Rule 86: CHANGES TO THE RACING RULES

CHANGES TO THE RACING RULES

86.1:

A racing rule shall not be changed unless permitted in the rule itself or as follows:

(a) Prescriptions of a national authority may change a racing rule, but not the Definitions; a rule in the Introduction; Part 2 or 7; rule 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 42, 43, 47, 50, 63.3, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75, 76.2(b) or 79; a rule of an appendix that changes one of these rules; Appendix H or N; or a rule in a World Sailing Code listed in rule 6.1.
(b) The notice of race or sailing instructions may change a racing rule, but not rule 4, 76.1 or 76.2(a), Appendix R, or a rule listed in rule 86.1(a).
(c) Class rules may change only racing rules 42, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 78.2.

86.2:

In exception to rule 86.1, World Sailing may in limited circumstances authorize changes to the racing rules for a specific international event. The authorization shall be stated in a letter of approval to the organizing authority and in the notice of race, and the letter shall be posted on the official notice board.

86.3:

If a national authority so prescribes, the restrictions in rule 86.1 do not apply if rules are changed to develop or test proposed rules. The national authority may prescribe that its approval is required for such changes.

Definitions in Context

Racing

A boat is racing from her preparatory signal until she finishes and clears the finishing line and marks or retires, or until the race committee signals a general recall, postponement or abandonment.

Rule

(a) The rules in this book, including the Definitions, Race Signals, Introduction, preambles and the rules of relevant appendices, but not the Basic Principles or titles;
(b) World Sailing Regulations that have been designated by World Sailing as having the status of a rule and are published on the World Sailing website;
(c) the prescriptions of the national authority, unless they are changed by the notice of race or sailing instructions in compliance with the national authority’s prescription, if any, to rule 88.2;
(d) the class rules (for a boat racing under a handicap or rating system, the rules of that system are ‘class rules’);
(e) the notice of race;
(f) the sailing instructions; and
(g) any other documents that govern the event.