Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Starting Sequence
The standard starting sequence uses a 5-minute countdown with visual (flag) and sound (horn) signals:
- 5 minutes: Warning signal — class flag raised.
- 4 minutes: Preparatory signal — flag P, I, Z, or black flag raised (each with different starting penalty implications).
- 1 minute: Preparatory flag lowered.
- 0 minutes: Starting signal — class flag lowered. Racing begins.
All boats must be behind the starting line at the starting signal. The starting line extends between the mast of the signal boat and the pin-end mark.
5.2 Right-of-Way Rules (RRS Part 2)
The fundamental right-of-way rules determine which boat must keep clear in an encounter:
- Rule 10 — Opposite tacks: Port-tack boat keeps clear of starboard-tack boat.
- Rule 11 — Same tack, overlapped: Windward boat keeps clear of leeward boat.
- Rule 12 — Same tack, not overlapped: Boat clear astern keeps clear of boat clear ahead.
- Rule 13 — While tacking: A boat that is tacking must keep clear of boats on a tack until she is on a close-hauled course.
- Rule 15 — Acquiring right of way: A boat that acquires right of way must initially give the other boat room to keep clear.
5.3 Mark Rounding (Rule 18)
When boats are within the "zone" (3 hull lengths from a mark), special rules apply. A boat overlapped on the inside is entitled to mark-room — space to sail to the mark, round it, and sail the course to the next mark. An outside overlapped boat must give this room. If boats are not overlapped when the first boat reaches the zone, the boat clear ahead is not required to give room.
5.4 Olympic Regatta Format
A typical Olympic sailing regatta includes 10–12 fleet races (the "opening series") followed by a Medal Race. The opening series is sailed over several days with 1–3 races per day depending on conditions. After the opening series, each boat may discard its worst result(s). The Medal Race is a shorter course with double points, and only the top 10 boats from the opening series qualify. Final standings are the sum of opening series points (minus discards) plus Medal Race points.
5.5 Protests
A boat that believes another boat has broken a rule may protest by flying a red protest flag (yellow flag in dinghies under 6 m) and filing a written protest within the protest time limit (typically 2 hours after the last boat finishes). The Protest Committee or International Jury hears testimony from all involved boats and witnesses, then decides whether a rule was broken and applies the appropriate penalty.