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NEWPORT BERMUDA RACE 2026

Photo: Steve Cloutier

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Press Releases
Sailor Spotlight

August 7, 2024

Bermuda Race Collaborates with US Sailing for Review of Safety Incidents

July 9, 2024

The Loss of Solution on Return Delivery

June 29, 2024

Race Wrap Up – Historic 53rd Newport Bermuda Race Concludes with Prize-Giving

June 27, 2024

Navigators’ Forum Recap: Expert Insights and Winning Strategies

The Kids Are Alright: Sailing’s Next Generation Shines at the Newport Bermuda Race

June 26, 2024

A Family Affair: Bonds Between Loved Ones Strengthened in the Newport Bermuda Race

Carina Sails to Victory and into History Books, Summer Storm Takes Gibbs Hill

In Their Own Words: Alliance Skippers Details Rescue

June 25, 2024

Gunga Din Abandons Ship 80 miles off Bermuda, All Crew Safe

June 24, 2024

Update Monday Afternoon: Summer Storm wins Gibbs Hill

June 23, 2024

Updates from the Fleet: Sunday PM

Newport Bermuda Race Update: Weekend Action

Upcoming Bermuda Race Events

There are no upcoming events.

How to Follow the Bermuda Race

Join us in Newport at Fort Adams on June, 21 2024 from 12-4 pm for the Starting Line Party!
Watch the Starting Line Live Show powered by Ørsted right here on bermud9iarace.com
Download the Palm Beach Motor Yachts YB Tracker to follow the fleet to Bermuda
Watch our videos on YouTube
Follow us on Social Media @bermudarace

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or check out our Sponsorship Guide

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Your First Bermuda Race

Learn more about what makes the Newport Bermuda Race so special from its 100+ year history to the legendary sailors who have participated.

Find all you need to know about the race with this guide to walk you through the entry process, planning for inspections, and meeting all the race requirements.

Each year we compile useful information to help competitors prepare the race from shore side logistics to navigational tutorials of the Gulf Stream.

New for 2024!

Starting line party & live show at fort adams.

Friday June 21st

1200 - 1600: Starting Line Party

Doors will open for spectators at Fort Adams State Park at noon with music from The Ravers and Poster Signing with Cole Brauer. Food trucks, the Regatta Bar featuring Goslings Rum and Whalers Beer and New England Fare, and Lawn Games will be open. Helly Hansen and TeamOne Newport will have retail tents open for business, and other sponsors will be there to welcome you as well.

1400-1600: Starting Line Live Show powered by Ørsted

Delivering an immersive viewing experience never done before. Expert commentary in partnership with North Sails from President Ken Read, professional sailor, Jesse Fielding, and first American woman to race around the world solo, Cole Brauer will be accompanied by captivating aerial footage to bring the excitement of the start close-up for those onsite and online. The live stream of the Starting Line Live Show will be on a giant screen in the park and streamed on YouTube.com/BermudaRace .

1400-1600: The Race Begins

The fleet is grouped into classes and starting groups that will cross the line off the western shore of Fort Adams every 10 minutes starting at 1400.

Race Village Attractions:

Live Music from The Ravers (12-1:30)
Poster signing with Cole Brauer (12-1)
Food Trucks
Regatta Bar featuring Goslings Rum and Whalers Beer and New England Fare
Live Broadcast with Commentary on the big screen
Shopping with Helly Hansen and Team One Newport
Sailors for the Sea, The Sailing Museum, and other non-profit booths
US Golf Championship Trophy viewing and putting green
Artillery demonstration
Fort Adams open for tours
Oliver Hazard Perry Tall Ship tours

To receive detailed communications, RSVP for free:

How to Get to Fort Adams:

Free Parking onsite
Bike paths from downtown newport

Seastreak's Providence to Newport Ferry

One hour and ten minutes each way
Departs 9:30a & 12:30p from Providence to Perotti Park in Newport (then take Newport Harbor Shuttle, See below.)
Parking at the ferry terminal in Providence is complimentary and on-site
Departs 6:30 pm from Newport
$24 Round Trip
See seastreak.com to purchase tickets in advance

Jamestown Ferry

Daily leaves Jamestown at 10:30, 12:00, 1:30, and 3:00
Daily leaves Fort Adams 11:30, 1:00, 2:30, and 4:00
$30 all day or $20 one way
See jamestownnewportferry.com for details

Newport Harbor Shuttle

Operated by Oldport Marine
Departs from Perotti Park every 20 min starting at 11:00 am with 6 stops (see map)
$15 hop on hop off all-day

PRESENTING SPONSORS

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Sailing Race Starts

Sailing race start system by dan zwerg, sailing race starts free.

Sailing Race Starts is the ultimate yacht racing starting system. It provides the sound signals to start races and voice countdowns for use on the racing yacht. The Free version contains a limited set of features and options; the Pro version has them all.

Sailing Race Starts works especially well on phones and tablets, and has many features! Here are some of them: 5-minute RRS Rule 26 horn starts, 5-minute RRS Rule 26 gun starts, 3-minute ISSA starts (high school), 3-minute ICSA starts (collegiate), 5-minute voice starts, 5-minute match racing starts, 3-minute voice starts, ISSA 2-minute and 1-minute starts (for practice), ICSA 2-minute and 1 minute starts (for practice), selectable heads-up sound, selectable heads-up time, rolling starts, individual recall, general recall, postpone up, general recall/postpone down, abandon, exact time race began, countdown timer continues in the negative after start to measure time after start and race duration, sound pad for finish sounds (beep and whistle) and all other other needed sounds, quick user presets, and visual cues for flags. All ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing race signals are shown and explained. Voice countdowns include an additional synchronize function.

Sailing Race Starts is the latest development of Dan Zwerg’s proven start system. Dan Zwerg created the sounds and created the program to play the sounds. He is the Director of Technology and coaches sailing at St. Stanislaus College. His experience and passion for sailing in combination with his technology skills led him to put this project together.

You can use this app to start races, of course. Just connect your device to a loudspeaker system via wire or Bluetooth and you are all set. High school and college students can use an Android device and headphones to practice starts over and over. During an actual race, you can play a voice start on your boat synchronized to your race committee’s sound signals. It will count down the time verbally, freeing up a crew member to do more important things. A race committee that is determined to produce sounds manually can use it as an accurate visual and audio timer with beeps at all the right points to remind you to get ready with the flags.

This is a premium app built by an avid sailor, sailing team coach, and race official. You will love it.

Yachting World

Digital Edition

Everything you need to know about the 37th America’s Cup

Follow the build-up to the 37th America’s Cup as the teams prepare to fight it out for the oldest sporting trophy in the world.

Which teams are in the 37th America’s Cup?

In 2021 four teams raced in fully foiling AC75 monohulls which were conceived specifically for the event by then Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.

These same four teams return for the 2024 America’s Cup and will be joined by two additional teams, bringing the total number of entries up to 6.

Emirates Team New Zealand – America’s Cup Defender

As the current holder of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand will be racing again in the 37th America’s Cup. As the Defender, the Kiwis will be guaranteed a spot in the America’s Cup regatta itself.

Any other challengers will need to race each other in preliminary regattas for the right to be the single challenger in the America’s Cup regatta itself.

Emirates Team New Zealand represent the Royal Auckland Yacht Club in America’s Cup racing.

tight racing between the British and the French. Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup

INEOS Britannia – America’s Cup Challenger of Record

The Challenger of Record is the name given to the first yacht club to challenge the holder of the America’s Cup once it has been won.

When Emirates Team New Zealand successfully completed their defence of the America’s Cup in 2021, the Royal Yacht Squadron immediately issued a challenge on behalf of Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Team UK (now called INEOS Britannia), so they are Challenger of Record for the 37th America’s Cup .

INEOS Britannia and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has strengthened an exhausting relationship, with the British challenger standing to benefit from the technical and engineering experience of the multiple World Champion F1 team.

Photo: Job Vermeulen/America’s Cup

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has a very long America’s Cup history having first competed in 2000 and has taken part in every Cup since (with the exception of the unique 2010 Deed of Gift match).

For the 36th America’s Cup Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli were the challenger of record. They also won the challenger selection series so it was this Italian team who took on Emirates Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup itself.

The team will return for the 37th America’s Cup though this time they are not the official challenger of record.

American Magic

In 2021 the New York Yacht Clubs’ American Magic was also competing, though their event was ultimately ruined by a capsize in the early part of the regatta . They did get the boat rebuilt but it never got back up to speed and they made an early exit.

The 2021 campaign marked the return of the New York Yacht Club to the America’s Cup. The NYYC held the America’s Cup from its inception in 1851 right the way through to 1983, when they were defeated by the Royal Perth Yacht Club’s Australia II .

American Magic have confirmed their entry into the 37th America’s Cup and will, once again, be representing the New York Yacht Club.

The Alinghi Red Bull Racing AC75 was first to launch and has one of the most radical hull shapes. Photo: Olaf Pignataro/Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Another team making a return to the America’s Cup scene after a long break will be Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi team. The Swiss team won the America’s Cup in 2003 and then completed a successful defence in 2007.

However, a serious falling out over the potential rules for the next America’s Cup saw Alinghi taken to court by Larry Ellison and his BMW Oracle team, the 2010 America’s Cup was held between Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing in a Deed of Gift match that saw the teams fight it out in huge multihulls.

BMW Oracle won the contest and Alinghi stepped away from America’s Cup racing. Their return is a welcome one and their Cup history alongside their partnership with Red Bull Racing should see them a solid challenge from the off.

Photo: Ian Roman / America’s Cup

Orient Express Racing Team

The French entry to the 2024 America’s Cup was long rumoured but it was not until quite late in the day that they officially announced their intention to challenge.

It was in early 2023 that the official announcement came of a French AC entry, backed by Accor Group and its brands Orient Express and ALL-ACCOR Live Limitless.

As a fairly late challenge they will have a lot to do to be competitive, but they struck a great – and controversial – deal with Team New Zealand to buy their boat design, so should at least have a quick hull underneath them.

What boats are in the 37th America’s Cup

The Protocol for the 37th America’s Cup has been released including the rules for the class of boat to be used in the next edition of the event. Once again the America’s Cup will be raced for in AC75s . These boats were first brought in ahead of the 36th America’s Cup so this will be their second outing.

The foiling monohulls are slightly different, with rules being tweaked partly aimed at improving light wind performance and reducing crew numbers from 11 to 8.

Teams are only be allowed to build one AC75 and nationality rules are strict this time around requiring 100% of the race crew for each competitor to either be a passport holder of the country of the team’s yacht club or to have been physically present in that country for 18 months of the previous three years prior to 17th March 2021.

Emirates Team New Zealand saw success in 2017 in Bermuda with their Cyclors . Having been banned in 2021, these have made a return for the 37th America’s Cup.

Barcelona, the venue for the 37th America’s Cup

Where will the 37th America’s Cup be held?

Barcelona, Spain was selected in 2022 as the venue for the 37th America’s Cup , marking the first time a New Zealand team has chosen to defend a Cup win overseas.

The home city of Emirates Team New Zealand and the venue for the 36th America’s Cup, Auckland, had an exclusive period in which to tender for the regatta immediately after the Kiwis’ successful defence in 2021, but the sums on offer were not enough, and Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton cast the net wider internationally after rejecting a NZ$99 million (£50 million) offer from the New Zealand government.

A number venues were mooted including: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cork, Ireland; Malaga, Spain, but Barcelona eventually won out.

When is the 37th America’s Cup?

The America’s Cup will be held in 2024 in Barcelona. Racing in the 37th America’s Cup Match itself, which is a best of 13 (first to seven) format will start on Saturday 12th October 2024 and could run all the way to the 27th October should all the races be needed to pick a winner.

The America’s Cup will be proceeded by the challenger selection series, which will see which of the five challengers gets the honour to race New Zealand for the Cup itself.

Racing for the Challenger Selection Series – officially the Louis Vuitton Cup, will take place between the 29 August 2024 and 7 October 2024.

Match Racing

Though the America’s Cup was first raced for in 1851 ( and won by the schooner America from which the trophy gets its name), this race was between a fleet of boats. A challenge by the British in the 1870s was also conducted as a fleet race.

By the 1880s, following a protest from the British, the America’s Cup was decided in a head-to-head match race where two boats sail against each other.

Match racing is a particular skill and encourages aggressive manoeuvres using the rules to put your opponent at a disadvantage. This cut-and-thrust racing, where the only objective is to beat your opponent, has long been at the heart of America’s Cup racing and produces a thrilling spectacle.

You can catch all the latest America’s Cup news, analysis and videos right here on Yachtingworld.com

A drift-off and a ‘pointless’ race: Wind doesn’t play ball for the Louis Vuitton Cup Day 2

August 30, 2024

The second day of the Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robbin series – the America’s Cup challenger selection series – took place today Friday 30 August in Barcelona, but it was…

Emirates Team New Zealand withdraw from racing after boat damage

After yesterday’s opening day of racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup – the Challenger Selection series for the America’s Cup in Barcelona – Emirates Team New Zealand reported damage to…

‘The America’s Cup has always been pushing boundaries’ – Matt Sheahan

For a great pub quiz question, when was the first America’s Cup race? The answer to sailing fans is obvious: 1851 in the famous race around the Isle of Wight.…

How to watch America’s Cup challenger series, the Louis Vuitton Cup live streams from anywhere

The America’s Cup Challenger Selection series, the Louis Vuitton Cup will start on Thursday 29 August 2024 and will run through until 7 October 2024 and will see all the…

Unexpected winners: what we learned from the Louis Vuitton Cup Day 1

August 29, 2024

It was not the start that anyone hoped for, for the opening day of racing at the America’s Cup challenger selection series, the Louis Vuitton Cup. Racing was due to…

Arnaud Psarofaghis: Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s 2024 America’s Cup Skipper

Born on the banks of Lake Geneva, Arnaud Psarofaghis, as is the case for many top sailors, comes from a sailing family and he started sailing at the age of…

New Zealand win thrilling America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Final + what we learned from the racing

August 25, 2024

The fourth and final day of racing in the 37th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta 2024 saw very tricky conditions for the foiling AC75 monohulls today, Sunday 25 August. It wasn’t…

One win, one loss for British on Day 3 of America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta

August 24, 2024

The third day of racing for the 37th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta 2024 got underway in 11 knots today in Barcelona providing solid foiling conditions for the AC75 monohulls that…

What we learned from the second day of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta

August 23, 2024

The second day of racing in the 37th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta 2024 got underway in 10 knots with flat water today in Barcelona providing near-perfect conditions for the foiling…

America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Day 1 report: Lessons for teams and organisers alike

August 22, 2024

Nearly four years after we last saw AC75s fighting it out on the water, today, Thursday 22nd August 2024 saw the foiling monohulls back on the water. The six teams…

Dylan Fletcher-Scott Britain’s 2024 America’s Cup skipper

Dylan Fletcher-Scott is no stranger to high-stakes sailing. But even this Olympic gold medalist will be feeling the pressure as one of the two INEOS Britannia skippers alongside one of…

Nathan Outteridge: New Zealand’s 2024 America’s Cup skipper

Nathan Outteridge has become a name synonymous with excellence in competitive sailing and he is now gearing up for one of the biggest challenges of his storied career: leading the…

Peter Burling: New Zealand’s 2024 America’s Cup skipper

In the high-octane, highly competitive world of professional sailing, few names resonate as powerfully as Peter Burling. As the skipper of Emirates Team New Zealand in the 2024 America’s Cup,…

How the America’s Cup weather favours Team New Zealand

August 21, 2024

The Louis Vuitton Challenger Series kicks off at the end of August and runs through to late October. Why so long? Well, the addition of two more teams compared to…

Who will win the 37th America’s Cup?

We admit it, we’re excited. The 37th America’s Cup has all the signs of being a good one. At six teams in total, it may not match the entry numbers…

Alinghi Red Bull Racing suffers another mast failure days before start of America’s Cup racing

August 20, 2024

Alinghi Red Bull Racing have today, Tuesday 20 August, suffered a rig failure when out training on their AC75, just two days before the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta is due…

“At this stage of the America’s Cup, you don’t want to be too comfortable.” – Inside INEOS Britannia

“There’s a moment where you cut the chase boat for the last time and then you’re by yourself. There’s eight of you left to do it. I love that moment.”…

America’s Cup boats: 8 facts about the AC75 and why they’re unique

The AC75 is the class of boat that takes part in the America’s Cup and are arguably the most radical boats the compeition has ever seen. This type of America’s…

Ben Ainslie: “We’re a bit of a dark horse” – America’s Cup countdown

August 16, 2024

It’s one week to go until the first races of the 37th America’s Cup in the AC75. Inside the INEOS Britannia base there is a constant clanging: the AC75 Britannia is in…

WATCH: Will the USA’s Radical America’s Cup Design Choices Pay Off?

August 14, 2024

American Magic’s new AC75, Patriot, has garnered significant attention due to its unique approach. While all the teams are bound by the same set of design rules, it’s the subtle…

IMOCA Route

IMOCA - The Ocean Race 2022-23 visits nine iconic international cities over the six-month period, starting from Alicante, Spain in January 2023 and finishing in Genova, Italy at the end of June.

The start of the 14th edition of The Ocean Race will follow the Reyes holiday period in Spain, and sees the foiling IMOCA fleet departing on a 32,000 nautical mile (60,000 km) race around the world.

The first leg is a 1,900 nautical mile sprint from Alicante to Cabo Verde, the first time the Race has stopped at the African archipelago. Historically, the fleet has sailed past the islands as they head south down the Atlantic. Whilst in Cabo Verde, The Ocean Race will take part in its famed Ocean Week, with a focus on local and international sustainability issues.

Leg 2 will start on 25 January and see the fleet racing across the equator, south to Cape Town, the 12th time the Race has stopped in the southern tip of Africa, making it the most visited stopover in this edition of the event. This will also be the first of three ‘haul-out’ stops, where the boats will be lifted from the water for maintenance.

Next up is a record-breaking leg - the longest racing distance in the 50-year history of the event - a 12,750 nautical mile, one-month marathon to Itajaí, Brazil.

In the finest tradition of The Ocean Race, this leg takes the IMOCA sailors down to the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties of the Southern Ocean. Antarctica is to the right and the fleet will need to pass all three great southern Capes - the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn - to port, without stopping, for the first time.

There will be another extended, haul-out stopover in Itajaí, Brazil, following this epic southern leg before racing resumes heading north, through the doldrums, across the equator and up to Newport, Rhode Island, on the east coast of the United States.

From there, the Race returns to Europe, with a transatlantic leg to Aarhus, Denmark, followed by a Fly-By of Kiel, Germany en route to a stop in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Then, it’s the final offshore leg - the Grand Finale - to Genova, Italy, for a Mediterranean finish to the race.

Kiel fly-by

Genova the grand finale.

Sydney to Hobart yacht race — how to watch and what to look for

By James Dunlevie

By Chris Rowbottom

Topic: Sailing

Large sailboat with other watercraft in pursuit as seen from overhead.

Wild Oats XI is back for this year's race. ( Supplied: Wild Oats XI )

Since its beginning in 1945, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has become one of the pinnacles for sailing competitors, with the event being a test of skill, teamwork, nautical engineering and tactics — with weather providing the wild card.

If you know what to look for, the race can be an enjoyable experience.

Here are some tips for getting the best out of it.

The fleet leaves Sydney Harbour following the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Things can get a little hectic on the water at the start. ( AAP: Daniel Forster/Rolex )

When does it start?

About 111 boats ranging from the supermaxis (longer than 20 metres) to smaller 30-footers (9 metres) will be ready to go at 1pm AEDT Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour.

The start is arguably one of the greatest spectacles in modern sport.

Once the starting cannon is fired, all teams will be gunning for The Heads and into the open water of the South Pacific, with competitors surrounded by all manner of craft.

Watch as boats come perilously close to the supermaxis.

The fleet then begins to make its way down the east coast of Australia to Hobart, a distance of approximately 630 nautical miles (1,166 kilometres).

Two men in rain coats sit behind a yacht steering wheel

The weather always plays a starring role in the Sydney to Hobart. ( Supplied )

What are they racing for?

It isn't money. Yes, you read that correctly — there is no prize money for the winners.

Instead, they race for trophies in a number of categories , the main events for casual observers being Line Honours and Overall.

The first yacht across the line wins the JH Illingworth Trophy, but the overall winner on handicap wins the Tattersalls Cup.

The overall victory is considered the major prize for sailors and a testament to skill and tactics.

Most of the time, handicap honours are won by a smaller, slower boat, which outdoes its larger opposition when time is adjusted for size and other factors.

The reigning overall winner is Ichi Ban. It finished in 4 days, 10 hours, and 17 minutes.

This was after a protest against Celestial was upheld. Celestial was handed a 40-minute time penalty for not manning their radio for a 90-minute period, during which officials were trying to contact the team.

The reigning line honours winner is Black Jack, winning in two days, 12 hours, and 37 minutes in 2021.

How can I watch it?

Race sponsor Rolex says the race can be watched on the Seven Network.

7Mate will broadcast the start of the race live around Australia. Their coverage starts at 12:30pm (AEDT).

ABC TV will also provide updates throughout the event.

For those who can't watch the live broadcast of the start of the race on their TV, Seven will have a stream of the race.

You can also watch vision from the event on the Sydney to Hobart yacht race website .

The start of the 1955 Sydney to Hobart, with Phalarope leading. ( Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia )

If you are in Sydney and on the water, spectators who wish to watch the start but not follow the fleet are advised to stick to the "western side of the harbour".

Good vantage points for spectator boats include "Taylors Bay, Chowder Bay, Obelisk Bay and North Head on the west and Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Camp Cove and South Head to the east".

According to organisers, the harbour will be "very crowded and traffic can be chaotic, so stay alert, follow the advice of race officials and remember to keep well clear of the exclusion zone between 12pm and 2pm".

How can I follow the boats online?

You can follow the race on an online tracker , which shows the positions of yachts as they move south.

The locations of yachts are transmitted by a GPS device on each vessel.

As the race goes on, you can see the course charted by crews — unless of course the boat's GPS device gets switched off, rendering it invisible to spectators and other competitors — an accusation that was levelled at Wild Oats XI in 2018 by the owner of Black Jack.

You can follow the fortunes of teams with the Sydney to Hobart yacht race tracker. ( rolexsydneyhobart.com )

What should I look out for?

The weather forecast is for northerly winds in the harbour for Monday's start, which will favour the bigger boats. They will push hard to get out of the harbour.

Barring disaster, the Line Honours winner will almost certainly be one of the four super maxis.

LawConnect (formerly Perpetual LOYAL, formerly Investec LOYAL, formerly InfoTrack) set a new record in 2016 when it crossed the line in one day, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 12 seconds, a time since bettered by Comanche the next year.

Black Jack (Formerly Alfa Romeo II) has a strong Sydney to Hobart history and is the reigning Line Honours champion. It's had a strong 2022 already, taking line, record, and overall wins in the Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race. Black Jack has a strong rivalry with Wild Oats XI as it was the first boat to break Wild Oats' race record in 2009.

Comanche takes the lead in the Sydney to Hobart on day one

Comanche takes the lead over InfoTrack following the start of the Sydney to Hobart race in 2019. ( AAP: Dean Lewins )

Andoo Comanche is the hot favourite for line honours this year. It has already defeated Black Jack in the Sydney to Gold Coast race this year and has won the inaugural Tollgate Islands race. It beat Wild Oats for line honours in 2017, setting a race record in the process, but only after a controversial protest .

Hamilton Island Wild Oats XI is the most famous boat in the race but has not participated since 2019 due to COVID. Veteran skipper Mark Richards will once again be at the helm and will be hoping to improve on the 3rd place finish in 2019.

The favourites for the handicap trophy are Alive, URM Group, Moneypenny and Stefan Racing, with last year's winner, Ichi Ban, not participating.

This year there is also a number of crews made up of father-daughter or father-son teams.

Maritimo going hard in 2021. ( Rolex Sydney Hobart )

The yacht race is taken seriously for good reason — people have died when the weather has turned bad.

In 1998, six sailors died, five yachts sank, more than 60 yachts retired and 55 sailors had to be rescued by helicopter.

In 2015, a squall hit the fleet off the News South Wales coast, ending the race for 29 competitors.

Black Jack sails up the River Derwent early on December 29, 2021. ( ABC News: Luke Bowden )

When does the race finish?

The lines honours winner is likely to come in around 48 hours after the start, but this is very much dependent on the weather — especially in the 22.2-kilometre final stretch up the Derwent River.

This is when the wind can drop away and it becomes an agonisingly slow crawl , with every trick in the book pulled out to speed the progress up the glassy waterway.

In 2021, Black Jack crossed the line at 1:37am on December 29, followed by LawConnect at 4:11am and SHK Scallywag about 20 minutes after that.

In 2019, Comanche came in at a more reasonable time of 7:30am on December 28, with InfoTrack about 45 minutes later.

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The Sydney Hobart Is a Dream to Win and Formidable to Navigate

It’s complicated and difficult, but they keep coming back because, said one, ‘it’s the hardest.’

By David Schmidt

In sailboat racing, the fastest route between Port A and Port B is rarely a straight line.

This is certainly true of the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which starts on Monday. This classic test of seamanship and teamwork involves many complex navigational decisions, including negotiating the course’s mix of coastal and offshore waters, its fast-moving westerly weather fronts and the generally south-flowing East Australian Current.

Navigators invest huge amounts of time and bandwidth before and during the race, leveraging navigation tools and experience to determine how weather and current will affect the course’s challenges.

Lindsay May, who has served as navigator or skipper on boats that have won the race’s top trophy, the Tattersall Cup, three times, described the race’s 628-nautical-mile track as six navigational tests. There’s the start and the sprint out of Sydney Harbor, past the Sydney headlands; the run down Australia’s coast; crossing Bass Strait, which separates Australia from Tasmania; the stretch down Tasmania’s eastern coastline; the crossing of Tasmania’s Storm Bay; and the final leg up the River Derwent.

Bungle any of these and a team’s results can go south, fast.

In addition, teams sometimes elect to sail extra miles to reach faster or safer conditions, or sacrifice mileage for tactical positioning relative to the fleet. “You invest those extra miles sailed with the expectation that you’ll get a return on them,” said Stan Honey, an America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race-winning navigator who helped LDV Comanche set the race’s elapsed-time record in 2017. “The job of the navigator today is making these risk-adjusted investment decisions.”

Getting this right — or less wrong than the competition — demands that navigators possess world-class meteorological and technical skills to select the fastest course for their yacht.

This isn’t trivial.

“The mixture of the East Australian Current, the coastlines of New South Wales and Tasmania with Bass Strait in between, then Storm Bay, and then finally the Derwent River make the racecourse a real navigational-meteorological challenge,” said Will Oxley, a navigator who has also won the Tattersall Cup three times, and who plans to navigate the 100-foot Andoo Comanche (previously LDV Comanche) in this year’s race.

Weather is notorious in the Sydney Hobart. From 1945 to 2021, the race had an average attrition rate of 15 percent . In 2021, 38 yachts out of the race’s starting fleet of 88 retired, many because of equipment or vessel damage.

“The navigator’s role now is largely about weather and strategy, and it’s very much now electronically driven,” said Adrienne Cahalan, a two-time Tattersall Cup-winning navigator who plans to start her 30th race aboard the 39-foot Sunrise this year.

Local knowledge can also be important. “Just because of having lived and breathed the weather systems in this country, that will give you an advantage,” Cahalan said.

So will modern navigation tools. These include computers, software and lots of data.

Before yachts even leave the dock, navigators leverage these tools and information from the yacht’s instruments, its designer and handicap-rating systems (think golf), to create vessel-specific models called polar diagrams.

These predict how fast the boat will sail at different wind angles and velocities. Navigators then use digitized weather and current forecasts — called gridded binary files or GRIBs — which are prepared by official meteorological services. Navigators also use the yacht’s polar diagrams and performance information about each of its sails to advise the skipper on which ones to bring.

Navigators rely on the yacht’s satellite-communications equipment to continually download GRIBs as different models are released. These are fed to computers running weather-routing software to help determine the fastest route based on a specific yacht’s polar diagrams in the forecasted conditions.

Navigators game out multiple routing options based on the latest GRIBs and their yacht’s position relative to the competition.

“In the 2019 Sydney to Hobart race, there was a split breeze in Storm Bay,” Oxley said. “The high-res GRIB files did not show this perfectly, but they did provide strong evidence that it existed.” The team chose a route on the west side of Storm Bay, rather than taking the more standard routing. “This paid off and we managed to win,” he said.

This analysis is critical for making the most important decisions. For Honey, who plans to navigate the 100-foot Hamilton Island Wild Oats this year, these include making calls on how far offshore to sail after passing the Sydney headlands, how to handle the East Australian Current, how close to Tasmania to sail and how to approach Tasman Island.

Even with the polar diagrams, up-to-date meteorological data and weather-routing tools, human expertise still matters.

“The global met models do a great job these days in managing the big picture,” Oxley said. “Where they fall down is in managing the fine detail and dealing with land shadows and breezes.”

Others agree.

“If the forecast is wrong, it won’t be entirely wrong, but it will be wrong by being too fast or too slow, or windy or too light,” Honey said. “You have to think through what kind of characteristic errors you expect to see in the different forecast models, and that’s just experience.”

And it’s also where eyeballs can supersede screens.

“It is important to get your head out of the boat and look around,” said May, who plans to start his 49th race this year aboard the 74-foot Kialoa II . “The art of navigation is to be aware of the science, but the same time use your experience and see and sense what is happening.”

This often entails studying the clouds and sky, and peering between the lines of GRIB data.

“I do believe that intuition and gut feeling is an important part of decision making,” Cahalan said. She added that while contemporary weather modeling was clever, humans still needed to assess what the data presents.

“That’s the experience that you bring to the team, that’s where you bring value,” she said.

Wind whispering aside, navigators must also foster trust with the team’s brain trust.

“For me, the best system is where I spend a lot of time before the race laying out the plan with the whole crew, and especially the key decision makers, and then working to execute the plan,” Oxley said. “I always benefit from watch leaders asking questions and probing my recommendations to improve the final decisions.”

Crew knowledge also matters. Honey said he briefed the on-deck crew every two or three hours. “The better they understand it, the better they’ll sail,” he said, adding that this helps the sailors negotiate gusts, lulls and unexpected squalls.

Communication is especially important if a strategic move that results in a short-term loss of position is made for better position later, or when decisions are not obvious. “I make it clear whether I am 90 percent strong on a recommendation, or whether it is closer to 50-50,” Oxley said.

And in the Sydney Hobart, jump-ball calls can apply until the finish line.

While most of the race’s miles involve exposed coastal or offshore sailing, the out-flowing River Derwent stands as the race’s final crux.

May described the Derwent as miles of frustration, a time when navigators need to play their lucky cards. Arrival time is crucial. Most afternoons and evenings feature a useful breeze, while most nights are calm. “Light winds will only allow you to ghost along the shore, keeping out of the adverse current,” May said of nighttime arrivals.

Cahalan added that many races had been won and lost in the river.

Add up the race’s variables, coupled with its attrition rate, and there’s little question why this race attracts world-class navigators, who keep returning.

“It’s just so complicated and so difficult for the navigator,” Honey said. “It’s my favorite race because it’s the hardest.”

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2023 Ocean Globe Race starts…with legendary yachts taking part

Katy Stickland
September 10, 2023

14 yachts have crossed the start line in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race off Cowes, The race is being run in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Race, with crews racing without the benefit of modern technology

14 Ocean Globe Race yachts crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron start line off Cowes

The 14 yachts in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race ghosted over the Royal Yacht Squadron start line off Cowes this afternoon – but soon found some wind, with the fleet diverging at Hurst Point.

The fleet split with Pen Duick VI , skippered by Éric Tabarly’s daughter, Marie, leading the French boats – the 60ft Andre Mauric design, Neptune , and the Swan 53, Triana up the North Channel; while the Swan 651, Spirit of Helsinki, sailed the Needles Channel, and was the first boat past The Needles.

Translated 9 , formerly ADC Accutrac – which was skipped by Clare Francis to 5th place in the 1977 Whitbread Race, was following, with Tracy Edwards’s Maiden – skipped by the race’s only all-female crew – closely following behind.

The group of Spirit of Helsinki , Translated 9 and Pen Duick VI are currently battling for the lead, having rounded Anvil Point, with the rest of the fleet crossing Poole Bay.

Translated 9 are leading Maiden , Spirit of Helsinki and Pen Duick VI in the IRC Class.

Earlier, the boats and their crew docked out from Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, and on the water, there was a large spectator fleet to watch the entrants leave, reminiscent of the Whitbread Races of old.

The Ocean Globe Race has three classes: Adventure, Sayula and Flyer.

In the Adventure Class, the French boat Triana currently leads but is being pursued by Galiana WithSecure , skippered by Golden Globe Race veteran, Tapio Lehtinen.

Lentinen – an ex-Whitbread Race veteran who took part in the 1981-82 edition aboard the C&C Baltic 51, Skopbank Finland – has put together a young Finnish crew for the 2023 Ocean Globe Race; he aims is to establish a Finnish offshore sailing legacy and provide young Finnish sailors – aged 25-30 – with the same opportunities he had as a young man.

“My aim with this project is for the continuation of the famous tradition of ocean sailing, which started at the times of the great Grain Races with Square Riggers,” explained Lehtinen.

Galiana with Secure was dismasted off Portland Bill just weeks before the start of the 2023 Ocean Globe Race while taking part in the Fastnet Race.

“It was quite a shock and disappointment. We had been working with the boat for four years now and we decided to replace the rig 1.5 years ago. The rig was installed over one year ago. The mast was delivered late and against the specification and we had already decided to modify the mast after the Fastnet Race. I am happy it came down here, and not the Southern Ocean,” explained Lehtinen.

Lehtinen told PBO that Galiana with Secure dismasted due to the spreader tip failing, as the spreader profiles were too thin for the mast and the spreader bar was at the wrong angle.

The Swan 51, Godspeed is the smallest boat in the fleet, skippered by British and American military veterans.

Skipper Taylor Grieger spoke to PBO, saying he was inspired to take part in the race as it “the most real sailing race in the world”, where ordinary people could take part in a round the world yacht race.

“There is no chance I am getting on a sailboat, worth millions of dollars, let alone with with a team like this. It would be impossible. So when this race was created for real sailors doing real sailing without modern technology, I believed that this was a race that we needed to be a part of,” he said.

In the 1973 Whitbread, Sir Chay Blyth skippered the 77-ft ketch, Great Britain II , which was crewed by members of The Parachute Regiment, which Sir Chay was also a part of.

The Baltic 55, Outlaw , is led by 73-year-old Campbell Mackie – the oldest entrant in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race.

The yacht competed in the 1985-86 Whitbread Race as Equity and Law .

Mackie told PBO that he bought the boat sight unseen in 2021 in America, before seeing the boat in 2022. The refit began in May 2022.

The inside of the boat was gutted, and new wiring was installed ahead of the race.

The Outlaw crew began bonding after sailing the boat – after refit – from Newport, Rhode Island.

“If you choose good people who know how to sail but above all have the mental resilience to deal with life at sea over long periods of time, they all seem to know intuitively what is important for teamwork, and it was very rewarding to watch how that all unfolded as we left America because I think we were all quite stressed and it was a very hectic period in Newport and people just got on with it,” explained Mackie.

The Swan 53, Sterna is being skippered by Rufus Brand but is owned by Dr. Gerrit Louw, who co-owns All Spice Yachting.

Dr Louw said he entered the Ocean Globe Race at the same time as Jeremy Bagshaw announced his entry into the 2022 Golden Globe Race, and he was excited to continue the legacy.

There will be 8 permanent crew on board, with an additional crew member for Leg 3 – from Auckland to Punta del Este in Uruguay.

In the Sayula class, the Swan 57, Explorer is skipped by 2018 and 2022 Golden Globe Race veteran, Mark Sinclair.

“She is a beautiful boat and she tracks really well. The wind increases and she just goes faster and digs in, she doesn’t round up. She is beautifully balanced with the headsail, main and mizzen, we have a genoa staysail and we have a number of kites. The big difference between the Golden Globe Race and this race is that you are not alone. You have a crew of 10; all of a sudden, I can’t be lazy, we have the capacity to do stuff so it is a matter of keeping the boat going. It is a lot of fun,” said Sinclair.

The only Spanish entry is the Swan 57, White Shadow – skippered by Jean-Christophe Petit.

France has the most entries in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race which includes the Swan 65 ketch, Evrika .

Previously owned by Pink Floyd’s Rick Wright, Evrika is being skippered by boat builder Dominique Dubois.

Originally the team was to race the Swan 651, Futuro, but in February 2023, the boat was blown from its cradle during Storm Gérard; the damage cost more than the value of the boat.

Dubois then bought Evrika from Brit Richard Little.

Spirit of Helsinki made a strong start in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race.

The Swan 651 sloop is skippered by Jussi Paavoseppa, and had a last-minute crew member join just days before the start – in true Whitbread Race style.

Ian Herbert-Jones, who took part in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, before his Tradewind 35, Puffin was dismasted in the Southern Atlantic, decided to join the team.

“I had three days’ notice, so it seemed like a reasonable amount of time to prepare for a round the world sailing race. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is nearly 12 months ago that we slipped lines for the 2022 Golden Globe Race, that was 7 months at sea alone before Puffin and I got into trouble, and I lost Puffin . To be stepping on board another boat, but this time, stepping onboard a big boat, a beautiful boat with great crew to go back into those oceans is a great opportunity, I guess there is something there that is waiting to be finished off,” explained Herbert-Jones.

The Flyer Class is limited to yachts that have previously raced in a Whitbread Race.

Pen Duick VI, skippered by Marie Tabarly, is the largest boat in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race fleet – at 73ft.

This race is unfinished business for the Tabarly family. Marie’s father, the legendary French sailor Éric Tabarly, sailed Pen Duick VI in the 1973 Whitbread Race, but the boat was dismasted twice.

Pen Duick VI and his crew made a strong start to the Ocean Globe Race, and were pushing hard towards the front of the fleet.

Translated 9 , the Swan 65, will also be following in the wake of another Whitbread great – Clare Francis – the first woman to ever skipper a boat in a round the world yacht race.

Francis raced the Swan 65 – named ADC Accutrac – to 5th place in the 1977 Whitbread Race.

The boat is being skippered by Marco Trombetti and Italian offshore sailor Vittorio Malingri , the first Italian to race in a Vendée Globe (1993).

Onboard is UK sailor Simon Curwen, the first finished in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, who will be sailing the first two legs.

Maiden is skippered by Heather Thomas – and – just as in the 1989-90 Whitbread Race – is the only yacht with an all-female crew.

The 60ft Andre Mauric design, Neptune , which was raced in the 1977-78 Whitbread Race, has been modified – with extra hand holds – to aid crew member, Bertrand Delhom, who has Parkinson’s Disease.

He is competing in all four legs and aims to become the first person with Parkinson’s Disease to sail a round the world yacht race.

L’Esprit d’équipe – 57ft Philippe Briand design – has taken part in more Whitbread Races than any other boat in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race fleet.

It raced in 1981-82 as 33 Export , 1985-86 as L’Esprit d’équipe (winning the class, skipped by Lionel Péan) and in 1989-90 as Esprit de Liberté.

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Racing Signals: Sailing Flag Meanings

Last Updated by

Gabriel Hannon

August 30, 2022

Where other competitions have umpires and referees right next to the players, sailing race committees have to rely on flags to communicate with sailors.

In this article, we are going to explain the meanings of all the flags used at regattas to communicate with sailors. The flags can give information about starting procedures, course information, and on-the-water judging, so a basic understanding is a crucial part of general seamanship.

While nautical flags all have defined meanings in a historical context, they have very specific meanings in the context of racing competition. For instance, in the general nautical world, the Z-flag means that you are in distress and are in need of a tow or relief from a tug boat. At a regatta, the race committee may fly the Z-flag to indicate an additional penalty for any boat that has crossed the line early. Moreover, even though there are certain flags that have well-defined roles, race committees may stipulate additional meanings or introduce new flags via an announcement in the sailing instructions for the event, so we will cover some of these more common changes as well. We will break down the meanings into the various categories of usage.

A secret that I have learned over many years of regattas at every level from proverbial ‘beer-can’ races to national championships is that, as well as both you and the race committee can recite the racing flag rules on land, someone is always going to make a mistake or misunderstand these symbols. That is why I will be going through the official flag meanings and rules from the Racing Rules of Sailing for 2021-2024 to clarify any questions that you might have when the race committee flies a flag that hasn’t been seen since we used Clipper Ships to cross the oceans. Hopefully this article will help break down all the most common signals so that when your friend turns to you and asks ‘is that the flag that tells us it's time to go in,’ you’ll be able to help out!

Table of contents

‍ Flags at the Start

The start of a race is often the most confusing part of a regatta and is where the most flags must be used. We will be going over the rules for the flags at a basic 5-minute start. These can be modified for 3-minute dinghy starts, 5-minute match race starts, 6-minute Olympic starts, or 10-minute big boat starts, but the same logic applies.

A few flags are crucial to set everything up on the starting line prior to the starting sequence.

To begin, the race committee must have an Orange Flag visibly displayed, as this demarks the exact location on the boat from which the line is called. If there is a pin boat, they will often fly an Orange Flag as well, but if it is just a buoy, then the buoy serves as the other end of the line.

Next, the RC will additionally fly the L Flag if they are ready for competitors to check-in at the beginning of the race day. This helps them confirm that everyone is sailing under the correct sail number, which is often a logistical nightmare. They will blow one horn when raising this flag. If this flag is raised at any point later in the day, it is meant to tell competitors to come by the committee boat again.

Finally, the AP Flag is a general purpose postponement flag. The race committee may raise this on land to indicate that the harbor start has been delayed or on the water to indicate that there will be a delay in the starts. While there are other flags that are used for abandonment situations, particularly the N Flag, the AP is commonly used in informal situations. Two sounds accompany the raising of the AP, and it can be said that competitors are ‘under AP’ until it is dropped, along with one sound. If it is dropped on land, competitors may immediately launch. If it is dropped on the water, the next start may begin in as little as one minute.

The final note with the AP Flag is that the race committee may indicate the end of racing for the day by flying ‘AP over A.’ Again, the AP could technically be replaced with the blue and white checkerboarded N Flag, but the two serve very similar purposes at most levels.

Starting Flags

Once the race committee is set up and everyone is ready to go sailing, the next task is to get the right fleets to the starting line for their start. At the warning signal, one loud horn that indicates that the 5-minute countdown to the start has begun, the race committee will raise some type of Class Flag that indicates which type of boat will be starting. Above we have the different class flags for the different competition rigs for the ILCA-Dinghy, formerly known as the Laser, which would be raised to indicate which rig is starting.

This is a convention even if there is only one class on the water. Sometimes this is replaced with raising the Orange Flag itself, or some other flag as laid out in the sailing instructions. Often classes have been assigned a numeral pennant, of which 1-4 are displayed above, in place of the highly specific Class Flags. Still, some flag of this nature goes up at 5-minutes and remains up until go, at which point it is dropped.

At 4-minutes, the RC will sound another horn, known as the preparatory signal, and raise some combination of the above flags.

The P Flag is always required to go up, and it is simply the ‘Prep Flag,’ which signals to the racers that they need to get serious about the race. Once the P Flag is raised, all the right-of-way rules that apply during the start switch on and racers, particularly in team and match racing, are allowed to begin tactically engaging with each other (though in team racing this would happen at minute 2 of the 3-minute start). Moreover, racers can talk with their coaches until the prep signal, and race committees may alter the course up until this moment. Afterwards, all coaching is banned and all course changes on the current leg are not allowed. This belies the fact that a 5-minute starting sequence is actually a 4-minute sequence with a warning signal at 5-minutes, but that is a purely semantic detail.

Depending on how rowdy the competitors are, the race committee may raise any combination of the I, Z, U, or Black Flags. Each of these flags deals with boats that start ‘on-course side’ (OCS), essentially a false start for sailing. If any of these flags is raised, a boat is not allowed to be anywhere within the triangle formed by the starting line and the first mark of the course after the 1-minute signal during the start. These flags essentially help the RC ensure that they can get off a clean start and ensure that they can identify any boats that are OCS at go. When they are flown, the following penalties are added beyond requiring a boat to clear itself by dipping back under the line:

I Flag: Conventionally referred to as the ‘one-minute rule,’ this requires that any boat over the line after a minute also has to sail around an end of the line in order to start the race fairly. This punishes a boat for being over by potentially making it a little harder to clear themselves if they are over on a large line.
Z Flag: Often flown in combination with the I Flag, this flag adds that any boat that is OCS will get a 20% penalty on top of their score in that race, regardless of whether they clear themselves or not. This further hurts any boat that is ‘pushing the line’ by ensuring that even if they manage to clear themselves and come back, they will still see an impact on their scoreline that is equivalent to immediately being passed by 20% of the fleet.
U Flag: Now we’re getting into harsh territory. When the RC is really trying to brush the fleet back off the plate, this flag immediately disqualifies a boat that is over after a minute with no course for redress. If these boats are identified, they tend to be told to stop sailing the race by a notice board at the top mark.
Black Flag: The black flag serves a very similar purpose to the U Flag, except it is a step harsher. It disqualifies you after a minute and even prevents you from sailing in a restart of the race or a race abandoned halfway through.

The I Flag is by far the most common flag, and is often effective at keeping boats from being over. The U Flag rule was introduced in 2013 as an option and formally codified in the Racing Rules in 2017 and is massively more popular than the Black Flag, which is considered overly punitive. In particular, when many sailors are over in a Black Flag start, such that the RC cannot determine who was over, they are forced to make unfair decisions that carry over to the restart, so the U is now almost universally used in its place. Additionally, as the U has become more popular, people tend to shy away from the Z flag, which is considered cumbersome for scorers and confusing to sailors.

In general, while these flags are supposed to be raised in conjunction with the P Flag, often the RC will only raise the most punitive of the flags, as any of them can essentially be considered as a prep flag.

As the starting sequence continues, any prep flag(s) raised must be lowered at the 1-minute signal. The class flag is then lowered at go, leading to the next category of flags: Recall Flags

Recall Flags

After the pain of raising and lowering all those start flags, the RC then has three possible jobs. If the start is clean, they shout ‘All Clear!’ and can then relax until they have to start another race or record finishes for the race in progress. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, as they likely will need to ‘recall’ certain competitors for being ‘OCS,’ i.e. false starting. They have two choices here.

If only a few, easily-identifiable boats have started early, the RC will raise the X Flag along with a single sound in what is referred to as an individual recall. This indicates to the boats on the course that there are some competitors who are currently OCS and must clear themselves. If the I Flag had been flown for the start, competitors have to round an end; if not, they can just dip back behind the starting line and restart from there.

While the X is suitable on its own to inform a boat that it has been called over, it is an oft practiced courtesy for the RC to hail an OCS boat’s sail number over a megaphone, a radio, or other transmission device. The X Flag is dropped when all OCS boats have cleared themselves or after 4 minutes from go, whichever comes first.

If more boats than can be easily identified are called over, the RC can blow two horns and fly the First Substitute Flag, indicating a general recall. In this case, the race is fully reset and the committee will initiate another entire starting sequence for that fleet. After a general recall, the RC will often, but not always employ the next level of penalty flag for the restart in an attempt to get the race off cleanly.

Sometimes, as in college sailing or as stipulated by other sailing instructions, any general recall immediately implies the I Flag for the next sequence if it had not been flown previously. As such, the RC does not necessarily have to fly the I if it is unavailable. Still, such stipulations are almost always written out explicitly for a given event and are often accompanied by a verbal announcement as a courtesy.

Still, outside some usages of the AP or N Flags to abandon or delay starts already in sequence, these are all the flags that deal with general housekeeping and the starting sequence.

While Underway

While the starting flags are by far the most complicated of the flag rules, there are still other flags to keep track of while racing. The first among these are...

Course Change Flags

Although course changes are relatively rare, race committees often pull them out when conditions change substantially during races or if there has been a problem with one of the marks.

When wind or time constraints require, the race committee may send an official to any mark of the course that no boat has yet rounded and have it raise the S Flag along with two sounds. This indicates that the fleet shall finish at that mark, cutting off the race earlier than written in the sailing instructions.

In the case of any other change to the course, such as a minor adjustment to the angle or distance of an upcoming leg, a race committee boat will go to the preceding mark and raise the C Flag along with repeated sounds.

This is sometimes accompanied by a Red Square or a Green Triangle to indicate that the mark has been moved to port or starboard respectively. Although during less formal events, you can change the positions of any marks so long as there are no competitors currently sailing on that leg of the course, it is considered poor form if at all possible to inform competitors, particularly in longer races. Sailors make decisions based on the position of the marks, and if this has been changed without them noticing, that can drastically affect the outcomes of strategic decisions, so in large competitions the C Flag is a must.

If, meanwhile, something odd has happened to a mark of the course, any official boat may fly the M Flag with repeated signals. This serves to inform the competitors that they have become a replacement for the missing mark. This is relatively uncommon, but anchors do occasionally snap on marks, so it is always good to have a support boat with the M if possible.

Finally, as mentioned before, if conditions have deteriorated to the point that a race is considered no longer possible, due to lack of wind, fear of foul weather, or some form of interference -- I’ve seen it happen because cruise ships wanted to pass through a dinghy course, and you don’t say no to them -- the race committee may abandon the race using the N Flag. Still, this flag is relatively rare as you will often see the AP in its place for convenience, as they are functionally similar.

Miscellaneous Flags

While we have covered the bulk of the flags necessary for racing at any level, there are a few more flags from across different disciplines and classes that are worth mentioning, if only to let you in on these quirky parts of the racing world! This starts with what one could reasonably call…

The Cheating Flag

Calling the O Flag the cheating flag is certainly a bit of a misnomer. The O Flag does, however, suspend Rule 42 of the Racing Rules of Sailing. Rule 42 is particularly notorious, as it bans pumping, rocking, ooching, sculling, and excessive maneuvering, all of which are methods to make your boat go substantially faster. While Rule 42 is worth an article in and of itself, the larger point is that it is meant to keep anyone from gaining an unfair advantage over their competitors.

Certain competitive classes, however, including the Olympic class 470s and Finns and many of the new foiling fleets, allow competitors to ignore Rule 42 in certain conditions, typically in heavy breezes that are referred to as ‘planing’ conditions. There are differences across the classes, but whenever it is allowed and the RC flies the O Flag, Rule 42 is switched off and competitors can ooch, pump, rock, and tack their boats all around the racecourse. This allows for a much more physical style of sailing and is a rule that many different classes and sectors of sailing are beginning to consider.

If conditions no longer meet the threshold for that class’s rules regarding suspension of Rule 42, an official boat will raise the R Flag at some point during the race. They can only do so at a mark of the course so that it is fair to all the competitors throughout the fleet. This is relatively rare, and is normally done between races, but is still a key part of the O Flag rule.

Judge and Umpire Flags

On the topic of Rule 42, there are certain fouls in sailing that can be actively enforced on the water by judges or umpires, depending on the context.

Rule 42 is enforced by judges with a Yellow Flag, which they will point at an offending boat along with a sound signal and a direct sail number hail. That boat may clear themselves from their first Yellow Flag by taking their two-turn penalty, but, unless otherwise noted in the sailing instructions, any subsequent violation can entail disqualification.

Finally, certain levels of modern match and team racing, with the addition of high-performance racing like SailGP, have full on-the-water umpires who actively follow the racing to make calls on fouls and other plays. While this is not the spot to go through the intricacies of team and match race calls, the basic gist is as follows.

In any interaction, any boat involved in the race may call in the umpires if they believe that their opponent has fouled them. If the opponent clears themselves quickly, essentially admitting fault, the umpires will not get involved. If no boats clear themselves, the umpire has to make a call on whether there has been a foul. If they determine that the maneuvers were clean, they will make one sound and fly a Green Flag, thus exonerating all boats in the interaction. If they determine there was a foul, they will fly a Red Flag with a singular sound and hail the offending boat.

Beyond that, if a boat is found to have broken a rule not related to an interaction, the umpires may come in and fly the Red Flag without being directly invited into the situation. Further, if a boat is found to be in violation of sportsmanship or refuses to take a penalty as assessed by an umpire, the umpire may fly a Black Flag, disqualifying them from the race.

While there are differences at each event and in each discipline, these general guidelines are followed in most umpired races, with specific flags used at various events, generally depending on availability.

With that, we have made it from land, through the start, a few general recalls, all the way to umpire flags! I hope this has helped you get a grasp of the various flags used across sailing. While this has not scratched the specifics of the various alterations made for kiteboards and windsurfers, nor some of the annoyances of protest flags and more, we have gone through the bulk of regularly used race committee and umpire signals.

The ‘Wear Your Life Jacket!’ Flag

Finally, we have a safety flag. At big boat regattas, the race committee may, if it chooses, fly the Y Flag at any point prior to a start to inform competitors that they must wear personal floatation devices, which is not always strictly necessary.

The Most Important Flag

While I wish I could tell you that everyone uses their flags properly and accompanies them with the proper timing and sound signals, that is far from the truth. Everyone’s flag set is slightly incomplete or out of date, and invariably there is going to be a miscommunication somewhere, where the race committee forgets to put the I Flag up but really should have; I’ve certainly done that a time or two. Still, there’s nothing quite like being on the water, so, despite the endless mutual griping between racers and their race committees, hopefully everyone comes back to shore flying the ‘Happy Flag.’

Happy sailing!

I have been sailing since I was 7 years old. Since then I've been a US sailing certified instructor for over 8 years, raced at every level of one-design and college sailing in fleet, team, and match racing, and love sharing my knowledge of sailing with others!

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Guide for Entrants to the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race

Record fleet for 50th edition of legendary contest

About the Rolex Fastnet Race

The 100th anniversary of the Rolex Fastnet Race starts on 26th July 2025 The race upon which the Royal Ocean Racing Club was founded in 1925 has grown to become the world's largest offshore race. The 100th anniversary edition will set sail from Cowes on 26 July 2025 and finish, for a third time, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France; a course of 695 miles.

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Special 2025 RORC centenary Rolex Fastnet Race

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Multinational all-female team arrives back to home port

Reminder of a bygone era

The race starts off the Royal Yacht Squadron start line of Cowes on the Isle of Wight on the south coast of England at the Royal Yacht Squadron. Leaving The Solent through The Needles Channel, the race follows the southern coastline of England westward down the English Channel, before rounding Land's End. After crossing the Celtic Sea, the race rounds the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland. Returning on a largely reciprocal course, the race rounds the Isles of Scilly before finishing at Cherbourg.

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Newport-to-Bermuda Race 2024 Starting Line Party

If you can be in Newport, Rhode Island, next Friday, June 21, you will be able to attend the first ever Newport-to-Bermuda Race Starting Line Party. If not, you can still stream th eparty live on YouTube.

Taking a page from the last start of The Ocean Race in Newport, the Cruising Club of America and Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, who run the Bermuda race, have moved the starting line from Castle Hill at the mouth of Narraganset Bay to Newport’s Fort Adams inside the bay.

The general public are invited to come to the fort and take part in the festivities. The windmill giant Orsted has sponsored an audio-video jumbotron presentation that will live stream drone footage of the starts. Commentary on the race and the starts will be given by North Sail’s president Ken Reed, professional sailor Jesse Fielding and Cole Brauer who is the first American woman to race non-stop around the world.

The event will have food and drinks vendors, lawn games and music provided by The Ravers. There is plenty of parking at the fort, plus the fort is served by the Jamestown Ferry and Old Port launches.

The race starts at 1400 hours and classes will then go off every 10 minutes. From the large open area at the fort, where the Newport Folk and Jazz festivals are staged, you will have a close view of the boats as they fight their way into position for the start.

This is the 53 rd running of the Newport-to-Bermuda race, which was first run in 1908. The race covers 636 miles, first across the shallow waters of the continental shelf, then across the Gulf Stream and finally in the variable winds near Bermuda.

The latest course record, set in 2022, was by the MOD 70 trimaran Argo . Larger monohulls will make the trip in under 48 hours while most of the fleet will take three or four days.

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STARTING STRATEGIES: LOW RISK, HIGH REWARD

Tricks for a better race start.

The first two minutes of a race is arguably the most important. Those first two minutes will define where you start on the line, and how much space is around you to accelerate. This makes starting one of the hardest skills to master in sailboat racing. Good news is there are a few tricks that can make starting much easier. These tricks focus on executing a start that is low-risk and has a high-reward. A low-risk start isn’t going to mean that you are leading at every windward mark, but it will keep your options open on the first beat so you can go where you want without being forced which will give you a better chance of rounding the top mark in the front of the pack. Once you are in the front, it is easier to hang in there.

In the video below, our expert Mike Marshall talks us through a ten-boat start where one boat, in particular, had the opportunity to contain the fleet and have a low-risk start with just one small decision change. Instead, because they were too early, they had to sail down the line which then forced them into a high-risk starting situation that gave them no control of the race, or their competition.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race | Entries Open

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is pleased to invite eligible boats to enter 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The 79th edition of the historic 628-nautical mile blue water classic will start on Sydney Harbour at 1300 hrs AEDT on Thursday 26 December 2024.

01 Aug, 2024 10:21:00 AM

Maritimo Katwinchar – 120 year old yacht back and racing

Maritimo’s Bill Barry-Cotter has once again demonstrated his passion and dedication to all forms of boating.

30 Jul, 2024 10:16:00 AM

Winners Announced for the 2024 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

Twin brothers Louis and Marc Ryckmans' Voltstar Yeah Baby is the Overall Winner of the Peter Rysdyk Memorial Trophy for the 2024 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. URM Group has claimed Line Honours.

29 Jul, 2024 10:17:00 AM

URM Group claims Line Honours of the 2024 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Race

27 Jul, 2024 10:19:00 AM

Start of the 2024 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

A gentle start was delivered to those competing in the 2024 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. Fifty-one yachts assembled on the start line before the yachts crawled across Sydney Harbour and north up the Tasman Sea.

2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race | Entries Open

14 Jun, 2024 02:15:00 PM

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is pleased to invite eligible boats to enter 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Congratulations to all the divisional winners of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023

PHOTOS | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Official Prizegiving

PHOTOS | Day 5 Morning - Tasman Island and Storm Bay

PHOTOS | Day 5 and Day 6 finishers

PHOTOS | Official Presentation of Tattersall Cup and Rolex Timepiece to the Overall Winner

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - A Race for the Ages

VIDEO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - Rolex Daily Video Summary

VIDEO | Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2023

VIDEO | 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Official Prizegiving

VIDEO | Race Update - 31 December Morning

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Shop the official clothing range of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited!

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Shocks and Drops At Louis Vuitton Cup Start

By Dave Reed
August 29, 2024

The collective groans from the coach boat of the New York YC’s American Magic were likely audible across the Med as they were starting their first race of the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series Round Robins. But those moans were likely nowhere near those of Emirates Team New Zealand’s shore team when its multimillion dollar Cup yacht came crashing down into its cradle during a lift-out crane failure after racing. We’ll get to that, but first the match ups.

While the American stars on Patriot lacked luster on the opening day, it was the Frenchmen of Orient Express Racing Team, widely panned as the squad most likely to be first sent packing from the Challenger fleet, that shone brightest. The scrappy new team won the first race of the Round Robin Series in their match against Alinghi Red Bull Racing and give Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli a good battle in the last match of the day.

Dogged by mis-timed starts in the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Series last week, the French had their time-and-distance woes sorted once the first entry after several light-wind postponements. With the wind hovering below 10 knots, the helms and trimmers of Orient Express kept the boat in flight as they loosely engaged with Alinghi Red Bull Racing in the start box.

Alinghi led back inside 1 minute and OE went for the hook, pushed Alinghi further down the line toward the pin and once they knew they were compromised, they tacked away with a split start. The French went left and Alinghi took the right. By the time they came back together for the first cross, the French had a tasty 150-meter lead that they would not relinquish.

Eyebrows were raised across the Challenger field as those who’d been giving the French lip service as a dark-horse threat were now singing their praises.

“In this breeze, when you fall behind, it’s hard to catch up,” said Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s trimmer Nicolas Rolaz. “The boat needs a lot of adjustments, and we also need to keep our eyes out to look for the best pressure and best wind. Obviously, our strategy wasn’t the best today. We believed the right side was pretty strong, and our forecast supported that. In the end, we got smashed by the left. The guys we’re up against also know how to read the wind and how to defend, so it was almost over from the beginning.”

Juan Vila, the America’s Cup Hall of Famer and top-shelf strategist for the Swiss team said after racing, “When you’re behind, it’s difficult to catch up, but overall, I think the guys did a great job of minimizing the distance and taking every opportunity, every shift, to catch up.”

Simply catching up doesn’t earn a point in the series, however, and so the elimination table was set after the first course, with the French sitting on 1 point and Alinghi none.

The next pairing was Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Emirates Team New Zealand, the defender who wrote the rules allowing them to play with the challenger fleet in these early round-robin races. The defender’s points essentially don’t count, so this match was a chance for the Italians to once again check in with their AC36 rivals and hone their craft.

Again, in the marginal foiling conditions, the pre-start sparring was safe as the Italian’s pushed the Kiwis toward the pin end. Both boats crossed the line dead even on time and speed, with plenty of space between them as they sprinted to the left boundary. The Kiwis were first to tack and the Italians went to the boundary. The first cross was a sight to behold for Jimmy Spithill, watching from his starboard cockpit as they crossed with 70-meter lead.

Keeping their distance with an easy cover, Luna Rossa had the first gate by 11 seconds and the two teams split down the run. There was barely 40 meters between them on the first downwind cross and 5 seconds through the leeward gate. The Italians split right, the Kiwis left, and when they met the middle minutes later the Italians had them by 80 meters.

At the next meeting in the middle of the course, the racing finally got spicy. The Italians stuck a leebow tack a fraction too late, Burling called for a “high mode,” the New Zealand boat rocked to weather and bit into one lane higher, turning a bad position into a strong one in a matter of seconds.

Virtually side by side, they tacked simultaneously and Italian port helmsman Francesco Bruni could be heard warning about the Kiwi’s “high-mode after the tack.” Burling confirmed as much with his call for the same move, and just at the wrong time, the Italian boat’s rudder lost its grip, the boat got a bit of a wobble and in an instant the Kiwi’s stern was visible over the Italian’s front hood.

Once again, the Kiwis rarely lose once ahead, and once again, the defenders cruised across the finish with another win in hand.

“We stuck with them when we needed to and took a few opportunities to split and get back into the race,” ETNZ trimmer Andy Maloney told AC Media. “Then, on that final tack, they tacked in a position that we thought we could just live with on their hip long enough to hold them to the layline and then did a pretty nice tack out of there as well and just managed to squeeze them off it.”

One point for the Italians and they were on the board, one step away from the elimination cliff.

The meeting between American Magic and INEOS Britannia followed with the wind slightly up from the morning, and this should have been a telling match for a British team that struggled to find its footing and pace in the Preliminary Regatta. It had been a rough start to the regatta for helmsman Ben Ainslie who’d also been reportedly mugged at knifepoint in Barcelona over the weekend and robbed of his Rolex.

He wouldn’t have needed the timepiece in the team’s start against American Magic. The Americans were off the foil before they even entered the start box from the starboard entry. “Go ugly early,” is the saying.

With Patriot unable to start properly or get on the foil, INEOS was off and running with a gift of a point. Over the course of the six-leg race the Americans were able to take significant bites out of the British lead, but again, close doesn’t count—no win, no points.

“American Magic had a few issues at the start so we had a big old gap there and we didn’t feel like we sailed a particularly great race in terms of either defending the lead or finding the right balance and the groove in the boat,” said Ainslie to AC Media after racing. “So, we spent a bit of time after racing just trying to figure that out, particularly on the maneuvers which we know are so key in these conditions. I think it’s a positive result but there’s plenty to work on.”

From the American camp, Port helmsman Paul Goodison attributed the team’s race woes to a wrong jib selection before the race start. “When we came across to the starboard end of the line for the start, we saw 5 to 6 knots wind speed and it was too light to maneuver,” he told AC Media. “So, we shot ourselves in the foot there but after that it was impressive how we pulled ourselves back together and kept on chasing, chasing, chasing.

“We are bitterly disappointed. We wanted a win today and we are going to have to take a good hard look at what went wrong in the start box. But there is plenty positive to take away from how we sailed the boat and how we managed to keep clawing it back in conditions that were hard to come back in.”

The fourth and final race of the day had the Italians back on the racecourse with the French for their second races of the day, and once again the green crew of Orient Racing Express held their own in the pre-start, but the Italian’s are sailing at a much higher level, and Spithill and Bruni bossed them from the first cross onward.

Thus, the day ended with Kiwis atop the leaderboard, but soon after, word spread quickly around Barcelona’s Port Vell that the crane handling the team’s AC75 Taihoro had a malfunction and dropped the boat into its cradle from a height of several meters. A team statement issued late Thursday, August 29, said they would not be racing until “a full plan for the repair of Taihoro is in place.”

Observers in the area noted damage to one of the boat’s foils, as well possible damage to the boat’s bow area.

“Clearly this is a setback for the team at such an important time of the campaign,” said CEO Grant Dalton. “These are the moments that can define an America’s Cup campaign, and we have an amazing group of dedicated and talented people who will be working around the clock on getting the boat repaired. We will not be sailing tomorrow at least, and will provide further updates on the outlook in due course.”

With the Kiwis out, INEOS and Orient Express lose opportunities to race tomorrow, leaving the remaining two races: starting the day with American Magic and Alinghi and Luna Rossa against American Magic, which will have the American tapping their entire cyclor team.

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The Ultimate Guide to Yacht Racing Rules and Regulations

by yachtman
September 6, 2023 June 22, 2024

Yacht racing is an exciting sport! It requires skill, accuracy, and knowledge of rules . These regulations guarantee fair play and safety. To really appreciate the activity, you must understand the regulations.

At first, navigating the rules may seem intimidating. But breaking them down into chunks makes it easier. One important point is the hierarchy between boats. It shows which boat should give way in different situations.

It’s also important to know the race signals. They communicate crucial info, such as race starts and course changes. Participants and spectators need to know these.

Stay updated on any rule changes or amendments issued by World Sailing . They refine existing regulations and add new ones to improve the sport. Knowing the latest rules will give you confidence.

Finally, read case studies of past incidents/disputes during yacht races. This way you can learn from mistakes and be ready for unexpected situations.

Understanding the Basic Rules of Yacht Racing

Understanding the Fundamental Regulations of Yacht Racing

Yacht racing involves a set of basic rules and regulations that govern the competition. These rules are essential for ensuring fair play and safety on the water. To help you understand the fundamental regulations of yacht racing, here is a beginner’s guide to yacht racing :

Start Line Procedure: Before the race begins, all yachts must line up at the designated starting line. This line is typically marked by buoys or flags, and competitors must position themselves according to the rules specified by the race committee.
Right of Way: Yacht racing follows a set of right-of-way rules that determine which yacht has precedence in certain situations. For example, a yacht on a starboard tack (wind coming from the right side) usually has right of way over a yacht on a port tack (wind coming from the left side).
Mark Roundings: Yacht courses often include marks, such as buoys or flags, that competitors must round during the race. The rules specify how yachts should approach and pass these marks to ensure fair competition and prevent collisions.
Protests and Penalties: If a competitor believes that another yacht has violated the rules, they can file a protest with the race committee. The committee will then investigate the incident and may impose penalties on the offending yacht if the protest is upheld.
Finishing Line: The race concludes at the finishing line, which is typically marked by buoys or flags. Yachts must pass this line in the correct direction and often have to radio or signal their finish time to the race committee.

These steps outline the key elements of understanding the fundamental regulations of yacht racing. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these rules to ensure a safe and fair competition.

Pro Tip: Before participating in a yacht race, take the time to thoroughly study and understand the specific rules and regulations for that event. This will help you navigate the race effectively and avoid unnecessary penalties.

Get ready to navigate through a sea of confusing jargon as we dive into the essential terminology of yacht racing – it’s like learning a new language, but with more wind in your sails.

Essential Terminology in Yacht Racing

Yacht racing requires a unique language to be mastered by all sailors. Knowing these terms is essential for successful communication and cooperation during races.

Check out some of the key vocab words used in yacht racing:

Term	Definition
Beam	Width of boat at widest point.
Buoy	Floating marker to show a point on race course.
Mast	Vertical spar holding up sails.
Tacking	Turning the bow through wind, changing sails’ sides.
Jib	Triangular sail at front of boat.
Windward	Direction from which wind blows.
Leeward	Direction away from wind blowing, opposite to windward.

Plus, other crucial terms like “luffing” (sail fluttering due to lack of wind), “tiller” (lever for steering boat) and “hull speed” (maximum speed a boat can reach in water).

Pro Tip: Get to know these essential yacht racing terms to up your enjoyment of this exciting sport!

Key Rules and Regulations for Yacht Racing

Yacht Racing: A Comprehensive Guide to Rules and Regulations

The rules and regulations governing yacht racing are crucial for ensuring fair and competitive events. Understanding these guidelines is essential for both participants and organizers to guarantee a level playing field and maintain the integrity of the sport. Below, we have compiled a table highlighting key rules and regulations for yacht racing in an easily accessible format.

Key Rules and Regulations for Yacht Racing:

Rule Number	Rule Description
1	Start line procedures must be followed precisely to avoid penalties.
2	Proper course adherence is mandatory; any deviation may result in disqualification.
3	Fouls and collisions should be avoided during the race; offenders may face penalties.
4	Crew size, boat specifications, and safety equipment requirements must be met.
5	Protest procedures allow competitors to report rule violations, triggering investigations.
6	Weather conditions may lead to race postponement or cancellation to ensure participant safety.
7	Time limits are set for each race, and failure to finish within the specified time may result in disqualification.
8	Right-of-way rules dictate how boats should interact on the water to prevent accidents.
9	Scoring systems are applied to determine winners based on elapsed time, corrected time, or handicap ratings.
10	Anti-doping regulations are enforced to maintain the integrity of yacht racing as a clean sport.

These rules and regulations provide a framework that allows for fair competition and keeps participants safe. However, it is important to note that each race may have additional guidelines specific to the event or location, and participants should familiarize themselves with these unique details.

One such incident in the world of yacht racing involved a team that, due to a technical malfunction, found themselves adrift just moments after the race had begun. With quick thinking and teamwork, they managed to rectify the issue, rejoin the race, and ultimately finished in an impressive third place. This story illustrates the resilience and determination required in yacht racing, where unforeseen challenges can arise at any moment.

Yacht racing rules and regulations are comprehensive and necessary for maintaining fairness and safety. By adhering to these guidelines and being prepared for unexpected circumstances, participants can fully engage in the thrilling and competitive world of yacht racing.

Navigating through the racing course is like playing chess, except the pieces are yachts and the stakes are higher – imagine the drama when someone accidentally knocks over the queen!

Racing Course and Markings

Ahoy, mateys! Hop on board for a wild race on the high seas! It’s time to learn about the racing course : a carefully crafted area for a thrilling competition . Keep your eyes peeled for the start line – it marks the beginning of the race. Then, look out for the turn marks ; these designated points show where sailors must change direction. Finally, the finish line indicates the end of the race.

If ye want to be the best sailor, ye must understand these course and marking details. It’s essential for a successful yacht racing experience, so don’t miss out! Time to set sail and make your mark in the world of yacht racing.

Right of Way and Collision Avoidance

In yacht racing, we must pay close attention to the right of way and collision avoidance. Following specific rules and regulations is key to ensuring a fair race and preventing accidents.

Let’s look at the key rules related to right of way and collision avoidance in yacht racing:

Rule Number	Rule Description
10	Left boat must keep clear of right boat
11	Upwind boat must keep clear of downwind boat
12	Overtaking boat must keep clear of the one being overtaken
13	Give-way boat must take early action to keep clear

These rules are just the beginning of the comprehensive regulations. Now, let’s look at a unique detail. In some cases, when two yachts on different tacks approach a mark, they may have equal rights. It’s important for skippers to communicate and coordinate to avoid possible collisions.

To show the importance of following these rules, here’s a story. During a competitive race, two yachts were nearing a turning point. The skipper of one boat did not yield the right of way, which violated rule number 10. Both boats were damaged and their chances of winning were ruined. This serves as a reminder that even small errors can have big consequences in yacht racing.

Starting and Finishing Procedures

Before the yacht race, boats must gather in the starting area. Skippers must steer clear of any collisions or rule-breaking.

Next comes the starting sequence – with flags or sound signals showing the time until the race starts. Skippers must pay close attention to them.

Once the final signal is given, the yachts race across the start line. Skippers must judge their entry properly to get an advantage and stay within the racing rules.

At the end of the race, the finish line is reached. Skippers should navigate and strategize here to cross it fast while following regulations.

Each race may have different start and finish procedures. Participants must read instructions from race organizers to stick to all rules.

The America’s Cup is one of the oldest sailing competitions. It began in 1851 around the Isle of Wight. It’s a big international event now, with teams competing every few years for the trophy.

Safety Guidelines for Yacht Racing

Safety Measures for Yacht Racing

Yacht racing events prioritize the safety of participants to prevent accidents and mishaps. Here are essential safety guidelines for yacht racing:

Adhere to proper safety equipment regulations, including life jackets and distress signaling devices.
Ensure all crew members are familiar with emergency procedures and know the location of safety equipment on the yacht.
Maintain clear communication channels, using appropriate radio frequencies or signals during the race.
Regularly inspect and maintain all equipment on board to ensure it is in proper working condition.
Monitor weather conditions and take necessary precautions, such as altering course or seeking shelter in case of inclement weather.
Adhere to collision-avoidance rules, maintaining a safe distance from other yachts and objects in the water.

It is important to stay up to date with the latest safety guidelines and regulations in the yacht racing community to ensure the well-being of all participants.

Yacht Racing Safety History:

Throughout the history of yacht racing, safety measures have evolved to enhance participant protection. Collaborations with maritime organizations and advances in technology have led to the development of comprehensive safety regulations and equipment. The efforts have significantly reduced the number of accidents and increased the safety of yacht racing as a sport.

Yacht racing may be a high-stakes sport, but remember, not everyone can pull off the bold fashion statement that is a life jacket.

Personal Safety Equipment

To ensure success in yacht races, it’s important to prioritize safety! All sailors should wear a well-fitted life jacket at all times to provide buoyancy aid. Personal locator beacons transmit distress signals if someone falls overboard. A harness with a tether will keep sailors attached to the boat. Protective clothing, such as gloves, boots and waterproof gear, guards against hypothermia and injuries. Reliable communication devices are necessary for crew members to stay in touch. Also, inspect all safety equipment regularly.

To further enhance safety, organizers can do regular safety drills. Employing support vessels is key for immediate response. Establishing clear communication protocols allows for effective coordination. By following these suggestions, yacht racers can reduce risks and maximize safety levels. Safety equipment and measures are essential elements for successful yacht races!

Safety Precautions on the Water

Yacht racing can be thrilling – but don’t forget to stay safe! Here are some essential tips:

Always wear a life jacket : No matter how experienced you are, you can never be too careful.
Check weather conditions: Sudden storms or high winds can make racing conditions dangerous.
Create a communication plan: Make sure everyone in your crew is informed of any hazards or changes in course.

Plus, don’t forget to research local rules and regulations. Safety should always come first! So, gear up and get ready for a thrilling experience on the water. Enjoy the fun and camaraderie of yacht racing – just remember to stay safe!

Common Penalties and Protest Procedures

Yacht racing penalties and protest procedures involve various rules and regulations that must be followed. To ensure fair competition and resolve any disputes, there are consequences for violations. Here is a breakdown of the common penalties and the procedures for lodging a protest:

Penalty	Description
Time Penalty	A certain amount of time added to the offending boat’s finish time as a consequence of breaking a rule.
Disqualification	The offending boat is removed from the race results due to a serious rule violation.
Protest	A formal complaint lodged by a boat or its crew against another boat for an alleged rule violation. This initiates the protest procedure.
Hearing	A meeting held to assess the validity of a protest and gather evidence from both parties involved. A protest committee determines if a rule violation occurred and assigns penalties if necessary.
Appeal	A process that allows a boat to challenge the decision made by the protest committee if they believe it to be unfair or incorrect.

It’s important to note that each yacht race may have its specific procedures and penalties, so it’s crucial for participants to familiarize themselves with the rules beforehand. This ensures a fair and competitive environment for all racers.

Understanding the common penalties and protest procedures is vital for yacht racers to navigate the intricacies of the sport. By abiding by the rules and properly addressing any issues through the protest process, participants can ensure a level playing field, maintaining the integrity and fairness of yacht racing.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to compete fairly and enjoy the thrilling experience of yacht racing. Familiarize yourself with the penalties and procedures to avoid any confusion or missed chances. Stay informed and make the most of your yacht racing journey.

“Being disqualified in yacht racing is like being told you’ve won the lottery, but then realizing it’s April Fool’s Day.”

Types of Penalties in Yacht Racing

Penalties in yacht racing are necessary to ensure fairness and compliance with the rules. These penalties act as a deterrent against any wrongdoings or rule-breaking, keeping the sport’s integrity intact.

A descriptive table can help us understand the various types of penalties in yacht racing:

Penalty Type	Description
OCS	On Course Side – Premature start
ZFP	Z Flag Penalty – Breaking early start rule
PIN	Powerboat Is Near – Insufficient clearance
RDG	Redress Awarded – Compensation for unfairness
DSQ	Disqualification – Serious rule infringement
BFD	Black Flag Disqualification – Aggravated breach
DNF	Did Not Finish – Failure to complete race

These penalties have serious consequences, which act as a warning to sailors not to take any unfair advantages or act dangerously. Knowing these penalties is essential for competing in yacht racing.

Penalties have been part of yacht racing since the beginning. They were put in place to maintain order in races and create a fair playing field. Over time, these penalties have been adapted to fit the changing dynamics of the sport.

A good grasp of the penalties in yacht racing helps competitors perform better on the water. It also promotes sportsmanship and upholds the spirit of fair play in this exciting discipline.

Initiating and Resolving Protests

Pinpoint the issue .
Be sure it follows the rules.
Gather data, facts, and material.
Create a clear and concise statement.
Submit the complaint to the right body.
Talk to the parties.
Look for a fair outcome through negotiation or mediation.
Pay attention to deadlines.
Respect protocols.
Take charge and protect your rights.
Act now and make sure your voice is heard!

Strategies and Tactics in Yacht Racing

Strategies and tactics are vital in the world of yacht racing. Understanding the nuances of this sport can make a significant difference in performance. Here, we explore some essential strategies and tactics employed by skilled yacht racers.

Strategy/Tactic	Description
Wind Shifts	Yacht racers closely monitor wind shifts and adjust their course accordingly to gain a competitive advantage.
Start Line Strategy	A well-executed start is crucial. Racers carefully position their boats at the start line to maximize their speed and minimize the distance they need to cover.
Sail Trimming	Effective sail trimming plays a crucial role in optimizing speed and maneuverability. Yacht racers constantly adjust their sails to adapt to changing conditions.
Mark Roundings	Expert racers strategically approach mark roundings to ensure they maintain their position relative to competitors.
Tactical Covering	Yacht racers strategically position themselves to cover their opponents, blocking their wind and impeding their progress.

In yacht racing, there are unique details to consider, such as utilizing current knowledge to select the best racing route. Additionally, understanding the impact of tidal flows and currents can help racers make more informed decisions during a race.

To become a successful yacht racer, it is crucial to study and practice these strategies and tactics diligently. By mastering these techniques, one can maximize their chances of success and stay ahead of the competition.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to excel in yacht racing. Enhance your skills by incorporating these strategies and tactics into your training regimen. Start implementing them today and take a step closer to becoming a champion on the water.

Positioning and Sail Trim Techniques: Where you’re positioned on the yacht may determine if you’re the first to cross the finish line or the first to take an unexpected dip in the water.

Positioning and Sail Trim Techniques

Table of Positioning & Sail Trim Techniques:

Technique	Description
Windward/Leeward	Adjusting sails upwind to keep optimum angle to wind (close-hauled) or downwind (running).
Centre of Effort	Balancing boat’s centerline with sail power to boost stability and control.
Telltales	Thin ribbons attached to sails to check airflow patterns – helpful for trimming sails.
Roll Tacking	Quick maneuvers by rolling from one tack to another with body weight distribution.

Plus, spinnaker handling has methods like gybing – shifting the spinnaker from one side to the other when sailing downwind. Helm balance is critical to good steering during racing.

Sir Ben Ainslie , a great sailor, said mastering positioning and sail trim techniques is the difference between successful racers and those who have difficulty competing in yacht racing events.

Reading Wind and Weather Conditions

Wind and weather conditions are essential for yacht racing. They let sailors make wise decisions, plan well, and have an edge. Here’s what to know about understanding these conditions:

Observation – Skilled sailors look closely at wind direction, strength, and patterns. They keep an eye on clouds, waves, and temperature changes. By doing this, they can predict future weather shifts.
Analyzing – Racers check forecasts, barometric readings, and sea temps. They combine this with their observations to get a clear picture of present and future winds.
Adaptability – Successful sailors change their strategies with the changing conditions. They often reassess their tactics during the race, to take advantage of good winds or limit bad weather.

Yacht racers also think about local geography, tidal currents, and nearby landforms. This helps them sail complex courses accurately.

Sarah, a seasoned sailor , showed her skill in reading wind and weather conditions. Though she started in a difficult spot due to unfavorable winds, she noticed slight changes in the breeze. She used this knowledge to take risks while maneuvering her boat. Making smart decisions based on changing conditions, Sarah won in speed and tactics.

Reading wind and weather conditions is essential for yacht racers. With keen observation, data analysis, and flexibility, sailors can do well on the water. So, if you’re joining a regatta or a sailing trip, mastering this art is important for success.

Resources and Additional Information

The following section provides additional resources and information related to yacht racing rules and regulations. These resources can be helpful for further understanding and clarifying the various aspects of the sport.

Visit reputable online platforms such as yacht racing associations, federations, and governing bodies for comprehensive rules and regulations.
Explore websites that provide educational materials, instructional videos, and interactive tools to enhance your knowledge.
Delve into specialized publications authored by renowned sailors, coaches, and officials. These books cover a wide range of topics, including racing tactics, strategies, and the intricacies of specific rules.
Engage with fellow enthusiasts, experienced sailors, and professionals on sailing forums and online communities. These platforms offer valuable insights, practical tips, and discussions on various rules and racing scenarios.

It is essential to stay updated with the latest developments and amendments in the rules to ensure compliance and maintain fair competition. Continuously seek new sources of information to enhance your understanding of yacht racing regulations and improve your performance on the water.

Yacht racing rules and regulations have evolved over time to ensure fairness and safety in the sport. The sport’s history is replete with instances of rule modifications and adaptations to address emerging challenges and technological advancements. A testament to the sailing community’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field and promoting the spirit of competition.

Get ready to navigate through a sea of paperwork and bureaucracy as we dive into the world of associations and governing bodies where bold sailors become masters of red tape.

Associations and Governing Bodies

Associations and Governing Bodies are vital for managing various industries. We present an overview of some important associations and governing bodies relevant to distinct sectors. To make it easier to understand, let’s list out the information in a table:

Association/Governing Body	Sector/Industry
American Medical Association	Healthcare
International Olympic Committee	Sports
American Bar Association	Legal
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers	Engineering

This table shows some examples of associations and governing bodies from many areas. Each association has a major role in setting up standards, creating rules, and promoting collaboration within its industry.

It’s worth noting that there are other associations and governing bodies in other places, each doing their part to foster growth and uphold ethical practices. These organizations often provide materials such as industry-particular research, networking chances, and professional growth programs.

Pro Tip: To stay up to date with the most recent developments in your field, participate actively in related associations or governing bodies. This can help you stay ahead and build valuable connections within your sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is yacht racing?

Yacht racing is a competitive sport where sailboats or yachts compete against each other in a designated course to determine the fastest or most skillful boat.

What are the basic rules of yacht racing?

The basic rules of yacht racing include giving way to other boats, avoiding collisions, understanding right of way, and following course boundaries. Each race may also have specific rules and regulations.

How are yacht racing courses determined?

Yacht racing courses are determined by race organizers and can vary depending on the type of race and the location. Courses typically include marks, buoys, or specific geographic points that boats must navigate around.

What is the role of a race committee in yacht racing?

The race committee is responsible for organizing and overseeing yacht races. They set the course, establish starting and finishing lines, enforce rules, and ensure fair competition.

Do yacht racing rules change for different types of boats?

Yes, yacht racing rules can vary slightly depending on the class or type of boat. Different classes may have specific regulations regarding sail dimensions, equipment, or crew size.

How can I learn more about yacht racing rules and regulations?

To learn more about yacht racing rules and regulations, you can refer to official rulebooks such as the Racing Rules of Sailing published by World Sailing. You can also seek guidance from experienced sailors or enroll in sailing courses.