BackgroundThe notice of race for an event listed a practice race in the schedule of races, to take place on the day before Race 1.
During the practice race, there is an incident where boat A on port fails to keep clear of boat B on starboard. There is a collision and physical damage to boat B.
Boat B protests and requests redress for being unable to sail on day 1 because of the damage.
Question 1Did the Racing Rules of Sailing apply to the practice race?
Answer 1Yes.
Question 2May a boat protest or request redress because of an incident during the practice race?
Answer 2Yes.
Question 3If the answer to the previous questions is yes, may a boat be penalized?
Answer 3Yes.
Question 4If yes, for which race will the penalty be applied, and what would the penalty be?
Answer 4The penalty is disqualification from the race in question, in this case the practice race (see rule
64.1).
Question 5May a boat that was physically damaged be entitled to redress, and if yes, for which race(s) should the redress be given?
Answer 5Yes, a boat may be entitled to redress in a practice race. If the damage to the boat entitled to redress is such that repairs expand over subsequent races (in this case races on day 1), redress may be given for these races, provided that the decision follows the provisions of World Sailing Case
116.
Question 6Does it make any difference whether the damage was serious or not?
Answer 6No.
Question 7May a breach during a practice race result in a boat being penalized in more races than the practice race?
Answer 7Generally no, but it may depend on the rule(s) broken.
Some rules such as rule
5 and rule
69 are not race specific.
Question 8When do the rules, as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing, begin to apply at an event and when do they cease to apply?
Answer 8Different rules will begin and cease to apply at times appropriate to the rule in question, for example:
(a) Rules regarding entry may apply from the moment a boat starts the entry process.
(b) Rule
69 applies as detailed in the World Sailing Misconduct guidance, but in general whenever the conduct can be associated with the event.
(c) Rule
5, Anti-Doping, and rule
6, Betting and Anti-Corruption, may apply out of competition. And, some rules specify when they apply, for example:
(d) The rules of parts
2 and
4 apply as specified in the preamble to Part 2.
(e) Rule
31, Touching a Mark, applies while racing.
Rule
78.1 requires a boat to be compliant with her class rules, but only while racing.