Olympic Sailing Rules
Rules governing sailboat racing are detailed and complicated. There are over 90 rules which dictate conduct in specific situations. Failure to follow the rules result in a penalty situation. Boats are generally required to perform a specific maneuver (often a 360 degree turn) in order to resolve the penalty.
The rules used in Olympic sailing competition are the standard international rules as set out by the International Sailing Federation (ISF), the world governing body for the sport. The standard Racing Rules of Sailing govern the conduct of sailboat racing and windsurfing at the Olympic level.
To follow Olympic sailing action, it is not necessary to know all the rules. However, some basic principals are worth keeping in mind:
- Boats on a port tack shall give way to boats on starboard tack (Rule 10).
- When boats are on the same tack, the boat to windward shall keep clear of a leeward boat (Rule 11).
- Overtaking boats shall keep clear (Rule 12).
Olympic Sailing Format
The format for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition will be:
- An 11 race opening series. (There will be a 16 race series for the 49er).
- One race is a "throw away."
- Two races per day are scheduled for each event, except for the 49er class, for which three races per day are scheduled.
- The top 10 (15 in the 49er) placed boats advance to the Medal Race.(A Medal Race will be scheduled on the day designated for each class’s medal ceremony, even if the full schedule has not been completed by that day).
- On the water umpiring will be used in the Medal Race.
Olympic Scoring
Olympic Sailing Scoring System:
- There will be one discard for the series score but the Medal Race cannot not be discarded.
- Competitors will carry their series scores (total of race scores after discard) through to the Medal Race.
- Race scores for the Medal Race will be doubled (2 points for first, 4 points for second, and so on) and added to the series score.
- Any series tie after the Medal Race will be broken in favor of the boat finishing higher in the Medal Race.
- If the Medal Race is not completed, medals will be awarded based on the series score for all the prior races (in the normal way).
