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Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS)

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Showing: World Sailing — Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028

Part 1 — Fundamental Rules

Rule 1 — Safety

1.1 A boat or competitor shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.

1.2 A boat shall carry adequate lifesaving equipment for all persons on board, including one item ready for immediate use, unless her class rules make other provisions.

Rule 2 — Fair Sailing

A boat and her owner shall compete in compliance with recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play. A boat may be penalized under this rule only if it is clearly established that these principles have been violated.

Rule 3 — Acceptance of the Rules

By participating in a race conducted under these racing rules, each competitor and boat owner agrees to accept these rules and be governed by them.

Rule 4 — Decision to Race

The responsibility for a boat's decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.

Rule 5 — Anti-Doping

A competitor shall comply with the World Anti-Doping Code and the Sailing Anti-Doping Code.

Part 2 — When Boats Meet

Rule 10 — On Opposite Tacks

When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.

Rule 11 — On the Same Tack, Overlapped

When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.

Rule 12 — On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped

When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.

Rule 13 — While Tacking

After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply.

Rule 14 — Avoiding Contact

A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible. However, a right-of-way boat or one sailing within the room or mark-room to which she is entitled need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or mark-room.

Rule 15 — Acquiring Right of Way

When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat room to keep clear, unless she acquires right of way because of the other boat's actions.

Rule 16 — Changing Course

16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.

16.2 In addition, on a beat to windward when a port-tack boat is keeping clear by sailing to pass astern of a starboard-tack boat, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course if as a result the port-tack boat would immediately need to change course to continue to keep clear.

Rule 17 — On the Same Tack; Proper Course

If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on the same tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat.

Rule 18 — Mark-Room

18.1 Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward.

18.2 Giving Mark-Room: (a) When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room, unless rule 18.2(b) applies. (b) If boats are overlapped when the first of them reaches the zone, the outside boat at that moment shall thereafter give the inside boat mark-room. If a boat is clear ahead when she reaches the zone, the boat clear astern at that moment shall thereafter give her mark-room. (c) When a boat is required to give mark-room, she shall continue to do so even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.

18.3 Tacking or Gybing: When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark to sail her proper course, until she gybes she shall sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail that course. Rule 18.3 does not apply at a gate mark.

Rule 19 — Room to Pass an Obstruction

19.1 Rule 19 applies between boats at an obstruction except when it is also a mark the boats are required to leave on the same side.

19.2 Giving Room: (a) A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on either side. (b) When boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat room between her and the obstruction, unless she has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began.

Rule 20 — Room to Tack at an Obstruction

20.1 A boat may hail for room to tack and avoid a boat on the same tack. However, she shall not hail unless safety requires her to make a substantial course change to avoid the obstruction, and she shall not hail if she is sailing below close-hauled.

20.2 After a boat hails, (a) she shall give the hailed boat time to respond; (b) the hailed boat shall respond by either tacking as soon as possible, or immediately replying 'You tack' and then giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid her.

Rule 21 — Exoneration

When a boat is sailing within the room or mark-room to which she is entitled, she shall be exonerated if she breaks a rule of Section A or rule 15 or 16.

Part 2 — Other Section C & D Rules

Rule 28 — Sailing the Course

A boat shall start, sail the course and then finish. While doing so, she may leave on either side a mark that does not begin, bound or end the leg she is sailing.

Rule 29 — Recalls

29.1 Individual Recall: When at a boat's starting signal any part of her hull is on the course side of the starting line, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound. The flag shall be displayed until all such boats have sailed completely to the pre-start side.

29.2 General Recall: When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side or there has been an error in the starting procedure, the race committee may signal a general recall (display First Substitute with two sounds).

Rule 31 — Touching a Mark

While racing, a boat shall not touch a starting mark before starting, a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the course on which she is sailing, or a finishing mark after finishing.

Rule 44 — Penalties at the Time of an Incident

44.1 Taking a Penalty: A boat may take a Two-Turns Penalty when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 in an incident while racing. Alternatively, the notice of race or sailing instructions may specify the use of the Scoring Penalty or some other penalty.

44.2 One-Turn and Two-Turns Penalties: After getting well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as possible, a boat takes a One-Turn or Two-Turns Penalty by promptly making the required number of turns in the same direction, each turn including one tack and one gybe.

Part 5 — Protests & Redress

Rule 61 — Protest Requirements

61.1 Informing the Protestee: (a) A boat intending to protest shall inform the other boat at the first reasonable opportunity. When her protest concerns an incident in the racing area, she shall hail 'Protest' and conspicuously display a red flag at the first reasonable opportunity for each. She shall display the flag until she is no longer racing.

Rule 62 — Redress

A boat that believes her score or place in a race or series has been or may be significantly worsened through no fault of her own may request redress. Reasons include: improper action by the race committee, physical damage from a boat breaking a Part 2 rule, giving help in compliance with rule 1.1, or an action of a boat penalized under rule 2.

Key Definitions

Keep Clear

A boat keeps clear of a right-of-way boat if the right-of-way boat can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action and, when the boats are overlapped on the same tack, if the leeward boat can change course in both directions without immediately making contact with the windward boat.

Mark-Room

Room for a boat to leave a mark on the required side. Also, room to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it, and room to round the mark as necessary to sail the course.

Obstruction

An object that a boat, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her hull lengths from it, would need to change course to pass on one side or the other. An object that a boat can safely pass on only one side and an area so designated by the sailing instructions are also obstructions.

Zone

The area around a mark within a distance of three hull lengths of a boat nearer to it. A boat is in the zone when any part of her hull is in the zone.

Proper Course

A course a boat would sail to finish as soon as possible in the absence of other boats referred to in the rule using the term.

Room

The space a boat needs in the existing conditions, including space to comply with her obligations under the rules of Part 2 and rule 31, while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way.

US Sailing Prescriptions to the RRS

These prescriptions are adopted by US Sailing and apply to all races sailed under its jurisdiction within the United States. They modify or supplement the World Sailing Racing Rules.

US Prescription to Rule 3

The prescriptions of US Sailing shall apply. The organizing authority of a race or regatta that is not an international event may change the prescriptions by stating so in the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions.

US Prescription to Rule 60.3(a)

A protest committee may protest a boat, but not based solely on information in a report from an interested party. It may also call a hearing under rule 69 based on its own observation or a report received from any source, including information from a hearing.

US Prescription to Rule 61.1(a)

For boats under 6 meters (20 feet) in overall length, the requirement to display a red flag does not apply. A hail of "Protest" is sufficient. However, the protesting boat shall inform the other boat of her intention to protest at the first reasonable opportunity.

US Prescription to Rule 63.3(a)

A support person who is not a party to the hearing and is representing a party shall be permitted in the hearing. A minor shall be entitled to be accompanied by a support person who may speak on the minor's behalf.

US Prescription to Rule 64.4

If the protest committee has reasonable doubt about a matter related to the protest, it shall resolve the doubt in favor of the protested boat. The standard of proof is a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not), not beyond a reasonable doubt.

US Prescription to Rule 67

The question of damages arising from a breach of any of these rules shall be governed by the applicable prescriptions of US Sailing, if any, and by the law applicable to the matter in dispute.

US Prescription to Rule 69

When a protest committee has acted under rule 69 and reported the facts to US Sailing, the executive director or designee shall review the report. If warranted, a hearing may be scheduled before a Disciplinary Board. Penalties may include suspension of membership, ineligibility for US Sailing events, and reports to the sailor's national authority if applicable.

US Prescription to Rule 70.5

Right of Appeal: Decisions of protest committees may be appealed to US Sailing in accordance with its appeals procedures. The decision of the US Sailing Appeals Committee is final. An appeal shall be made within 15 days of the decision being communicated. An appeal fee shall be paid; it will be refunded if the appeal is upheld.

US Prescription — Alternative Penalties

An organizing authority or class rules may, in the Sailing Instructions, provide for advisory hearings and alternative penalties for Part 2 infractions. Common alternative penalties adopted by US Sailing classes include: (1) a one-turn penalty for minor infractions with no damage or injury; (2) a scoring penalty of 20%; (3) advisory hearings where boats acknowledge an infraction without a formal protest.

US Prescription — Safety Requirements

US Sailing requires compliance with US Coast Guard regulations for all vessels. Personal flotation devices (PFDs) approved by the US Coast Guard shall be worn or carried as required by the Notice of Race and/or Sailing Instructions. In cold water conditions (below 60°F/15.5°C), US Sailing strongly recommends that all competitors wear approved PFDs and appropriate cold-water gear including drysuits or wetsuits.

US Prescription — Measurement & Class Rules

Boats racing in one-design classes (including Snipe) under US Sailing jurisdiction shall comply with the measurement rules of their class. A valid measurement certificate must be available at the event if requested. Class rules may be stricter than the RRS and take precedence where applicable.

Key Differences from World Sailing Rules

Summary of US Sailing Modifications

Red Flag (Rule 61): Boats under 6m/20ft are exempt from displaying a red flag; a hail of "Protest" suffices.
Support Persons (Rule 63): Support persons may represent parties in hearings; minors may have an advocate.
Standard of Proof (Rule 64): US Sailing uses "preponderance of evidence" standard; doubts resolved in favor of the protested boat.
Appeals (Rule 70): 15-day appeal window to US Sailing Appeals Committee; appeal fee required but refundable if upheld.
Rule 69 Discipline: Reports go to US Sailing executive director; may lead to Disciplinary Board hearing and membership suspension.
Safety: Must comply with USCG regulations; PFD and cold-water gear recommendations apply.

Reference: World Sailing — Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028. This is a summary for quick reference. Always consult the official rules for complete text.