<%= rx_link('usa', 'Links to documents referred to in US Sailing prescriptions and notes can be found at rules.ussailing.org. However, links to documents referred to in Appendix R, Procedures for Appeals and Requests, can be found at appeals.ussailing.org.') %>
The Racing Rules of Sailing includes two main sections. The first, Parts 1–7, contains rules that affect all competitors. The second, the appendices, provides details of rules, rules that apply to particular kinds of racing, and rules that affect only a small number of competitors or officials.

Terminology
A term used in the sense stated in the Definitions is printed in italics or, in preambles, in bold italics (for example, <%= def_link(''Rule', 'racing') %> and racing).

Each of the terms in the table below is used in The Racing Rules of Sailing with the meaning given.
Term                            Meaning

Boat                             A sailboat and the crew on board, that are subject to the <%= def_link(''Rule', 'rules') %>. <%= cases_link(['CAN3']) %>
Competitor                  A person who races or intends to race in the event.
National authority       A World Sailing member national authority.
Race committee         The race committee appointed under rule <%= rule_link('89.2') %>(c) and any other person or committee performing a race committee function.
Racing rule                 A rule in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
Technical committee The technical committee appointed under rule <%= rule_link('89.2') %>(c) and any other person or committee performing a technical committee function.
Vessel                          Any boat or ship.

Other words and terms are used in the sense ordinarily understood in nautical or general use. For a source of the nautical sense of a word, a reader may refer to The Equipment Rules of Sailing.

Hails A language other than English may be used for a hail required by the <%= def_link(''Rule', 'rules') %> provided that it is reasonable for it to be understood by all boats affected. However, a hail in English is always acceptable.

Notation The notation ‘[DP]’ in a <%= def_link('Rule', 'rule') %> means that the penalty for a breach of the <%= def_link('Rule', 'rule') %> may, at the discretion of the protest committee, be less than disqualification. Guidelines for discretionary penalties are available on the World Sailing Website. [Section C: 'Jury Policies - Including information to Athletes and Discretionary Penalty Policy' - 2021]

Revision The racing rules are revised and published every four years by World Sailing, the international authority for the sport. This edition becomes effective on 1 January 2025 except that for an event beginning in 2024 the date may be postponed by the notice of race. Marginal markings indicate important changes to Parts 1–7 and the Definitions in the 2021–2024 edition. No changes are contemplated before 2029, but any changes determined to be urgent before then will be announced through national authorities and posted on the World Sailing website.

Appendices When the rules of an appendix apply, they take precedence over any conflicting rules in Parts 1–7 and the Definitions. Each appendix in this book is identified by a letter. Other appendices are available on the World Sailing website and are identified by two or three letters. A reference to a rule in an appendix will contain the letter or letters, and the rule number (for example, ‘rule <%= rule_link('A1’) %>' or `rule <%= rule_link('MR1') %'). The letters I, K, L, O and Q are not used to designate appendices in this book.

Development Rules Development Rules may be approved by World Sailing for specific events or categories of events. They are available on the World Sailing website and are identified by the letters DR.

Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions Guides and templates for writing a notice of race and sailing instructions are available, in various file formats, on the World Sailing website at www.sailing.org/racingrules. National authorities are encouraged to translate these guides and templates.

World Sailing Regulations The Regulations are referred to in the definition <%= def_link('Rule') %> and in rule <%= rule_link('6') %>, but they are not included in this book because they can be changed at any time. The most recent versions of the Regulations are published on the World Sailing website; new versions will be announced through national authorities.

Interpretations World Sailing publishes the following authoritative interpretations of the racing rules:

These publications are available on the World Sailing website. Other interpretations of the racing rules are not authoritative unless approved by World Sailing.

 <%= rx_link('usa', 'Prescriptions US Sailing prescriptions are printed in bold italics, except Appendices R, U and V. Those three appendices are US Sailing prescriptions.') %>
<%= rx_link('usa', ' Equal OpportunityAs the national authority for the sport of sailing, US Sailing is committed to providing an equal opportunity to all sailors to participate in the sport of sailing. ') %>
<%= rx_link('aus', " Australian Sailing Provisions   The special provisions of Australian Sailing are printed in italics.   The term “National Authority” wherever it appears in these rules means Australian Sailing.   The expression “Continental Championship” referred to in rule 76.3 does not refer to an Australian Championship.   The Racing Rules of Sailing become effective in Australia on January 1, 2017 and replace all previous editions of the Racing Rules of Sailing of World Sailing or Australian Sailing and shall apply when so stated in the sailing instructions to events commencing after that date. " ) %>