Sailing Association of Intermountain Lakes

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What is good race management?

Good race management produces racing that is fair, fun, and safe. Good race officers know the rules, follow them, and do their best to make the event enjoyable for all competitors. Good race management results in fewer protests and requests for redress.

The two most visible aspects of race administration consist of: {1} On-the-water race management and {2} judging. The former is concerned with starting, managing , finishing and scoring races.  The latter is concerned with protest & redress decisions and, in some case, calling fouls on the water. Less visible aspects include writing the rules to govern the racing and planning.

Is a race committee really necessary?

For informal racing, maybe not. As the racing becomes more structured and the number of competitors grow, a race committee becomes essential.

Is a protest committee really necessary?

Only if the racing results in any protests or requests for redress. <Grin>. In our experience, a protest committee is like insurance -- If you have it, you probably won't need it and if you don't have it, you will need it.

Is the protest committee a part of the race committee or separate from it?

This varies. Sometimes, the protest committee is simply the race committee (or part of it) convening for hearings. For larger events, it's recommended that the protest committee be separate and independent from the race committee. If a competitor files a request for redress arising from an alleged error by the race committee, an independent protest committee is more objective. Many qualified race officers prefer an independent protest committee, for freedom from bias in these decisions.

What’s the difference between a protest committee and a jury?

A protest committee is either appointed by the race committee and is part of it or appointed by the organizing authority completely separate and independent from the race committee. A jury is a protest committee independent from the race committee, meeting the requirements of Appendix N and including international judges.  See RRS 90. Decisions of an international jury can not be appealed. (RRS 70.4)  
 

What is the difference between a race officer and a judge?

They perform different functions and are certified separately.

• Race officers conduct the on-the-water race management, write sailing instructions, and advise on the writing of notices of races. Race officers may hear protests and requests for redress if the protest committee. SAIL participates in US SAILING’s race officer certification program.
• Judges hear protests and requests for redress, advise on writing of sailing instructions and notices of race, and may go out on the water to umpire or or observe, if requested by the organizing authority. SAIL participates in US SAILING’s judge certification program

 

Do protest committees have to follow the rules?

Yes, especially those rules dealing with protest procedures and rights of the parties.  See RRS 60-69. Protests that don’t follow the rules are subject to appeal.

Do race committees have to follow the rules?

Yes. The race committee is as bound by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and the sailing instructions as any competitor and has the further responsibility to set an example. A race committee that breaks the rules is subject to a request for redress by a competitor whose results they have materially disadvantaged and may be subject to discipline for gross misconduct. US SAILING has recently demonstrated a willingness to discipline local sailing organizations for failure to follow the rules. See RRS 88.1

Can a race committee change the rules?

The sailing instructions (written by the race committee) can change some of the rules relating to conduct of the racing by referring specifically to the rule and stating the change. They can’t change the fundamental, right-of-way, definitions, protest, or certain other rules. The race committee can change the sailing instructions by following the procedure so stated in the written SIs.
A US SAILING prescription makes an exception for experimenting with different right-of way rules in local races in order to test possibilities.  This is covered in RRS 86.

What does “rules” mean?

The rules governing an event  include the Racing Rules of Sailing, prescriptions of the national authority, class rules (including handicap classes such as PHRF), sailing instructions, notice of race, and other documents referenced in the NOR or SIs.  "Other documents" might include the regulations of the government jurisdiction for the venue.  See the RRS definition of rule.

What is the difference between “certification” and “recognition” of race officers and judges by US SAILING ?

Recognition” is the former program of US SAILING to promote excellence of race management and judging. It has been replaced by “certification”, which requires completing a class of specific curriculum, passing a test, experience in various aspects of race management or judging, and character. No judges or race officers are any longer being recognized and those now recognized will lose status as their terms expire unless they become certified. (Some race officers were "recognized" for life-time terms.)

Are there different levels for certification?

Yes. There are three race officer levels: “Club” for local events (which includes the region), “Regional” for regional-scale events, and “National” for very high-profile events.  For judges, there are presently two levels: "Judge" and "Senior Judge". A third level, "Club Judge" has been proposed, but not acted on.

What are the benefits of certification?

Certified race officers and judges are covered by US SAILING’s liability insurance while acting within the scope of their certification. Organizing authorities receive assurance that the race officer or judge has a defined level of knowledge and experience. Race officers and judges receive recognition of their  training and status.

Are there other qualification programs for race officers and judges?

Yes. The International Sailing Federation (ISAF, the world governing body) has programs for qualifying race officers and judges for world-class events and those who qualify are known as International Judges or Race Officers.  See http://www.sailing.org/, the ISAF website, for information.

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