Everything you need to know about

INTERNATIONAL SAILING FEDERATION (ISAF) NEW BRIEF RACING RULES

FOR SLALOM AND COURSE RACING INCLUDING COURSE/SLALOM AND LONG DISTANCE

but didn't know who to ask

These new rules pertain to all forms of Racing (Course, Course/Slalom, Long Distance, etc.) and Slalom Racing. They're easy to understand, simple and work both at a mark and between marks.

DEFINITIONS

Right-of-Way Line The right-of-way line is an imaginary line through the bow of the sailboard at 90 degrees to the line between the two course marks that bound the leg on which she is sailing.

Inside and Outside The inside of a sailboard is the side on which she shall leave the next course mark. The outside of a sailboard is her other side.

Overtaking A sailboard is overtaking from the time she establishes an overlap from clear astern until:

• When overtaking on the outside, she is clear ahead, or when overtaking on the inside, her r-o-w line is ahead of the r-o-w line of the overtaken sailboard.

• When an overlap exists while approaching the starting line to start, the windward sailboard is the overtaking sailboard.

BRIEF RULES

13.1 When one sailboard is required to keep clear of another, the r-o-w sailboard shall not alter course so as to obstruct the other sailboard while she is keeping clear.

13.2 When the race committee specifies that surf conditions exists: a) A sailboard this is coming in shall keep clear of a sailboard that is going out. b) A port-tack sailboard that is neither going out nor coming in shall keep clear of a starboard-tack sailboard.

Otherwise: A port-tack sailboard shall keep clear of a starboard-tack sailboard.

13.1 Except when gybing around a mark, a sailboard that is either tacking or gybing shall keep clear of a sailboard on a tack.

13.4 a) A sailboard overtaking on the inside shall keep clear of an overtaken sailboard until her r-o-w line is ahead of the r-o-w line of the overtaken sailboard. b) A sailboard overtaking on the outside shall keep clear of an overtaken sailboard throughout the existence of that overlap.

SUMMARY

The new rules are simple and work both at a mark and between marks!

If you re the inside windsurfer and you re overtaking the outside windsurfer, then keep clear until your r-o-w line (i.e. the front tip of your board) passes the r-o-w line (i.e. the front tip) of the board you re overtaking. Then you can hail "coming up" and head the outside windsurfer upwind if you want.

If you're the outside windsurfer, and you re overtaking the inside windsurfer, you must keep clear until you re clear ahead. Then you can cut inside.

>>>