[gpsbug] Racing Rules Revision
- From: "John" <j.wandling@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "WhiteShoal \('Gpsbug@Freelists. Org '\)" <gpsbug@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:46:59 -0400
Just got back from a rules seminar. There are a number of changes from last
year. The most significant of these was to redefine the "zone" around a
mark or obstructions as three boat lengths rather than two. The boat length
is determined by the first boat in the zone. This is where rules regarding
room and ability to maneouver kick in, so you might want to do a little
research. Most of this stuff is covered in rule 18.
Generally, you still have to give room to a boat which establishes overlap
in the zone and is inside of you with respect to the mark or obstruction.
This is common sense, you can't simply run up and force an inside boat into
an obstruction or onto the wrong side of a mark.
The zone also applies to the weather mark, and requires that you cannot tack
in front of a starboard tack boat (assuming you are on port). Again, the US
Sailing folks are just trying to keep us from running into one another (or
something else). This change makes it much more desireable to approach a
weather mark on the starboard tack. The "starboard tack parade" will be
longer, but there should be no port tackers trying to break in within three
boat lengths of the mark.
New rulebooks are available from US Sailing and other sources.
See ya.
John
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