Forum: The Racing Rules of Sailing
US Sailing's 2025-2028 Integrated RRS w/USS-Rx Now Available in the US Sailing App with a valuable message from USS's President
P
Angelo GuarinoCertifications:
- Regional Judge
- Fleet Measurer
1
To download and have access to the app, you have to be a member of US Sailing.
It's got great features .... includes the USS Appeals Book, a hearing request filing tool, etc, so well worth getting for anyone racing or officiating in the USA.
Also, the President of US Sailing, Henry Brauer, wrote what I think is a well-stated message as a forward that I thought I'd share (I really like the tune he's singing).
It's certainly is a valuable message to all. Nicely touch Henry!!!
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Greetings to all US Sailors!
We often hear that the goal of regatta organizers is to provide racing that is safe, fair and fun. I think it’s worth reflecting for a moment on what we mean by this mantra.
The rules are written, first of all, to keep us safe by preventing contact between boats, even in the heat of intense competition. The rules of Part 2, When Boats Meet, tell you who has right of way and who must keep clear in each interaction between boats.
Unlike in most other sports, we are charged with holding ourselves and our fellow competitors to the rules: “A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated, she will promptly take an appropriate penalty ….” Call it Corinthian or self-policing, it means the same thing – most of the time it’s the players, not the officials, who enforce the rules. When we make a mistake, we are on our honor to take a penalty and sail on.
When we know that racing will be safe and fair, then we are free to have fun – to enjoy the competition and the beauty of our sport.
Learn the rules – study them, read about them, take a seminar. Many of us enjoy talking about them with fellow sailors … sometimes acted out with plastic boats, paper clips, even the silverware at the dinner table. Many rule changes begin with competitors, so if you have a suggestion, be sure to email it to the US Sailing Racing Rules Committee at rules@ussailing.org.
Finally, I want to thank you, our members, who support US Sailing’s mission and contribute in countless ways to the improvement of our sport.
Fair winds and following seas,
It's got great features .... includes the USS Appeals Book, a hearing request filing tool, etc, so well worth getting for anyone racing or officiating in the USA.
Also, the President of US Sailing, Henry Brauer, wrote what I think is a well-stated message as a forward that I thought I'd share (I really like the tune he's singing).
It's certainly is a valuable message to all. Nicely touch Henry!!!
-------
Greetings to all US Sailors!
We often hear that the goal of regatta organizers is to provide racing that is safe, fair and fun. I think it’s worth reflecting for a moment on what we mean by this mantra.
The rules are written, first of all, to keep us safe by preventing contact between boats, even in the heat of intense competition. The rules of Part 2, When Boats Meet, tell you who has right of way and who must keep clear in each interaction between boats.
Unlike in most other sports, we are charged with holding ourselves and our fellow competitors to the rules: “A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated, she will promptly take an appropriate penalty ….” Call it Corinthian or self-policing, it means the same thing – most of the time it’s the players, not the officials, who enforce the rules. When we make a mistake, we are on our honor to take a penalty and sail on.
When we know that racing will be safe and fair, then we are free to have fun – to enjoy the competition and the beauty of our sport.
Learn the rules – study them, read about them, take a seminar. Many of us enjoy talking about them with fellow sailors … sometimes acted out with plastic boats, paper clips, even the silverware at the dinner table. Many rule changes begin with competitors, so if you have a suggestion, be sure to email it to the US Sailing Racing Rules Committee at rules@ussailing.org.
Finally, I want to thank you, our members, who support US Sailing’s mission and contribute in countless ways to the improvement of our sport.
Fair winds and following seas,
Henry Brauer, President of US Sailing
Comments
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It is simple but profound statement. So important for people who are working towards developing and popularizing sailing. I think this is the mantra for success to take sailing to the masses.
Further, just a thought about -"To download and have access to the app, you have to be a member of US Sailing"
Is it not feasible to make it available to all, maybe at a fee if required, to be able to use the app for learning the rules and enjoying sailing.
Wishing everyone fair winds and a very Happy New Year.
Like I said, Henry is really singing one of my favorite tunes.
I'm about to step-down after 10yrs being my J105 fleet's Measurer and as such I have already stepped-down from the J105 Class TechComm.
IMO, it is the ACTUALITY of fairness but also, just as or maybe more important, it is the REPUTATION OF FAIRNESS which underpins all thriving competition. Nothing is worse for an OD fleet or racing in an area than the persistent whispers of an uneven playing field. We all have seen Classes degrade under the burden of such whispers.
As Fleet Measurer, I have seen it as my #1 job in my fleet to build a reputation of fairness that is not only felt on an individual level, but that is "whispered" beyond our fleet-members. That's what draws racers into a fleet IMO .. the sense that they can enter and have a fair-shake at doing well.
Just as in OD Fleets ... a region can develop a reputation for not following the on-the-water rules ... where holding others to the rules is assigned a stigma. That is the other side of what Henry is talking about.
For those of us Judges and RO's who are still active competitors, I think we have an obligation to set an example, both on and off the water, to hold a high standard for following the rules, taking penalties when we have an unexonerated breach, but also to hold others to that same high standard ... and have the fortitude to protest others and break the social stigma against doing so.
As Henry said so succinctly (not one of my talents obviously) .. "When we know that racing will be safe and fair, then we are free to have fun – to enjoy the competition and the beauty of our sport".
PS: regarding getting access to the app for a fee ... I know John Allen, AUS asked that question for the previous version and that option was not available at that time. I'll reach out to US Sailing and see what options might be available for those outside the US. - Ang