New Rules In Yachting

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 15

New Rules In Yachting

One of the main reasons for protests and disputes in yacht races, the rules of right-of-way, will undergo a change as a result of the new decisions of the International Yacht Racing Union, which met recently in London. The new rules adopted by the union will come into force in national and international racing throughout the world on January 1. The right-of-way rules of the union were previously different from those enforced in the United States and Scandinavia, but the changes tend to make the rules of yachting uniform throughout the world. The changes to the rules as reported in “The Times” are:— A yacht on the starboard tack will now have at all times right-of-way over a yacht on the port tack, whether close-hauled or not. A yacht sailing close-hauled on the port tack has right-of-way over another yacht which is sailing free, irrespective of tack, under the existing rules.

Giving Wa

An addition has heen made to the existing rule that where two craft are on the same tack it is the duty of the windward yacht to keep clear of the leeward yacht and of the overtaking craft to remain clear of the yacht being overtaken. The new rule stipulates also that when the overtaking boat establishes an overlap to leeward it shall give the windward yacht ample room to keep clear. A leeward yacht with its mast forward of the helmsman in the windward yacht can luff as far as head to wind to prevent the other passing, but when the right to luff ceases the leeward craft must not keep the course being steered, but resume its proper course for the next mark. With the introduction of another new rule, races may be abandoned if weather, tides, or wind are unfavourable. The sailing committee will have the power to postpone the starting time, cancel or abandon a race, “in the event of unfavourable conditions of wind, weather, tide, or for any other valid reaso i.” This will prevent inexperienced skippers sailing in dangerous conditions, but also stop seasoned skippers who have crews and craft they believe can cope with the conditions from sailing in such conditions.