Mullingar Sailing Club

1.1    Personal Preparation :                Clothing :  What works for you. Diet :                Drink :   Dehydration. (Loss of Performance) Sleep :   Physical Preparation : Mental Preparation :   Rules : Knowing the Rules. (download THE RACING RULES OF SAILING for 2005–2008 -  887Kb pdf file) The rules of sailing are not as complex as they first appear. Most sailors will get away with just knowing a few of the basics rules. The best way to get to know the rules is to relate them to incidents which you have had. In order to help newcomers to sailboat racing, ISAF have produced an experimental set of Introductory Rules for Racing complete with some explanatory diagrams. The aim of the Introductory Rules for Racing is simple; make as it easy as possible for people to start racing. Consequently the Introductory Rules are as basic as possible, although they remain compatible with the principles and fundamenta rules in the full ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). 27 February 2008, version 1.1 If you are involved in an incident on the water and you do not know if you or in the right are the wrong check the rule book after or ask someone, so you will know for again. Rules regularly get misquoted on and off the water. This is not always malicious but people think they know the rules, if in doubt get a second opinion or check the rule book. (360’s and 720’s), it is worth practicing these manoeuvres. They can be preformed quite quickly and without losing to much time or distance once you are used to doing them.    Practice Them. Start sequence : Sound and flag signals The standard race start sequence is specified by Rule 26 of The Racing Rules of Sailing. "Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded." Signal Flag and sound Minutes before starting signal Warning Class flag; 1 sound 5 Preparatory Flags P, I, Z, Z with I, or black flag; 1 sound 4 One-minute Preparatory flag removed; 1 long sound 1 Starting Class flag removed; 1 sound 0 Preparatory Flag(s) Meaning P Normal preparatory flag; no starting penalties are in effect. Boats that are over the line at the start can return through the line or round the ends. I The Round-an-End Rule 30.1 will be in effect. If a boat is over the line during the minute before the start then they must sail to the pre-start side of the line around either end before starting. Z The 20% Penalty Rule 30.2 will be in effect. If a boat is in the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark during the minute before the start it will receive a 20% scoring penalty. Black Flag The Black Flag Rule 30.3 will be in effect. If boat formed by the ends of the line and the first mark minute before its start it will be disqualified. I & Z Both the Round-an-End Rule and the 20% Penalty Rule will be in effect during the minute before the start. Race Flags Meaning X Individual Recall, X flag First Sub. General Recall, First Substitute flag S Course has been shortened C Position of next mark has changed AP Postponed  Blue Flag Finish boat on station   ( 2 page pdf  file from the ISAF showing the flags and there meanings ) next