May the notice of race or sailing instructions state that, while the right of appeal is not denied, final regatta standings and awards will not be affected by any appeal decision?

No. Rule 86.1 prohibits changing any part of rule 70, 71 or 90 in the notice of race or sailing instructions. An appeal involves not only the adjudication of a dispute on the meaning of a rule but also, in the event of a change or reversal of the decision of the protest committee, an adjustment of the results of the race and the final standings of the event on which the awards are based. Rule 71.4 states that the decision of the national authority is final, and rule 90.3(d) requires the race committee to implement any scoring changes directed by the national authority. In addition, the distribution of awards must be adjusted appropriately.

Rule 90.3(e) permits the notice of race to limit scoring changes after the end of an event. However, the rule clearly states that, even when it applies, changes resulting from an appeal must be implemented.

USA 1983/252