Race Officer's Guide to Australian Sailing Race Management Open age 2026/27

Australian Sailing prescribes (in its prescription to rule 26) that when handicap starts apply, a boat's preparatory signal is deemed made four minutes before the boat's starting time.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 with Australian Sailing prescriptions, rule 26, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under rule 27:

• Course: no later than the warning signal, the race committee must signal or otherwise designate the course to be sailed if the sailing instructions have not stated it. It may replace one course signal with another.
• Personal flotation devices: no later than the warning signal, it may signal that wearing personal flotation devices is required (display flag Y with one sound).
• Starting mark: no later than the preparatory signal, it may move a starting mark.
• Postpone or abandon: before the starting signal, it may do so for any reason (rule 27.3).

Separately, rule 37 says that when the race committee displays flag V with one sound, all boats and official and support vessels must, if possible, monitor the race committee communication channel for search and rescue instructions.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rules 27 and 37, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under rule 27.3, before the starting signal the race committee may for any reason:

• postpone the race by displaying flag AP, AP over H, or AP over A, with two sounds; or
• abandon the race by displaying flag N, N over H, or N over A, with three sounds.

What the signals mean (race signals page):

• AP: races not started are postponed. The warning signal is made 1 minute after removal unless at that time the race is postponed again or abandoned.
• AP over H: races not started are postponed, with further signals ashore.
• AP over A: races not started are postponed and there is no more racing today.
• AP over a numeral pennant 1-9: postponement of 1-9 hours from the scheduled starting time.
• N: all races in progress are abandoned; return to the starting area. The warning signal is made 1 minute after removal unless at that time the race is abandoned again or postponed.
• N over H: all races in progress are abandoned, further signals ashore.
• N over A: all races in progress are abandoned, no more racing today.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rule 27.3 and race signals page, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under rule 29.1, 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 I flag rule), the race committee must promptly display flag X with one sound.

The flag must be displayed until the hull of each such boat has been completely on the pre-start side of the starting line or one of its extensions, and until all such boats have complied with rule 30.1 if it applies. It must come down no later than four minutes after the starting signal or one minute before any later starting signal, whichever is earlier.

Rule 29.1 does not apply if rule 29.2 (general recall), 30.3 (U flag) or 30.4 (black flag) applies.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rule 29.1, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under rule 29.2 the race committee may signal a general recall (display the First Substitute with two sounds) when, at the starting signal, either:

• it 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 warning signal for a new start for the recalled class is made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound), and the starts for any succeeding classes follow the new start.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rule 29.2 and race signals page, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

These are the rule 30 starting penalties. Each is signalled as the preparatory flag at the 4 minute signal (the P, I, Z, Z with I, U or black flag).

• I flag (rule 30.1): if 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 must sail across an extension so that her hull is completely on the pre-start side before she starts.
• Z flag (rule 30.2): no part of a boat's hull may be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute. An identified boat receives, without a hearing, a 20% Scoring Penalty. She is penalised even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If identified again in a later attempt to start the same race, she receives an additional 20%.
• U flag (rule 30.3): same triangle restriction. An identified boat is disqualified without a hearing, but not if the race is restarted or resailed.
• Black flag (rule 30.4): same triangle restriction. An identified boat is disqualified without a hearing, even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If there is a general recall or the race is abandoned after the starting signal, the race committee must display her sail number before the next warning signal, and she must not sail in the restart or resail.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rules 26 and 30, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

When (rule 32.1). After the starting signal the race committee may shorten the course or abandon the race:

• because of foul weather;
• because of insufficient wind making it unlikely that any boat will sail the course within the race time limit;
• because a mark is missing or out of position; or
• for any other reason directly affecting the safety or fairness of the competition.
  It may also shorten the course so that other scheduled races can be sailed, or abandon the race because of an error in the starting procedure. However, after one boat has sailed the course within the time limit, if any, it must not abandon without considering the consequences for all boats in the race or series.

How to shorten (rule 32.2). Display flag S with two sounds before the first boat crosses the finishing line. The finishing line is then (a) at a rounding mark, between the mark and a staff displaying flag S; (b) a line the course requires boats to cross; or (c) at a gate, between the gate marks.

How to abandon (rule 32.3). Display flag N, N over H, or N over A, with three sounds.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rule 32, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Changing the next leg (rule 33). While boats are racing, the race committee may change a leg that begins at a rounding mark or gate by moving the next mark (or the finishing line) and signalling all boats before they begin the leg. The next mark need not be in position at that time. The signal is flag C with repetitive sounds, plus:

• for a change of direction: the new compass bearing, and/or a green triangle (change to starboard) or a red rectangle (change to port);
• for a change of length: a "-" to decrease or a "+" to increase the leg.
  Subsequent legs may be changed without further signalling to maintain the course shape.

Missing mark (rule 34). If a mark is missing or out of position while boats are racing, the race committee must, if possible, either move it to its correct position or replace it with a new one of similar appearance, or replace it with an object displaying flag M and make repetitive sounds.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rules 33 and 34 and the race signals page, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under rule 35, if one boat sails the course within the time limit for that race (if any), all boats that finish are scored according to their finishing places, unless the race is abandoned. If no boat sails the course within the race time limit, the race committee must abandon the race.

Rule 90.3(a) adds that a race is scored if it is not abandoned and one boat sails the course within the race time limit, even if she retires after finishing or is disqualified.

Also, after one boat has sailed the course within the time limit, if any, the race committee must not abandon the race without considering the consequences for all boats in the race or series (rule 32.1).

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rules 32.1, 35 and 90.3(a), https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under rule 36, a breach of a rule in the original race, or in any previous restart or resail of that race, does not stop a boat competing unless she broke rule 30.4 (black flag). A boat can be penalised only under:

• rule 2 (fair sailing);
• rule 30.2 (Z flag);
• rule 30.4 (black flag);
• rule 69 (misconduct); or
• rule 14 when she has caused injury or serious damage.

Related flag rules: a U flag disqualification does not stand if the race is restarted or resailed (rule 30.3). A Z flag penalty applies even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal (rule 30.2). A black flag disqualification applies even if the race is restarted or resailed (rule 30.4).

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rules 30 and 36, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under rule 90.2 the race committee must publish written sailing instructions that conform to rule J2 (Appendix J).

• Changes must be in writing and posted on the official notice board before the time stated in the sailing instructions, or, on the water, communicated to each boat before her warning signal.
• Oral changes may be given only on the water, and only if the procedure is stated in the sailing instructions.
• For an event where entries from other countries are expected, the sailing instructions should, when appropriate, include the applicable national prescriptions in English.

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 with Australian Sailing prescriptions, rule 90.2, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under rule 90.3 the race committee scores a race or series using Appendix A unless the notice of race or sailing instructions specify another system.

• When the race committee finds from its own records or observations that it has scored a boat incorrectly, it must correct the error and make the corrected scores available to competitors (rule 90.3(c)).
• It must also implement any scoring changes directed by the protest committee or national authority as a result of decisions made under the rules (rule 90.3(d)).
• A Disqualification Not Excludable (DNE) must stay in a boat's series score even where the scoring system excludes worst races (rule 90.3(b)).
• If the notice of race says so, no score changes can result from action initiated more than 24 hours after the latest of: the protest time limit for the last race, being informed of a protest committee decision after the last race, or publication of the event results. Even then, changes must still be made for decisions under rules 6, 69 or 71. The notice of race may change "24 hours" to a different time (rule 90.3(e)).

Source: Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 with Australian Sailing prescriptions, rule 90.3, https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/ofeyzh6cn3tumfga.pdf

Under Australian Sailing's National Officiating Program, the pathway is:

1. Enquire about volunteering as an official at your Australian Sailing affiliated club.
2. Complete an e-learning course or attend a face-to-face course (in-person courses are listed at https://www.sailing.org.au/courses?category=5/ and e-learning at https://www.sailingresources.org.au/training/elearning-courses).
3. Build skills with hands-on experience at your club.
4. Complete the online application form for the accreditation you want. Australian Sailing responds within 10 working days.

Other points from the Accreditation Policy:

• An accreditation lasts four years, and re-accreditation extends it by four years.
• Accredited officials must be a member of a club affiliated with Australian Sailing and comply with the Code of Conduct for Officials and the National Integrity Framework.
• A practical assessment must be conducted by a National or International official in the same discipline (for example, a National Race Officer can assess a prospective National Race Officer). Regional level assessments can use mock events; National level assessments must be at live events.
• Recognition of Prior Learning is available by emailing officials@sailing.org.au with an explanation and supporting evidence.
• A refused application can be appealed in writing to officials@sailing.org.au within 30 days of being notified.

Accreditation is not needed for most club racing in general, but it is required in some cases, for example when a National or International Jury is appointed (the jury members and Race Officer(s) must be accredited).

Sources: https://www.sailingresources.org.au/officiating/become-an-official, https://www.sailingresources.org.au/officiating and the Accreditation Policy at https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/wisrte3laiy6fqep.pdf