":- Boats time from race start time to the boats finish time. ETA "Estimated Time of Arrival". ETO "Elapsed Time Order":- The order of finishing based on elapsed time. ETord "Elapsed Time Order":- The order of finishing based on elapsed time. EXC "Race Results Excluded":- The results of a particular race are exclude for all boats. F "Did Not Finish":- Not too sure of the difference to Retired (RET) . Could it be that the boat retired due to a conscious decision made by the Skipper as opposed to not fiishing due to external factors. Eg mechanical failure. Refer also Time Limit Exceeded (TLE). Fin Tim "Finish Time":- Finish time at time of day. as opposed to elapsed time. Fleet "Fleet":- Subject boat's situation overall (in the Fleet), irrespective of Class/Division. G "Redress Given":- Points awarded to a boat that due to exceptional circumstances achieved a result worse than the points given. E.G. provided assistance to another boat in difficulty. GLONASS "Global Navigation Satellite System":- a Global Navigation System (GNSS) -Russia. GMDSS "Global Maritime Distress and Safety System":- System for Automated Emergency Signal Communication. GNSS "Global Navigation Satellite System":- E.g. GPS, GLONASS. etc. GPH "General Purpose Handicap":- Based on predicted seconds/mile. GPS "Global Positioning System":- A Global Navigation System (GNSS) - USA. GSC "Galileo":- a Global Navigation System (GNSS) - EU. H "Did not sail course":- Boat finished the race but did not sail the correct course. H1 "One Hull":- Foiling catamaran sailing with one hull in and one hull out of the water. Will mostly be heard being used by Sail GP broadcast commentators describing a boat that is not foiling. H2 "Two Hulls":- Foiling catamaran sailing with both hulls in the water. Will mostly be heard being used by Sail GP broadcast commentators describing a boat that is not foiling. HC "Handicap". HC "Wind Handicap":- A system that is a multi-number extension of the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) system to account for varied boat performance across a range of wind and sea conditions to correct elapsed times. HCAP "Handicap". HF "High Frequency Radio". HPS "Handicap Points Score":- Points awarded based on handicap performance. I "Discretionary Penalty":- A discretionary penalty applied by the Race Committee, could be positive or negative. IDM "Inner Distance Mark":- A Mark associated with the start line, it could be a mark to protect the committee vessel (Sometimes called a Barging Buoy) or (especially) where the start line is defined by transits. It is not part of the start line but must be passed on the specified side. IJ "International Juror". ILCA "International Laser Class Association". ILM "Inner Limit Mark":- A Mark associated with the start line, it could be a mark to protect the committee vessel (Sometimes called a Barging Buoy) or (especially) where the start line is defined by transits. It is not part of the start line but must be passed on the specified side. IMA "International Maxi Association". IMO "International Maritime Organisation". IMOCA "International Monohull Open Class Association". IMS "International Measurement System":- A handicap based on physical measurements. IMSAR "International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue":- IMSAR Manual is a manual for the operation of Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue. IOR "International Offshore Rule":- A handicap based on physical measurements. IPH "Initial Provisional handicap". IRC "International Racing Conference":- A handicap based on physical measurements. Adminitered by 'Union Nationale pour la Course au Large' (UNCL) from France and 'Royal Offshore Racing Club' (RORC) from Britaim. IRC TPR "International Racing Conference - TP52 Rating":- Unique to TP52 One design boats, calculate using the boat's IRC handicap and adjusted for boat age, crew age and number and crew professional status. IRNSS "Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System":- a Global Navigation System (GNSS) -India. IRO "International Race Officer". IRPC "“Individually Rated Production Class":- In PHRF where a production model boat has been modified or does not otherwise fall within the definition of a standard production model. IRPCAS "International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea". IRPCS "International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea". ISAF "International Sailing Federation":- (Now known as "World Sailing"). ISO "International Organization for Standardization". ISYR "International Superyacht Rule". ITMA "International 12 Meter Association". JAM "Jib and Main Only":- Boats restricted to conventional headsail and main only. Spinnakers not be allowed. KB "Keel Boat". L "Late Entrant":- Boat joined series after first race. LB "Laid Buoy":- A temporary buoy laid by the Race Committee as a mark of the Course. LBCHD "Limited Back Handicap Discard":- Same as BCH but discarded when the variation to AHC is greater than preset limits. LBCHL "Limited Back Handicap Lower":- Same as BCH but with preset limits on the amount of Lower adjustment. LBCHU "Limited Back Handicap Upper":- Same as BCH but with preset limits on the amount of Upper adjustment. LH "Hull Length":- Used in some handicap measurement system documentation. LH "Line Honours". LM "Laid mark":- A mark laid out by (generally) the race committee to act as a mark of the course. LM "Leeward Mark". LOA "Length Overall". LTP "Long Term Performance":- Performance based handicap system for sports boats. LWL "Length at Waterline" M "Disqualified":- Disqualified under RRS 69.1. (Gross Misconduct). M(n) "Mark (Insert number here)":- A mark of the Course. M1 "Mark One":- A mark of the Course. M2 "Mark Two":- A mark of the Course. MCCF "Mixed Class Correction Factor":- applies to fleets containing multihulls and monohulls or sailboards and monohulls. MED "Mediated Protest Result":- Result of protest determined by mediation between the parties without going to full protest hearing. MMSI "Maritime Mobile Service Identity":- Is a unique nine digit number that is entered into certain marine radio communications equipment. MOB "Man Over Board". MOCRA "Multihull Offshore Cruising and Racing Association". MPZ "Moving Prohibited Zone":- A moving zone that entry into is prohibited. E.g the exclusion zone surrounding a moving ship or Passenger Ferry> MR "Measured Rating":- Resultant Handicap as derived from the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY). MSA "Maritime Safety Act". N "Event Specific Penalty":- As defined in the event documentation. NCL "No Crew List ":- This Boat has failed to submit an accurate Crew List . NER "No Entry Received":- Subject boat did not enter for this particular race. NET "Net Series Score":- The sum of all race scores in a series less any scores dropped (scores that are not counted). NHC "National Handicap for Cruisers":- Based on the boat's previous performances. NJ "National Juror". NM (nm) "Nautical mile":- One Nautical mile approximates 1,852 meters. NOC "National Olympic Committee". NOD "No Declaration":- A declaration form has not been submitted within the required time frame. These declarations could include compliance or post race declarations, or declaration(s) as specified in the Sailing Instructions. Generally a penalty will apply. NOR "Notice of Race". NP "Non Point score":- A race that is part of a series but does not contribute to the score of that series. NP "Not Protest":- A boat may not protest another boat that is in breach of a rule (Generally in the Sailing Instructions) that is notated with (NP). NS "Non Spinnaker":- Boats racing in a division where spinnakers are not permitted. NTC "Notice To Competitors". NSC "Did not sail course":- Boat finished the race but did not sail the correct course. O "On Course Side" :- Over the line at the start. Or broke RRS 30.1 (I Flag) Start conditions. Alternate - "On Course at Start". OA "Organising Authority". OCS "On Course Side" :- Over the line at the start. Or broke RRS 30.1 (I Flag) Start conditions. Alternate - "On Course at Start". OD "One Design". A form of racing where all boats are virtually identical or similar in design. Each One Design class will have its own set of specification rules. ODM "Outer Distance Mark":- A Mark associated with the start line, it could be "Pin End" and part of the start line or (especially) where the start line is defined by transits it is not part of the start line but must be passed on the specified side. OffSet "Off Set Time":- The waiting period or offset which is subtracted from the finish time to work out the elapsed time, Generally applicable to pursuit stars. The subject boat's pursuit start handicap sutracted from its finish time equals its actual elapsed time. OLM "Outer Limit Mark":- A Mark associated with the start line, it could be "Pin End" and part of the start line or (especially) where the start line is defined by transits it is not part of the start line but must be passed on the specified side. OMR "Offshore Multihull Rating". "Offshore Multihull Rule":- A measurement based handicap system for multihulls. Same Acronym interpreted differently by various organisations. ONB "Official Notice Board". OOD "Officer Of the Day". ORA "Officer Of the Day".Offshore Racing Association". ORC "Off Shore Racing Conference". ORC AP "Off Shore Racing Conference - All Purpose":- A measurement based handicap rating system. For handicapping boats in all except Winward Leeward races. ORC DH "Off Shore Racing Conference - Double Handed":- A measurement based handicap rating system. For handicapping boats competing in Double Handed divisions. ORC WL "Off Shore Racing Conference - Windward Leeward":- A measurement based handicap rating system. For handicapping boats in Windward Leeward races. ORCc "Off Shore Racing Conference - Club":- A measurement based handicap rating system. Based on honesty self measurement. ORCi "Off Shore Racing Conference - International":- A measurement based handicap rating system. ORR "Off Shore Racing Rule":- A measurement based handicap rating system. ORR EZ "Off Shore Racing Rule":- A measurement based handicap rating system with algorithms to recognise performance differences in points of sail, e.g. Reaching Vs running, running vs beating etc. OSR "Offshore Special Regulation(s)". OTB "Off The Beach":- Normally associated with dinghy classes where the boats are launched off the beach". OTL "Ouside Time Limit":- Finished outside of the time limit applicable to that race. OV "Overall":- Subject boat's situation overall, irrespective of Class/Division. OWC "Off Wind Course":-Part of the PHRF rating system, is used when the anticipated course majority off wind. P "Port":- Normally associated with a course mark - leave to port. P "Protest pending". PBH "Performance Based Handicap":- Based on the boat's previous performances. PBO "Poor Bloody Owner". Normally relate to the weight (or lack thereof) of the owners wallet. PCS "Polar Curve Scoring":- Yachts of different designs have different time allowances depending on weather conditions and course configuration. PD "Percentage Difference":- The percentage difference between AHC and BCH. PF "Performance Factor":- The BCYS divided by the boat's class yardstick. As in AS Yardstick for dinghies. PFD "Personal Flotation Device":- Life Jacket. PHRF "Performance Handicap Racing Fleet":- Handicap system based on the previous performances of all boats of a particular class, design or Model. PHRF-xx "Performance Handicap Racing Fleet" "xx":- xx = the abbreviation of the local PHRF jurisdiction. E.g. LO = Lake Ontario, NB = Narragansett Bay, NE = New England. USA location list here ussailing.org/competition/offshore/phrf/phrf-fleet-contact-directory PHS "Performance Handicap System":- Based on the boat's previous performances relative to the performance of other boats. PiC "Person in Charge" PLB "Personal Locator Beacon". PMR "Pacific Multihull Rating"- Resultant Multihull Handicap as derived from the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY). PN "Portsmouth Number":- The handicap value as calculated by the Portsmouth Yardstick handicapping system (PY). POB "People On Board". Alternate - "Persons On Board". Alternate - "Pax On Board". Alternate - "Personnes à Bord". Alternate - "Persone a bordo". (Take your pick - Sorry got carried away). PP "Protest Panel". PRO "Principal Race Officer". PTL "Protest Time Limit":- The time window available for lodging of a protest. PY "Portsmouth Yardstick":- A empirical handicap system first developed in (believe it or not) Portsmouth. Q "Disqualified":- Reason for the disqualification should be noted somewhere in documentation. QZNS "Quasi-Zenith Satellite System":- A Global Navigation System (GNSS) -Japan. R "Race". R "Retired":- Not too sure of the difference to DNF however in Motor racing a competitor is scored RET while the race is still in progress and DNF after the event is finished. R "Race Number":- Indicates the race number in which this boat broke a series score tie. e.g. R3 RAF "Retired After Finishing". RC "Race Committee". RCB "Race Committee Boat". RCD "Recreactional Craft Directive":- Boats covered by the Directive are required to comply with specific ISO standards. RD "Race Director". RDG "Redress Given":- Points awarded to a boat that due to exceptional circumstances achieved a result worse than the points given. E.G. provided assistance to another boat in difficulty. RET "Retired":- Not too sure of the difference to Did Not Finish (DNF) . Could it be that the boat retired due to a conscious decision made by the Skipper as opposed to not finishing due to external factors. Eg mechanical failure. Refer also Time Limit Exceeded (TLE). RIB "Rigid Inflatable Boat". RLC "Random Leg Course":-Part of the PHRF rating system, is used when the anticipated course is neither windward/Leeward or majority off wind. Rn "Race Number":- Indicates the race number in which this boat broke a series score tie. e.g. R3 RO "Race Officer". RORC "Royal Offshore Racing Club":- A British Club that manages IRC from Britain, see also UNCL. RR "Racing Rule". RRS "Racing Rules of Sailing":- Or to those that like to remember before electronic publishing; The Blue Book (In Australia). RTD "Retired":- Not too sure of the difference to Did Not Finish (DNF) . Could it be that the boat retired due to a conscious decision made by the Skipper as opposed to not finishing due to external factors. Eg mechanical failure. Refer also Time Limit Exceeded (TLE). RYA Yardstick "Royal Yachting Association Yardstock":- A handicap system to allow formixed fleet racing especially Small catamarans and Dinghies, also including small keel boats, based on measurments handicapping systems. S "Did not start":- Was at the starting area but did not start. S "Score":- Indicates the score value that this boat received as a tie breaker. Boats with equal series scores but whose hierarchy is determined by a count back system indicated in SIs. E.g the boat with the most 1st paces etc. May also be used to indicate the individual race score that determined the result of the count back. e.g. 1S 1.5S S "Starboard":- Normally associated with a course mark - leave to starboard, SAR "Search and Rescue". SBT "Standard Boat Time":- The corrected time for the first boat on corrected times to sail a proper course. Alternatively, a consistently sailed boat finishing in the top five of the fleet, on corrected time, can be taken as the standard boat . As in AS Yardstick for dinghies. SC "Scoring Penalty Applied":- Penalty applied, generally withaut an a hearing e.g. entering the restricted start entry before a boat's appropriate tine. SCD "Safety Compliance Declaration". SCHRS "Small Catamaran Handicap Rating System":- A handicap based on physical measurements for small catamarans. SCP "Scoring Penalty Applied":- Penalty applied, generally withaut an a hearing e.g. entering the restricted start entry before a boat's appropriate tine. SCP "Scoring Penalty Taken":- Rule 44.3. SER "Safety Equipment Requirements". SER "Single Event Rating". Sers "Series". SI "Sailing Instructions". SIN "Sailing Australia Number". SIs "Sailing Instructions". SKED "Schedule":- E.g time(s) of scheduled reporting of position. SML "Stone Motherless Last":- Not an official acronym but often heard around the bar at Sailing Clubs. Maybe a declaration that victory has many parents but defeat has none. SMS "Short Message System":- Better known as a text on on a mobile (cell) phone. SMS "Sport Boat Measurement System". A handicap based on physical measurements. SOG "Speed Over the Ground":- The speed the boat is moving relative to the surface of the earth. SOLAS "International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea":- A International maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standard. SOP "Sign On/Sign Off Penalty":-This Boat did not Sign On/Sign Off . SORC "Southern Ocean Racing Conference". SP "Scoring Penalty":- A Breach of a rule notated "SP" may attract a penalty without a hearing. SP "Standard Penalty". SPIN "Spinnaker":- Spinnakers allowed. As apposed to Jib and Main Only (JAM). SR "Special Regulations":- The regulations dictating the equipment required on a boat to be legal to race, generally published with the RRS. SSS "Safety and Stability Screening":- A base value for the boat is calculated from the boat's dimensions and rated parameters. STCW "Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping":- A comprehensive set of international regulations that determine the qualifications and certifications required of seafarers. STIX "Stability Index". STP "Standard Penalty":- Penalty applied (normally not an on-water incident) due to an infringement that was specified the NoR or SIS, could include not reporting to officers pre/post race or not returning equipment e.g. a tracker. STW "Through The Water". T "Tie broken":- Tie broken by one boat having more of a particular score. E.g firsts. T "Time Limit Exceeded":- Finished outside of the time limit applicable to that race. TCC "Time on Time Handicap". TCF "Time Correction Factor":- Handicap value to determine corrected time. TD "Time Difference":- difference in time between fastest corrected time and subject boat's corrected time. TES "TopYacht Entry System":- Entry system that is part of the TopYacht race scoring system. TES-BID "TopYacht Entry System - Boat Id". TH "Two Handed":- Racing in a division limited to only 2 crew members. Tie(s) "Scoring Tie(s)":- Indicates boats with equal series scores but whose hierarchy is determined by a count back system indicated in SIs. E.g the boat with the most 1st paces etc. May also be used to indicate the individual race score that determined the result of the count back. TLE "Time Limit Exceeded":- Finished outside of the time limit applicable to that race. TLP "Time Limit Penalty":- Penalty applied to boats that failed to finish within a specified tile after the first boat to finish. TOD "Time on Distance":-Handicap process. (e.g. anticipated seconds a boat takes to travel one Nautical Mile). TOT "Time on Time Handicap". TPR "TP52 Rating":- Unique to TP52 One design boats, calculate using the boat's IRC handicap and adjusted for boat age, crew age and number and crew professional status. TS "Traffic Separation". TSS "Traffic Separation Scheme". U "U Flag Disqualification":- RRS 30.3 (U flag). Disqualification for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under"U" flag conditions. UFD "U Flag Disqualification":- RRS 30.3 (U flag). Disqualification for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under"U" flag conditions. UNCL "Union Nationale pour la Course au Large":- A French Club that manages IRC from France, see also RORC. US Yardstick "United States Sailing Yardstock":- A handicap system to allow formixed fleet racing especially Small catamarans and Dinghies, also including small keel boats, based on measurments handicapping systems. USSA PN "United States Sailing Association Portsmith Number":- A handicap system to allow formixed fleet racing especially Small catamarans and Dinghies, also including small keel boats, based on measurments handicapping systems. USSER "US Safety Equipment Regulations". UTC "Universal Time Coordinated":- UTC (A time Standard) is the time at the time zone known as Greenwich Mean Time. V "Average Points Given":- Average points awarded as apposed to actual scored points, e.g. a boat that failed to finish due to them providing assistance to another. May also exist where a boat's division is changed during a series. VHF "Very High Frequency Radio":- Often expressed as VHF channel 77, VHF Ch 77 or VHF 77. Vis "Visitor":- Possibly does not collect series points or affect other competitors' points. VMC "Velocity Made on Course":- Speed of a boat projected on the theoretical route. VPP "Velocity Prediction Program":- Used in ORC and others to predict a yacht's performance. Vs "Visitor":- Possibly does not collect series points or affect other competitors' points. VTS "Vessel Traffic Service". W "Duty Crew":- Points awarded to a boat that was unable to compete due to their duty crew responsibilities. W/L "Windward/Leeward". WL "Windward/Leeward". WM "Windward Mark". WRS "Weather Routing Scoring": A factor that alters a boats handicap based on the forecast weather conditions and the boats forecast performance in those weather conditions. X "Race Results Excluded":- The results of a particular race are excluded for all boats. XWL "Wrong Finish Line":- Subject boat finished on the wrong finsh line. Y "Scoring Penalty Taken":- Rule 44.3. YB "YB Tracker":- A propriety global tracking system. Originally known as "Yellow Brick". YOB "Year Of Birth". YTC "Yacht Time Correction":- A simple measurement based handicap system. Z "Z Flag Penalty":- RRS 30.2 (Z flag). 20% PENALTY for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under Z code flag conditions. ZFP "Z Flag Penalty":- RRS 30.2 (Z flag). 20% PENALTY for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under Z code flag conditions.

This list came about from those occasions when we looked at the results of a yacht race or a regatta and have seen an abbreviation or an acronym and wondered what those Sail Racing Abbreviations meant, we would google “what does ??? mean in sailing”, the results of which were sometimes a bit obscure others easier, a list started from there, we hope it is of some value to you.

Many of these Racing Abbreviations are self explanatory, however on some occasions they can be somewhat (actually quite) obscure, leading us to wonder just what does ??? mean in sailing, It almost appears that at times the PRO (Look it up) puts in abbreviations or anagrams in an attempt to show their audience that they know more about the subject than the reader. At other times and quite sensibly these abbreviations and anagrams are just a way of saving space in a results table and/or publication time.

This list may be a little “AussieCentric” as that is where we live and take most interest in race results, also one of the resources used was the Top Yacht Scoring system that is popular with clubs in Australia. There are a few different acronyms  and  abbreviations in sailing that appear to have the same meaning, there are also a few sail racing abbreviations and sail racing acronyms that have differing meanings, this is probably due to differing scoring regimes in different jurisdictions, they may have subtly different meanings.

Please feel free to contact us with any comments or suggestions regarding  this list.

• Guidance and good practice

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Authority and responsibility

Rule 90.3(a) gives the race committee responsibility for scoring a race or series. The rule stipulates that the race committee “shall” do so as provided in Appendix A unless the notice of race or the sailing instructions specify some other scoring system. Because the rule allows for other scoring systems to be specified, if that is done it is not a rule change. Furthermore, if no other system is specified, the Appendix A Low Points System and the other parts of Appendix A are the default systems and need not be specified.

Rule 44.3(c) states how a Scoring Penalty is to be calculated and the way in which such scores are integrated into the race scoring. All the other rules relating to scoring are included in rule 90 and Appendix A.

Methodology

Most scoring is dealt with by various, widely available, computerised systems. While, therefore, organising authorities and race committees do not need to be fully conversant with the details, they do need to understand the principles of scoring in order to ensure that the program or manual system being used does score the race or series as they require.

Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions

Except for a single-race event, the notice of race or the sailing instructions must state the number of races scheduled and the number required to be completed to constitute the series (rule A1). The number of discards to be allowed need not be stated, in which case the default value is one excluded race score (rule A2.1). If the number of discards is different, then this must be stated in the notice of race or the sailing instructions.

The Notice of Race Guide and the Sailing Instructions Guide are available on the World Sailing website for downloading and provide the wordings to be used covering various alternatives. The wordings are identical and need only to appear in one of the two documents.

Basic information

The basic data used for scoring is a boat’s finishing position in a race.

In a non-handicap race this will be the boat’s place when crossing the finish line in compliance with the definition Finish. In a handicap race the boat’s finishing position will be determined from her corrected time under the rating or handicap system used for the race (the ‘class rules’ under (d) in the definition Rules ), (rule A3).

However, a boat’s eventual finishing position in a race may be changed by:

• decisions of the race committee to score boats OCS, ZFP, UFD, BFD, SCP, NSC, DNF or RET; or
• decisions of the protest committee in protest or redress hearings (rule A5).

Note that the race committee must give a finishing place to every boat that starts, sails the course and finishes as defined. Only a protest committee can score a boat DSQ, DNE, RDG or DPI except under rule 78.2 which requires the race committee to DSQ a boat.

When a boat is disqualified or retires after finishing, each boat finishing behind her is moved up one place (rule A6.1). Where a boat is given redress which adjusts her score, the position of other boats does not change unless the protest committee directs to the contrary (rule A6.2).

Race scoring

Place points.

The Low Points System of Appendix A gives each boat starting and finishing and not thereafter retiring or being penalised or given redress, a score of the number of points corresponding to her finishing position (i.e. first – 1 point, second – 2 points, etc.) (rule A4).

If two (or more) boats are tied in a race, because they could not be separated on the finish line or their corrected times are identical, the points for the tied position and the one(s) after it are added together and each boat receives an equal share of the total (rule A7). The rule also specifies that if there is a race prize for the tied position the boats shall share it or be awarded equal prizes.

When there is a large entry for an event and each race is sailed in flights or groups and the results combined, there will, initially, be at least two boats with the same race score for each place. These do not rank as ties to be broken.

Redress points

If a boat is granted redress by the protest committee by adjusting her score for a race, the adjustment may be in various forms. Rule A9 gives three possible ways of making such an adjustment:

• Points equal to the average, to the nearest tenth of a point (0.05 to be rounded upward) of her points in all the races in the series except the race concerned;
• Points equal to the average, to the nearest tenth of a point (0.05 to be rounded upward) of her points in all the races before the race concerned; or
• Points based on the boat’s position in the race at the time of the incident that justified redress.

Race committees should check that their chosen scoring system implements A9(a) and A9(b) correctly by including all races, including subsequently discarded race(s), in the averaging calculation. The same worst score(s) will be excluded after it/they have been used to find the average. Some older programs do not do this, which is over-generous in the redress it gives.

However, these forms of adjustment are advisory only and a protest committee may vary them or give redress in any other form it so decides.

Any redress score should be annotated RDG in the results.

Unplaced and Penalty Points

There are a number of circumstances (listed in rule A10) in which a boat’s score in a race is not her place or redress score. Rule A5 provides two alternative ways of scoring some of these; rule A5.2 being the applicable rule unless the notice of race or sailing instructions state that rule A5.3 applies. Rule A5.3 is more suitable to be used for a series of races spread over a number of weeks or longer (e.g. club racing points series) in order to deal with boats entering during the series and/or a large number of discards being allowed in the series scoring.

SCP : Use of the Scoring Penalty must be specified in the event notice of race or sailing instructions for it to be available. Where available, the penalty is to make a boat’s finishing place points worse (i.e. more) by the number of places stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions, but when no number is stated it is 20% of the score for Did Not Finish rounded to the nearest whole number (0.5 rounded upwards) but cannot be worse than the score for DNF. Scores of other boats are not changed.

DNC : A boat that is entered in the series but does not come to the starting area for a race, is scored one more than the number of boats entered in the series.

This score can be difficult to determine in a long series and boats may enter during the series. A possible, commonly used, solution to this problem is to change rule A5.3 by a sailing instruction giving a fixed, but deliberately high, score for DNC, which not only enables races to be accurately scored from the beginning of the series but also is an incentive for sailors to turn out for as many races as they can. If no change is made to rule A5.3, earlier races will have to be rescored as new entrants come into the series.

DNS, OCS, NSC, DNF, UFD and BFD : These are statements of judgements by the race committee and may arise from a variety of reasons, including boats not finishing within the time limit if one is stated in the sailing instructions. RET is a notification to the race committee by a boat that she has retired from the race and may be made during the race or after finishing.

These are all scored one more than the number of boats entered in the series (rule A5.2), unless rule A5.3 is invoked for the series when the score is one more than the number of boats that came to the starting area for that race.

ZFP : Also, a judgement by the race committee. The penalty is a scoring penalty as described above. It is 20% of the score for DNF unless the sailing instructions state another percentage (and it is not a rule change to do so). More than one ZFP can be incurred by a boat in one race (where there is one or more restarts), but the boat’s race score cannot be made worse than the score for DNF.

DSQ and DNE : These decisions, together with RDG and DPI , can only be made by the protest committee (rule A5.1). These disqualifications are both scored one more than the number of entries in the series under rule A5.2 or one more than the number of boats that came to the starting area under rule A5.3. A DNE score cannot be excluded in calculating the series score.

DPI : A discretionary penalty score will be whatever is specified by the protest committee – see RYA guidance on discretionary penalties .

Series scoring

A boat’s series score is the total of her race scores excluding her worst race score (rule A2.1). The number of discards allowed may be varied by the sailing instructions, one discard being the default number. However, if a boat is scored DNE (Disqualification that is Not Excludable) in a race, that score may not be discarded (rule 90.3(b)) and the next worst score is excluded instead.

Many events specify, in the notice of race or sailing instructions, that the number of discards increases as more races are completed. A race is completed when it is scored; and a race must be scored provided that it is not abandoned and if one boat sails the course and finishes within the time limit, if any, even if she retires after finishing or is disqualified (rule 90.3(a)). It is theoretically possible that no boat is scored for a finishing place but the race is ‘completed’ for series purposes.

If a boat has two or more equal worst scores, it is the one for the race(s) sailed earliest in the series to be excluded (rule A2.1). However, because of changes made previously to the tie-breaking rule the result will be exactly the same if it were not the earlier worst score that was excluded.

Tie-breaking

When boats have equal total scores for the series rule A8 provides a two-step system for breaking such ties.

The first process requires the scores (N.B. not places) of the tied boats to be listed in ascending order (i.e. best to worst) and not including any discarded scores. These lists are then compared and at the first point of divergence the tie is broken in favour of the boat(s) with the better (best) score(s) (rule A8.1).

This rule (A8.1 – frequently known as the ‘most firsts rule’) breaks the tie in favour of Boat C. The tie between Boats A and B cannot be broken by this rule because it does not use the discarded races’ scores. [It would be broken in favour of Boat B on the basis of the scores in the last race].

If, after applying rule A8.1, some boats remain tied, that tie is broken in favour of the boat(s) with the better score(s) in the last race, even if that is a discarded score in the series total. Should that not break the tie(s) the scores in the next-to-last race are used, and so on until all ties are broken (rule A8.2).

Normally the last-race scores will break all remaining ties. However, it is possible that two or more boats may have equal scores in the last race because some boats have received a scoring penalty – hence the provision to use earlier races’ scores until all ties are broken.

As Appendix A is open to amendment by sailing instructions, it is possible to have alternative tie-breaking procedures if required.

It is good practice to publish the results and scores of races and the series-to-date as soon as possible after each race. Such results should be annotated ‘provisional’ or/and ‘subject to protest’ and show the date and time at which they were published. The advantage to the race committee in publishing the results and scores promptly is that it enables competitors to view them as soon as possible and query any scores with which they take issue. Rule 90.3(c) provides that when the race committee determines that it has scored a boat incorrectly it shall correct the error and publish the revised results and scores without the matter having to go to a redress hearing. Many events include a ‘scoring query’ procedure in order to deal with such matters quickly.

Finalising the result

Rule 90.3(e) allows an Organising Authority to set a time limit after which the score for a series, including a single-race series, may not be altered. This time limit rule must be stated to apply in the notice of race and the time limit is 24 hours after:

• the protest time limit for the last race of the series;
• being informed of a protest committee decision after the last race of the series; or
• the results are published.

The 24 hours may be changed to a different time period in the notice of race and, because the rule allows such a change, doing so does not constitute a rule change.

This time limit, at an event at which rule 90.3(e) is applied, applies to all score-changing actions except those resulting from a decision under rules 6 (World Sailing Regulations), 69 (Misconduct) and 70 (Appeals and Requests to a National Authority), and, thus, provides a clear finalisation of the event.

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Scoring Boats NSC

• National Judge
• Regional Race Officer

Introduction

• Club Race Officer
• National Race Officer

How the race committee should perform its new obligations

• National Umpire
• Regional Judge
• Umpire In Training

I can see this leading to competitors not protesting a boat for sailing the wrong course citing that it is now the RC's job to police that.

Case 39 Sportsmanship and the RulesRule 60.2 (a), Right to Protest; Right to Request Redress or Rule 69 Action A race committee is not required to protest a boat. The primary responsibility for enforcing the rules lies with the competitors.

IMO sailing should stick to being a self policing sport. 

• Judge In Training
• International Race Officer

New obligations of the race committee

Maybe better to refer to circumstances in which reliable rounding records exist and note the obligation of RCs to consider them where they do? I say “reliable” because without taking issue with your basic premise that a new duty is created for the RC, I’m a little worried that a flawed rounding list in a big fleet could, by itself, be the cause of an NSC finish.

I’d respectfully suggest a slight reworking of the language around the RC’s “accepted responsibility” to record mark roundings, only because I don’t know that RCs often formally do that. Maybe better to refer to circumstances in which reliable rounding records exist and note the obligation of RCs to consider them where they do?.

• That race committees don't often formally station mark-boats and record mark-roundings?  or
• That they don't understand that by doing so they are accepting a responsibility?

 it would be prudent to ask under what conditions will the RC score a boat NSC?

• The race committee has sufficient evidence to prove that the boat has not sailed the course.
• The race committee lacks sufficient evidence and is on a crusade to punish 'rule-breakers'.
• The race committee lacks sufficient evidence and succumbs to pressure (from OA, competitors, elsewhere).
• The race committee makes a mistake about the nature or quality, or interpretation of the evidence that it has.

For RC to score a boat NSC, it has to have information/evidence that contradicts any one of the above requirements. How it collects such information/evidence is the domain of the RC and must be clearly demonstrable to a boat scored NSC contesting the NSC score.

This requires the RC to produce such clear and uncontested facts. Anything short of that, it will be contested.

 W ill that lead to increase in the number of hearings, the opposite to the desired outcome? There is a chance that it may.

• Some instances will be easy (eg., a race officer watched a boat cut a corner, round a wrong mark, inadvertently unwind the string around a mark, etc., and fail to correct their error).
• I share with Sue and others, though, the belief that a report from a competitor (or even more than one) is more appropriately the subject of a protest (with witnesses) if it’s not well supported by other evidence already in the RC’s possession. I submit that it’s good not to require a hearing for something the RC is sure of, but it’s not good to persuade the fleet that it can ignore whether or not everyone has sailed the course because that enforcement is exclusively the RC’s problem. Appendix P is frequently necessary, but it dilutes the competitor enforcement that I value in sailing, so one Appendix P - style requirement is enough, in my view.
• It seems to me that unless the confidence of those taking rounding information is absolute that their information is accurate (and we should be very mindful of our ability to make clerical mistakes), a boat’s absence from a rounding list shouldn’t be enough to “prove” an NSC breach on its own. Cause to begin a further investigation? Certainly - verifying unexplained changes in position or timing (if timing is recorded) after the mark in question, asking the competitors who rounded other marks near the missing boat if they remember that boat at the mark in question, etc., but I’d want more proof than just a gap in a rounding list in many circumstances.

Protest committee considerations

• The race committee has sufficient evidence to prove that the boat has not sailed the course.  
• Fleet Measurer
• Penalties by the race committee without a hearing have been around for a very long time.  While there are some cases about rule A5 (including cases about not sailing the course), none of these addresses the processes of the race committee.
• Nothing in the rules requires the limited and prescriptive approach you advocate.
• The stated intent of the rule change was to reduce the procedural requirements, not to increase them.
• The drafters and approvers of the rule change considered the risk of wrong decisions, and were satisfied that access to the redress process was a sufficient guard against this risk.
• Experienced race officers already successfully use the Scoring Review Request process, including statements from other competitors to review rule A5 scores.

I suggest that until such time as we begin to see protests and appeals about NSC, we should not attempt to add to the procedural requirements of race committees.

This is different from the gateway in rules 60.2, 3 and 4 subparagraph (a) about initiating protests.

• Mark boat’s (part of RC) initial report leads to an RC determined score of NSC
• Scoring inquiry initiates a discussion with mark-boat
• Mark boat amends initial report indicating boat corrected her course
• RC determines from its own observations that it made a scoring error, and corrects it. 
• A passes Mark 1 to Starboard (incorrectly)
• A passes Mark 1A to Port (correctly)
• A passes Mark 1 to port (correctly) heading downwind
• A passes Mark 1 to port (correctly) heading upwind
• A passes Mark 1A to port (correctly)

• separates beating boats from running boats at the mark (as does a Lateral Offset)
• deters rule 18.3 tacking in the zone incidents,
• deters gybe-sets (which a race committee might think desirable for sym spinnaker boats, but doesn't seem problematical for Stars).

Direct Observation The reasons for the introduction of NSC in Submission 139-18 indicate that the primary intention was to expedite the scoring of boats that the race committee directly observed to have not sailed the course.  The race committee may, however, score boats NSC in any other circumstance where it has evidence that proves the matter.

Care and caution Race committees should score a boat NSC only when there is clear evidence that proves that a boat has not sailed the course. Race committees should beware of mistakes, and desirably obtain more than one source of evidence, for example, mark-rounding lists, significantly inconsistent finishing time or place, or incidental observations on the water by the race committee or judges, before scoring a boat NSC.

Interesting that you have included observations from judges.  If judges are on the water, they will typically have decided what to do if they see an infraction. A boat not sailing the course or hitting a mark, when no other boat is in a position to see the infraction, are two incidents that judges may decide to protest when witnessed.

Otherwise, they are out to just “observe” the racing ... . 

I’m not sure how I feel about judges sharing information with the RC so that they can score NSC.  Since the PC can protest a boat, a judge has a more direct avenue and this maintains independence between the PC/RC. 

Maybe it’s nothing and wouldn’t cause issues … it’s just got my Spidey-Senses tingling. 

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