When it comes to water sports, many people first think of sailboats cutting through the waves on the sea. Sailing allows one to experience the breathtaking and ever-changing beauty of nature while merging with the vast ocean, making it a globally popular water sport in recent years.

So, how can we understand sailing races? Today, we will introduce the sport of sailing and explain the rules of sailing competitions.

What Are Rally Races and Course Races?Rally races refer to competitions with longer routes, typically one-way races from point A to point B, similar to marathon running or car rally races.

Course races are held in a relatively small area of water near the shore. Just like on land, a course requires a starting line and a finish line. However, since the sea lacks defined tracks, these lines are established using anchored boats and buoys. Additional buoys are placed in the water, and competitors must navigate around specific buoys according to the race rules. The placement and number of these buoys allow for diverse course designs. As long as you successfully start, round the buoys, and cross the finish line according to the rules, your race is complete.

The numbers 5–16 in the diagram below indicate the various course types for sailing races. The markers labeled 1, 1s, 2, 3, 4s, and 4p are buoys, and different routes require rounding different buoys.

How Do You Navigate to Your Destination on the Open Sea?When sailing long distances on the open sea without direct visibility of the destination, navigation relies on geographic coordinates, specifically latitude and longitude lines. For example, if the sailing instructions specify the finish line coordinates as N 22°27.50’, E 114°35.00’, the navigator on board must plan the shortest and fastest route to the finish line, avoiding restricted areas, using navigation instruments, and accounting for wind direction, wind strength, and currents.

What Are All These Buoys in the Sea For?Buoys serve as markers for race courses. In competitions, red, yellow, orange, or black inflatable buoys are commonly used to set up the course. Government-established navigation markers, geographic features, or islands may also serve as course markers.

How Many Referees Are There in a Race, and What Do They Do?The referee boat is usually stationary during a race. Key positions include the race officer, jury, referees, and buoy personnel. The race officer is responsible for determining the course, direction, and distance. The jury oversees the race, penalizing teams for rule violations, and handles protests during and after the race. Referees assist with raising and lowering flags, timing, scoring, and sounding horns. Buoy personnel are responsible for setting up the buoys in the competition area.

Are There Traffic Rules for Sailing?The most commonly used rules in races include:

Port Tack Gives Way to Starboard Tack: When two boats are on opposite tacks, the boat on port tack must give way to the boat on starboard tack.

Overtaking Boat Gives Way: When two boats are sailing in the same direction, the overtaking boat must give way to the boat ahead.

Windward Boat Gives Way: When two boats are sailing close together, with a distance less than one boat length between them, the windward boat must give way to the leeward boat.

Outside Boat Gives Way at Marks: When rounding a mark, an area within three boat lengths of the mark is called the"mark zone." Whether rounding upwind or downwind, the outside boat must give the inside boat enough space.

Sailing Race RulesNow that we’ve covered the basic traffic rules, let’s look at some important competition rules:

Touching a Mark

Penalties for Rule Violations

Protests

Touching a MarkIf a boat touches a buoy during a race, the crew must ensure the boat can continue without obstruction and immediately perform a 360-degree turn to avoid colliding with other boats before resuming the race.

Voluntary Penalties for Rule ViolationsCompetitors may sometimes break the rules, especially if they are beginners. In the past, rule violations (such as touching a buoy) required immediate withdrawal from the race. If a competitor believed they were not at fault, they could file a protest. Modern rules allow for voluntary penalties.

The most common penalty is a 720-degree turn. If two boats collide and one captain acknowledges fault, they can perform two full turns (in any direction) immediately after the collision to avoid being disqualified from the race.

ProtestsIt’s important to remember that if two boats collide, at least one of them has violated the rules. If you believe you are not at fault and the other party does not perform a 720-degree turn, you should first inform them that you will file a protest. (If your boat is over 6 meters long, you should also raise a red protest flag.) After the race, you will need to fill out a protest form. It’s advisable to consult experienced sailors to confirm that you followed the rules correctly.

How Do Boats Communicate During a Race?Competing boats are required to carry radio communication devices, such as walkie-talkies, for communication, responses, and emergency requests. Boats that fail to listen may miss important information, such as recalls, race delays, or course shortenings, which could result in self-inflicted losses.

With a basic understanding of these rules, you are ready to participate in your first race! Let’s set sail together!