Section 3: Playing Area
3.1 Course Types
The Race Committee sets the course based on wind direction and strength. Common course configurations include:
- Windward–Leeward: A simple upwind leg to a weather mark, downwind leg to a leeward gate or mark, repeated. The most common Olympic course format.
- Trapezoid: Adds reaching legs to the windward–leeward layout, creating a four-sided course shape.
- Triangle: A three-mark course with upwind, reaching, and downwind legs. Less common in modern Olympic racing.
3.2 Course Components
- Starting line: Set between a Race Committee signal boat (starboard end) and a pin-end mark (port end). The line is typically set 5–15% longer than the fleet width and biased slightly to favor neither end, though perfect neutrality is rare due to shifting wind.
- Marks: Large inflatable buoys (typically orange, yellow, or green) anchored to the sea floor. Marks must be left on the required side as specified by the sailing instructions.
- Gates: Two marks set apart as an alternative to a single mark, allowing boats to choose which mark to round. Common at the leeward end of windward–leeward courses.
- Finish line: Set between a Race Committee boat and a finish mark. Boats must cross the line sailing in the correct direction.
3.3 Racing Area
Olympic sailing venues use open water with sufficient depth and area for the fleet. Multiple course areas operate simultaneously for different classes. Typical upwind leg lengths range from 0.8–2.0 nautical miles depending on the class and conditions. Spectator boats, media boats, and team support boats are kept outside a defined exclusion zone around the racing area.