Rule T3: ARBITRATOR’S OPINION

Section T — Arbitration

All or part of this appendix applies only if the notice of race or sailing instructions so state.

Arbitration adds an extra step to the protest resolution process but can eliminate the need for some protest hearings, thus speeding up the process for events in which many protests are expected. Further guidance on arbitration can be found in the World Sailing Judges Manual, which is available on the World Sailing website.

ARBITRATOR’S OPINION

Based on the evidence given by the representatives, the arbitrator will offer an opinion as to what the protest committee is likely to decide:

(a) the protest is invalid,
(b) no boat will be penalized for breaking a rule, or
(c) one or more boats will be penalized for breaking a rule, identifying the boats and the penalties.

Definitions in Context

Committee

The protest committee, the race committee or the technical committee.

Protest

An allegation made under rule 60 by a boat or a committee that a boat has broken a rule.

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.