Rules Explained: Rules of Conduct – Race Course and Requirements

by Antonio Bari

Two sub sections of this basic rule of the RoC have always been a reason of debate, protests or request for redress: 5.5 and 5.6.

This rule, effective since long time, forced the Race Committee or the Protest Committee (after a request of redress) to abandon a race if a sustained variation of the wind direction from the posted bearing either during the first leg or the first lap (respectively 20 and 40 degrees) occurred.

After a highly disputed redress during the 2023 Europeans, a strong request to amend that rule was put forward and finally a proposal was submitted and was approved by the Board.

Only a few words have changed: first, the term “sustained” has been changed to “permanent” (someone suggested “persistent”, but the meaning is basically the same); second, to abandon the race is no more mandatory, but if the established conditions occur, the Race Committee can apply RRS 32.1.

The complete discussion about this topic can be found (in the comments) at

Rule Change Proposal: 24-13 Rules of Conduct – Sections 5 & 18

Let’s analyze why those changes were requested and approved.

The word “sustained” may give room to different interpretations and also gives power to the competitors to request redress, although they don’t have precise instruments to support the request.

Basically, what does “sustained” mean? How long is a variation “sustained”? Is “sustained” referred to the whole race course or only to a part of the course?

“Permanent” is probably a more precise or, at least, less random term.

To abandon a race, sometimes for a short variation span of the wind direction, can be a difficult decision which can penalize part of the fleet.

The possibility to apply RRS 32.1 gives the RC the possibility to evaluate the whole situation of the race course and if the wind variation advantages part of the fleet or not.

According to RRS 32.1, the RC has the following options:

After the starting signal, the race committee may shorten the course or abandon the race:

(a) because of foul weather,

(b) because of insufficient wind making it unlikely that any boat will sail the course within the race time limit,

(c) because a mark is missing or out of position, or

(d) for any other reason directly affecting the safety or fairness of the competition.

According to the current RoC, the RC has one more specific option when applying letter (d):

for a permanent wind variation according to RoC 5.5 and 5.6.

With this addition the Race Committee maintains the possibility to abandon the race, but this decision is no more mandatory, giving more flexibility according to the real situation on the race course. The true change in this rule is that the decision stays with the Race Committee and not with the competitors or the Protest Committee.

Anyhow, if a crew believes that a decision (taken or not) of the Race Committee has penalized his/her score, he/she can request redress under RSS 61.4 (b)(1).

Antonio Bari