Racing Rules Companion 2021-2024

By Bryan Willis

Bryan Willis' Racing Rules Companion is the invaluable pocket reference guide to the essentials of the racing rules, updated for the latest 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing. Every racing sailor should have a copy! It will build their knowledge and make them more confident on the race course. The book summarises the basic principles, definitions and rules and then covers every aspect of the race, with sections on starts, mark rounding, obstructions, signals, and dispute resolution. Colour diagrams throughout ensure the concepts are easily understood. Splash-proof and spiral bound, this little companion stands up to frequent use and serves as a great aide-memoire that will fit into your pocket or kit bag. Written by the acknowledged rules expert, Bryan Willis who is also author of the best-selling rules guide, Rules in Practice 2021-2024.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fernhurst Books Limited
• Release date: Nov 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781912621309

Bryan Willis

Bryan Willis is a leading authority on the rules of yacht and dinghy racing. He has been chairman of the jury and chief umpire for some of the most prestigious sailing events in the world, including the America’s Cup and Olympics. He served on the International Sailing Federation (now World Sailing) Racing Rules Committee for over 25 years.

Book preview

BASIC PRINCIPLES

PLAYING THE GAME

Racing sailors are on trust to play the game of sailing fairly and comply with the racing rules. When you accidentally break a rule you must take a penalty unless you are exonerated. Cheating, lying, or playing the game unfairly can be penalised severely. If you must cheat, please take up another sport.

BASIC PRINCIPLE:

‘Sportsmanship and the Rules’

RULE 2

HELPING THOSE IN DANGER

You must help any person or vessel in danger. You can be compensated with points for the position in which you would have finished.

RULE 1.1

PROPULSION

With some exceptions, you must use only the wind and water to increase, maintain, or decrease your boat’s speed. You may adjust the trim of sails and hull, and perform other acts of seamanship, but must not otherwise move your body to propel the boat.

Three of the exceptions are:

(a) You may move your body to exaggerate the rolling that helps the boat through a tack or a gybe, provided that, immediately afterwards, your boat’s speed is not greater than it would have been in the absence of the tack or gybe.

(b) When surfing (rapidly accelerating down the front of a wave), or planing is possible, the crew may pull the sheet and the guy of any sail in order to initiate surfing or planing, but only once for each wave or gust of wind.