Rule F4: CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 4

Section F — Kiteboarding Racing Rules

Kiteboarding course races shall be sailed under The Racing Rules of Sailing as changed by this appendix. The term ‘boat’ elsewhere in the rules means ‘kiteboard’ or ‘boat’ as appropriate.

Note: Links to kiteboard rules for some other formats or competitions can be found on the World Sailing website.

CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 4

41: OUTSIDE HELP

Add new rules 41(e) and 41(f):

(e) help from another competitor in the same race to assist a relaunch;
(f) help to change equipment, but only in the launching area.

42: PROPULSION

Rule 42 is changed to:

42.1 Basic Rule
Except when permitted in rule 42.2, a kiteboard shall compete by using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed.

42.2 Exceptions

(a) A kiteboard may be propelled by unassisted actions of the competitor on the kiteboard.
(b) A competitor may swim, walk or paddle while capsized or recovering, provided that the kiteboard does not gain a significant advantage in the race.
(c) Any means of propulsion may be used to help a person or another vessel in danger.

43: EXONERATION

Rule 43.1(c) is changed to:

(c) A right-of-way kiteboard, or one sailing within the room or mark-room to which she is entitled, is exonerated for breaking rule 14 if the contact does not cause damage, injury or a tangle.

Add new rule 43.1(d):

(d) When a kiteboard breaks rule 15 and there is no contact, she is exonerated for her breach.

44: PENALTIES AT THE TIME OF AN INCIDENT

Rules 44.1 and 44.2 are changed to:

44.1 Taking a Penalty

A kiteboard may take a One-Turn Penalty when she may have broken one or more rules of Part 2 or rule 31 in an incident while racing. Alternatively, the notice of race or sailing instructions may specify the use of the Scoring Penalty or some other penalty, in which case the specified penalty shall replace the One-Turn Penalty. However,

(a) when a kiteboard may have broken a rule of Part 2 and rule 31 in the same incident she need not take the penalty for breaking rule 31; and
(b) if the kiteboard caused injury, serious damage or a tangle or, despite taking a penalty, gained a significant advantage or caused significant disadvantage to the other kiteboard in the race or series by her breach, her penalty shall be to retire.

44.2 One-Turn Penalty

After getting well clear of other kiteboards as soon after the incident as possible, a kiteboard takes a One-Turn Penalty by promptly making a 360° turn with her hull appendage in the water with no requirement for a tack or a gybe. When a kiteboard takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, her hull and competitor shall be completely on the course side of the line before she finishes.

50: COMPETITOR CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Rule 50.1(a) is changed to:

(a) competitors shall not wear or carry clothing or equipment for the purpose of increasing their weight. However, a competitor may wear a drinking container that shall have a capacity of at least one litre and weigh no more than 1.5 kilograms when full.

PART 4 RULES DELETED

Rules 45, 48.2, 49, 50.2, 51, 52, 54, 55 and 56.1 are deleted.

Definitions in Context

Finish

A boat finishes when, after her starting signal, any part of her hull crosses the finishing line from the course side. However, she has not finished if after crossing the finishing line she

(a) takes a penalty under rule 44.2,
(b) corrects an error in sailing the course made at the line, or
(c) continues to sail the course.

After finishing she need not cross the finishing line completely. The sailing instructions may change the direction in which boats are required to cross the finishing line to finish.

Mark-Room

Room for a boat

(a) to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it,
(b) to round or pass the mark on the required side, and
(c) to leave it astern.

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.

Room

The space a boat needs in the existing conditions, including space to comply with her obligations under the rules of Part 2 and rule 31, while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way.

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.

Tack, Starboard or Port

A boat is on the tack, starboard or port, corresponding to her windward side.