Racing Rules of Sailing
The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) are published by World Sailing and updated every four years. Adopted by clubs worldwide, they govern everything from right of way on the water to how a series is scored. These guides explain the rules that matter most to club racers.
Scoring rules
Official sources for the Racing Rules of Sailing
Where to find the current RRS, how often the rules are updated, and what RYA prescriptions add for UK clubs.
How low points scoring works
Finish position equals your score, and the sailor with the fewest points wins. DNF, DNS, OCS, and other penalty scores explained.
Discards in sailing series
Drop your worst result to reward consistency across a series. How discard formulas work and the one score that can never be discarded.
How ties are broken in sailing scoring
The RRS Appendix A sequence for breaking equal points totals, including the role of discarded races.
On-the-water rules
Port and starboard right of way
A boat on starboard tack has right of way over a boat on port tack. How to tell which tack you are on and what keep clear means.
The windward and leeward rule
When two boats are on the same tack and overlapped, the windward boat must keep clear. Luffing rights and Rule 17 explained.
Room at the mark: how Rule 18 works
Who must give way when boats arrive at a mark together. The three-boat-length zone, overlap, and mark room explained.
Starting line rules
OCS, individual and general recalls, and the penalty flags: I, Z, U, and black flag.
Penalty turns: the 720 and 360
When you can take a turn on the water instead of going to a hearing, and how to execute a 720 or 360 correctly.
How to protest in sailing
When to protest, how to hail and file correctly, and what happens at a hearing.
Alternative formats
What is match racing?
One-on-one racing where tactics and boat handling matter more than outright speed. The pre-start, on-water umpiring, and famous competitions.
What is team racing?
Two teams of boats racing together. Combined scoring creates completely different tactics: feeding teammates, covering opponents.