BLYC

RRS – Part III; Post #3 – Rule 30.2

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Often, we focus our rules discussions only on Part 2 of the rules – “When Boats Meet.”  This winter, I plan to explore the rules of Part 3 – “Conduct of a Race.”  They may appear to only matter to the Race Committee, but they have significant importance to the racing sailor too.  

– Steve Harris, US Sailing National Race Officer

Rule 30 - Starting Penalties

Click Here for my intro discussion on starting penalties in the first post on Rule 30.

30.2 - Z Flag Rule

“If flag Z has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall receive, without a hearing, a 20% Scoring Penalty calculated as stated in rule 44.3(c). She shall be penalized even if the race is restarted or re-sailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If she is similarly identified during a subsequent attempt to start the same race, she shall receive an additional 20% Scoring Penalty. “

Code Flag "Zulu"
“It’s such a pretty flag.  We really ought to use it more often.”

– Overheard on a Race Committee Boat several years back.

Remember: Just as with the previous rules we’ve discussed, this rule changed slightly in 2021.  It used to refer to any part of the boat’s hull, crew, or equipment.  In order to clarify both the start and the finish, these definitions were changed to just the hull as it is easier to define and less potentially subjective.

Just as with Rule 30.1, Rule 30.2 applies to the last minute of the starting sequence.  It’s primary function is also to help the RC to control aggressive starts.  

Also, like we saw in Rule 30.1, to invoke this rule, the RC will display Flag Z instead of Flag P in the standard starting sequence (RRS 26)

So... What's Different?

Let's Break it Down...

“…no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal…”

Where Rule 30.1 referred to the line, and it’s extensions, this rule defines a new “No-Go” area – “The Triangle”

RRS30.2

This is different and certainly requires more attentiveness (and personnel) on the part of the race committee.  Now, instead of only being concerned with the starting line (or the line and it’s extensions), the “No-Go” area encompasses a large area of the course.  Ideally, the RC has people on the RC signal boat looking both at the pin end of the line and upcourse at the windward mark, others on the pin end of the line watching the RC end of the line and upcourse at the the windward mark, and still more at the windward mark sighting down to both ends of the starting line.  It can get quite cumbersome.  For these reasons, typically – certainly for club-level racing – the RC would go to Rule 30.1 first and if that doesn’t work, maybe escalate to Rule 30.2 (or a combination of the two).

But… remember it is the competitors’ responsibility to start properly!   This “No-Go” area is even more difficult (if not impossible) to properly sight on a moving boat – especially during the hectic last minute of the starting sequence.  

“…If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall receive, without a hearing, a 20% Scoring Penalty calculated as stated in rule 44.3(c)… “

Another major difference is that if you are guilty of breaking this rule, you cannot avoid the penalty. (although you are still required to start properly even if you violated the rule).  “Shall” is prescriptive.  Even if the RC wanted to “let it go,” the rules require them to apply the penalty.  (See WS Case #111)

“… as stated in rule 44.3(c)… “

Calculating the penalty can get tricky.  The important thing to know about it as a racer is to know where to look to see how it was calculated – mistakes sometimes happen.

44.3 Scoring Penalty
(C) “…the penalty shall be 20% of the score for Did Not Finish rounded to the nearest whole number (0.5 rounded upward)… However, the penalty shall not cause the boat’s score to be worse than the score for Did Not Finish.”

“… She shall be penalized even if the race is restarted or re-sailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal… “

Again, the rules remind us that a boat breaking this rule shall be penalized.  It also tells us that the penalty “sticks” – “…even if the race is restarted or resailed…”

In other words, a boat breaks this rule and…

  • There is a general recall and the race is restarted.  She still retains the 20% penalty “earned” in the first start attempt on her score for that race.
  • The race is abandoned – for any reason – and the race is resailed. She still retains the 20% penalty “earned.”

“… If she is similarly identified during a subsequent attempt to start the same race, she shall receive an additional 20% Scoring Penalty. “

WOW!  The rules are serious about this penalty!

Imagine the following situation…

During the starting sequence, Boat A is identified as being “in the triangle” in the last minute of the sequence.  Following the start, the RC cannot identify all boats that were OCS and signals a general recall.  Boat A carries a 20% penalty into the “restart”

The race is restarted and, once again, Boat A is identified as being “in the triangle” in the last minute of the sequence, earning another 20% penalty Following the start, the RC cannot identify all boats that were OCS and signals a general recall.  Boat A carries a 40% penalty into the “restart”

And then things get strange...

Very often, race committees will use both 30.1 and 30.2 together!

But, WHY? As mentioned previously, race committees will often start with the I-Flag rule (30.1) when going to a penalty start.  If they determine that 30.1 alone isn’t working, they’ll “add” the additional restrictions of 30.2.

What's my responsibility as a competitor?

Simply put, you have to comply with both rules.  More specifically, under Z-flag alone, you could still “dip” the line if you were in “the triangle” in that last minute.  Certainly, if you were in the triangle with 60, or maybe even 45 seconds to go, this may be a safe, even preferred option – you’d still have that 20% penalty, but you could do it. 

But… for the race committee – trying to properly manage the start and also be concerned about safety – keeping the I-Flag rule in place is typically preferred.  They don’t want to  set up a  situation that is sure to result in additional rules breaches and may also be unsafe (fair racing is a primary concern of the race committee, but safety is also their responsibility and should always take precedence!)

So, what about the Individual Recall?

Remember, Rule 29.1 only applies when “… at a boat’s starting signal any part of her hull is on the course side of the starting line or she must comply with rule 30.1…”  Therefore, it is entirely possible that a boat could have been in the triangle in the final minute before the start, but not on the course side of the starting line (or one of its extensions if I & Z are both used) at the start.  She will get the 20% penalty, even if she otherwise starts properly.  Again, like with the I-Flag Rule, the Z-Flag helps to prevent “dip starting” as you can’t be in the triangle in the final minute to do that without incurring a scoring penalty.  It also prevents a number of other start line tactics that may be effective under P, but are definitely not worth the 20% penalty under Z.

Why is the rule so Harsh?

Well, actually when we look at Rules 30.3 and especially at 30.4, it really isn’t.  Remember what I said in the post on Rule 29 – Recalls… Sailing is somewhat unique in that if you fail to start properly, you get to correct it and try again.  In football, it’s a 5-yard penalty; in soccer, the other team gets a penalty kick – a “free” chance to score; at the highest levels in track, it’s an automatic disqualification.

The point of starting penalties in sailing is to encourage sailors to “do the right thing” and start properly.  Remember, in most cases, we are a self-policing sport (no “referees”) and good sportsmanship should always govern our actions on the water.  Starting properly isn’t an exception to that ideal. 

But, Hey!  At least you aren’t disqualified, right?

You guessed it… Rules 30.3 & 30.4… Next Week

RRS – Part III; Post #2 – Rule 30.1

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Very often, when it comes to the Racing Rules of Sailing, we tend to focus most of our energy on the rules of Part 2 – “When Boats Meet.”  After all, most of the on-water interactions that we have are with other boats.  However, I will always contend that there’s really only one rule in Part 2 that you absolutely have to know – Rule 14 – “Avoiding Contact.”  If you aren’t sure you’re right… don’t put yourself in a potentially bad situation.  Even if you do know that you’re right… don’t put yourself in a bad situation.

The rules of Part 3 – “Conduct of a Race” are actually a lot more interesting.  These are rules that, if you don’t understand them, you can very likely be disqualified from a race.  They are pretty straightforward, but as with all of the rules in the RRS, they have their idiosyncrasies.

Over the next couple of months, I plan to explore these rules, one by one.  They appear to only matter to the Race Committee, but the RC doesn’t get disqualified for not complying with them, boats do.

– Steve Harris, US Sailing National Race Officer

Rule 30 - Starting Penalties

Rule 30 now has 4 parts – 30-.1, 30.2, 30.3, and 30.4.  The RRS calls them penalties.  Although if you don’t follow them, there is a penalty, I think of them more as restrictions.  As I mentioned in my last SLOG about recalls, I said that sailboat racing was unique compared to other sports in that if you don’t start correctly, you’re simply disqualified.  Sailing, however, if you start early, you can correct… usually.  That’s where these starting penalties come into play.

So, why do we have these “penalties?”  Simply put, sometimes people don’t start properly.  Particularly in a “high stakes” race, with a competitive fleet, people like to “push” the line.  While it each boat’s responsibility to start properly, it is also the race committee’s responsibility to enforce that.  With an aggressive fleet, this RC task is not always easy.  The point of Rule #30 is to give the race committee tools that they can use to help control the line.  

To start, we’ll discuss the most common one – Rule 30.1.  Sometimes called the “Round the Ends Rule.”

30.1 - I Flag Rule

“If flag I has been displayed, and any part of a boat’s hull is on the course side of the starting line or one of its extensions during the last minute before her starting signal, she shall sail across an extension so that her hull is completely on the pre-start side before she starts.”

Code Flag "India"

Remember: Just as with RRS 29, this rule changed slightly in 2021.  It used to refer to any part of the boat’s hull, crew, or equipment.  In order to clarify both the start and the finish, these definitions were changed to just the hull as it is easier to define and less potentially subjective.

If one looks at the definition of start and/or RRS 29, it talks about the start line – the definition of which we discussed in my last post.  30.1 adds the additional restriction of or one of its extensions.  Extensions are just as they sound… the extension of the start line from both ends, ad infinitum.

In other words, if you are anywhere above the start line, you must comply with this rule

“…she shall sail across an extension so that her hull is completely on the pre-start side before she starts.”

Typically, if you are on the course side (OCS) at the starting signal, you can “dip start” to correct yourself as shown in the video below.  The only requirement is that your hull is “completely on the pre-start side” prior to starting.

However, 30.1 adds a restriction that prevents you from doing this.  As show in the video below, you must “… sail across an extension..” until you are you completely on the pre-start side before starting. 

This is often called the “round the ends rule” as, essentially you will sail around one of the ends of the line – either the signal boat or the pin.  Once completely on the pre-start side, you can start through the line as normal.

The effect is simple – it discourages boats from starting aggressively in the middle of the starting line.  As the RC’s line sighters are typically at one or both ends, it makes it much easier to watch and keep track of boats that are OCS.  Generally, it works pretty well.  The penalty is graduated – it is much more severe for boats that are OCS near the middle of the line than it is for those nearer the ends.  

How is it signaled?  In the standard starting sequence, Code Flag P is used as the preparatory signal.  (If you need to review the starting sequence, review this post from last winter).  When RRS 30.1 is invoked, Code Flag P is replaced with Code Flag I.  It will go up at 4 minutes (preparatory signal) and down at 1 minute.

“…any part of a boat’s hull is on the course side of the starting line or one of its extensions during the last minute before her starting signal…”

During the last minute… up until the last minute, you can still sail above the line without penalty.  RRS 30.1 “turns on” in that final minute.  

Ever wonder why there is a “one-minute” signal in the starting sequence?  This is it.

If you notice, the “one-minute” signal is also different than the others in that it’s a long sound.  Why?… to draw your attention to it.  All of the variations of RRS 30 go into effect “during the last minute“  (There are also other rules that go into effect at this same time… we’ll save that for a later SLOG)

So… if you’re on the course side within that last minute, make sure that you cross an extension to return to the pre-start side.

Next week… Starting Penalties continued – Rule 30.2. Z-Flag Rule

RRS – Part III; Post #1 – Rule 29

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Very often, when it comes to the Racing Rules of Sailing, we tend to focus most of our energy on the rules of Part 2 – “When Boats Meet.”  After all, most of the on-water interactions that we have are with other boats.  However, I will always contend that there’s really only one rule in Part 2 that you absolutely have to know – Rule 14 – “Avoiding Contact.”  If you aren’t sure you’re right… don’t put yourself in a potentially bad situation.  Even if you do know that you’re right… don’t put yourself in a bad situation.

The rules of Part 3 – “Conduct of a Race” are actually a lot more interesting.  These are rules that, if you don’t understand them, you can very likely be disqualified from a race.  They are pretty straightforward, but as with all of the rules in the RRS, they have their idiosyncrasies.

Over the next couple of months, I plan to explore these rules, one by one.  They appear to only matter to the Race Committee, but the RC doesn’t get disqualified for not complying with them, boats do.

– Steve Harris, US Sailing National Race Officer

Rule 29 - RECALLS

Rule 29 has two parts – RRS 29.1; Individual Recalls, and RRS 29.2; General Recalls.  Something I’ve always found curious about sailboat racing is the fact that if you start early, you get to start over.  Try that in track & field, football, or just about any other sport.  The penalties for doing so are much harsher.

 

29.1 - Individual Recall

“When at a boat’s starting signal any part of her hull is on the course side of the starting line or she must comply with rule 30.1, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound.  The flag shall be displayed until the hull of each such boat has been completely on the pre-start side of the of the starting line or one of its extensions and until all such boats have complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, but no later than four minutes after the starting signal or one minute before any later starting signal, whichever is earlier. If rule 29.2, 30.3 or 30.4 applies this rule does not.”

We’ll break this down into smaller chunks….

“When at a boat’s starting signal any part of her hull is on the course side of the starting line…“

Note: This rule changed slightly in 2021.  It used to refer to any part of the boat’s hull, crew, or equipment.  In order to clarify both the start and the finish, these definitions were changed to just the hull as it is easier to define and less potentially subjective.

What does it mean to be “on the course side?”

Untitled-1

“On the course side” (OCS) isn’t in the definitions in the RRS. Intuitively, it makes sense that its “over” the line. That said, it is (or should be) clearly defined in the Sailing Instructions.  Generally, it is defined something like this…. “The starting line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag on the race committee signal boat and the course side of the port end starting mark.”  The above diagram clearly shows this.  Too often, however, course diagrams aren’t as clear.  

From who’s perspective is being “on the course side” determined?

This is sometimes a matter of great debate.  The line is judged by a line sighter on the race committee signal boat.  Ideally, that person has a relatively fixed position relative to the line.  Given that their end of the line is a fairly small “line” (the staff displaying the flag), they have the best perspective to judge a really tight start.  Sadly, the perspective from the water on a racing boat is not necessarily a good one.  The boat is, be definition at an angle on the line (starting on either port or starboard tack, not directly into the wind), the boat is likely moving around a lot more than the RC signal boat (underway at speed for a good start, bouncing in choppy waters created by all the other boats on the line, etc.)  In other words, from the perspective of the boat that is starting, one simply cannot judge the line as clearly as can be done from the RC signal boat.  (See WS Case #136)

There are, of course, many other starting line configurations than the one shown above.  This one is likely the most common and certainly the simplest.  

“… or she must comply with Rule 30.1…”

What the Heck?  Rule 30.1 is the “I-flag” rule, sometimes referred to as “around the ends.”  Essentially, it is one of several starting “penalties” that the race committee may use to help control an aggressive start line.

There are 2 additional restrictions that RRS 30.1 puts on the start:
      The first deals with space – “…the course side of the starting line or one of its extensions…“
      The second deals with time – “…during the last minute before her starting signal…“

These will be discussed in more detail in a subsequent post.

” …the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound. “

This is a required signal!  Rule 29.1 is very specific that the race committee shall display flag X with one sound.  It is the responsibility of the racing sailors to start properly.  But it is also the responsibility of the race committee to signal properly.  If there isn’t a flag, or the sound is missing or absent, the race committee hasn’t properly signalled a recall.  

However, if they do, it is the responsibility of all premature starters to return to the pre-start side of the line and start properly.  Typically, the race committee will hail the sail numbers of premature starters.  However, they are not obligated to do so.  It is also very common for the sailing instructions to include a caveat absolving the race committee of any responsibility for this.  Something along the lines of the following is common…

“The Race Committee may attempt to hail premature starters. However, the following shall not be grounds for redress: failure to hail; the timeliness of the hail; failure to hear the hail; and, the order of the boats hailed.”

In other words, it is solely the boat’s responsibility to start (or restart) properly.

” If rule 29.2, 30.3 or 30.4 applies this rule does not.”

RRS 29.2 is the “General Recall Rule” which will be discussed next.  Obviously, you can’t have both types of recalls at the same time.  RRS 30.3 and 30.4 are other restrictions that the RC can put on the start.  In both cases, the penalty is disqualification.  If you’re already disqualified, you obviously cannot restart.

29.2 - General Recall

“When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side of the starting line or to which rule 30 applies, or there has been an error in the starting procedure, the race committee may signal a general recall (display the First Substitute with two sounds). The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound), and the starts for any succeeding classes shall follow the new start.”

This is a bit more straightforward, however, it is also one of the most misunderstood rules by racing sailors.  Rule 29.2 is permissive, not required.  The key word in this rule is “may.”  The race committee is under no obligation to signal a general recall (as they are with RRS 29.1)  In fact, the recommended guidance taught in US Sailing’s Race Management Seminars is to avoid general recalls.  Sailors come to race, not to practice starts all afternoon.  Let’s break this one down…

“When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side of the starting line or to which rule 30 applies…”

The option to signal a general recall, calling the whole fleet back to restart, is predicated only on the race committee being unable to identify all boats that are on the course side.  Nothing more.  There are many myths and misunderstandings on this…

MYTH #1 – If more than 1/2 of the fleet is over early, the RC should signal a general recall.

FALSE – If the race committee can identify who is over, an individual recall is proper, regardless of the number of boats over early.

MYTH #2 – If the RC can’t identify all boats that are over early, they must signal a general recall.

FALSE – Sometimes a boat or two “slip through the cracks” and aren’t identified.  While not inherently fair to let that boat (or boats) start when they were OCS, its equally unfair to the boats that started properly to call everyone back.  The RC must weigh the disadvantages of each type of unfairness and use their best judgment.

MYTH #3 – If the RC signals a general recall, it’s because the racers “messed up.”

FALSE – Not necessarily.  The rule says “… or if there is an error in the starting procedure...” It isn’t necessarily the sailors’ “fault.”  Many of the rules in Part 3 are written in a way to allow the race committee to correct mistakes.  Rule 29.2 is one of them.  Typically, the first thing the RC should look at after a general recall is the starting line.  Often, a wind shift has made it less square, piling boats up at one end, or it may not be long enough for the size and number of boats trying to start.  It isn’t necessarily the racers’ fault.  But it does allow the RC to make changes to provide for better, fairer, more competitive racing.

“(Display the First Substitute with two sounds)”

An important note here…. Unlike RRS 29.1, there is no requirement to promptly make the signal for a general recall.  In fact, often the RC will signal an individual recall first, then “upgrade” to a general recall once they determine that they couldn’t identify all OCS boats.  The important thing to remember is that two horns and the First Substitute flag tells you to stop racing and return to the start area.

“The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound)”

The final part of this rule deals with one other myth surrounding general recalls…

MYTH #4 – After a General Recall, the recalled class moves “to the back of the line” in start order.

FALSE – Not only does the rule explicitly state otherwise, there’s a very good reason for this.  The starting order is usually predetermined based on the classes sailing, their relative speeds, etc.  A good race officer takes a number of factors into determining the start order.  “Punishing” a recalled class by moving them to the end messes up that order.  In fact, sometimes, due to course management considerations, the race committee may even allow for a “wait period” before restarting to avoid boats in different classes interfering with each other on the course.

So, that might be a lot more detail than you were expecting from the rule, but as with most things in the RRS… “The devil is in the details.”

Next week… Starting Penalities – Rule 30.1. I-Flag Rule

2021 Snowball Regatta

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WOW! What a great day of racing on Buckeye Lake

The morning of the 2021 Snowball Regatta – the 81st Annual – started out with rain, light wind and some real trepidation among both sailors and race committee alike on what conditions the day would bring.  As seems typical for central Ohio this year, the forecast wasn’t lining up with reality.  Over 15 boats entered, the race committee got on the water and got things set up as the winds began to build and settle in.  4 GREAT races in building winds and sea state throughout the afternoon.  A good time was had by all.

Thank you to all of the regatta volunteers!

Registration
Governor Rickie Sue Grunden
Nancy Snow
Governor Stephanie Dolan

Race Committee Signal Boat
P/C Steve Harris, PRO
P/C Dave Lawrence
George O’Donnell
Robert Badgeley

Mark/Safety Boats
Chuck Gleich
Tom Campbell
Governor Vic Schroeder
Tami Schroder

RESULTS

CLICK HERE
for one-design results

CLICK HERE
for PHRF results

No Racing this Sunday

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REMINDER

There will be no Sail on Sunday racing this weekend due to the Annual BLYC Elections.

Please come out to BLYC on Sunday between 9:00 and 1:00 for the Candidates’ Porch Picnic and to cast your vote for the 2021 Board of Governors.  Stay for the Annual Meeting at 2:00 at which, we will award the George Fisher Sportsmanship Trophy in addition to other Club recognitions for 2021.

Labor Day Long Distance Race

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Commodore Dwight R. Haggard
Long Distance Race
Labor Day – September 6, 2021

Winds: W 8-12 with 15+ Gusts
Temperature: 81 degrees F.
Course: S-1-2-F (Long Distance – Windward/Leeward)

The Race: At the skippers meeting, our (VRO) Volunteer Race Officer announced a change to NOR’s that all boats are required to go through the Start/Finish on the downward leg, this is to be able to shorten the course if necessary. With today’s winds we knew this would not be a problem. Pink tetrahedrons course markers were set at Sellers Point and at no wake boundary by the Cranberry bog. With 10 boats entered, RC gave us a great start/finish line and the race was started right on time.

Post-Race Commentary:  All of the teams were celebrating on the YC porch. The word is spreading about our Sail-On-Sunday and Long-Distance races and we feel great that more new skippers & crew have joined in on the sailing and racing FUN this year.

Congratulations: Go to Barb Hein on her Laser with winning the Commodore Dwight R. Haggard Labor Day Long Distance Race and Trophy.

Summer Series Winners

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CONGRATULATIONS

SUMMER SERIES WINNERS

First Place
Team Alberg
Bill Reynolds

Second Place
Team Runaway
David Paligo

Third Place
Team Endless Summer
Tom Reynolds