26 STARTING RACES

Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.

The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.

27 OTHER RACE COMMITTEE ACTIONS BEFORE THE STARTING SIGNAL

27.1 No later than the warning signal, the race committee shall signal or otherwise designate the course to be sailed if the sailing instructions have not stated the course, and it may replace one course signal with another.

27.2 No later than the preparatory signal, the race committee may move a starting mark.

27.3 Before the starting signal, the race committee may for any reason postpone (display flag AP with TWO sounds) or abandon the race (display flag N with THREE sounds).

Recall Signals

Shortened course

 

X Individual recall.

First Substitute General recall. The warning signal will be made 1 minute after removal.

S The course has been shortened. Rule 32.2 is in effect.

29 RECALLS

29.1 Individual Recall

When at a boat’s starting signal any part of her hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with ONE sound. The flag shall be displayed until all such boats are completely on the pre-start side of the starting line, but no later than four minutes after the starting signal or one minute before any later starting signal, whichever is earlier.

29.2 General Recall

When at the starting signal the race committee is unable to identify boats that are on the course side of the starting line, or there has been an error in the starting procedure, the race committee may signal a general recall (display the First Substitute with TWO sounds). The warning signal for a new start for the recalled class shall be made one minute after the First Substitute is removed (one sound), and the starts for any succeeding classes shall follow the new start.

32 SHORTENING OR ABANDONING AFTER THE START

32.1 After the starting signal, the race committee may shorten the course (display flag S with TWO sounds) or abandon the race (display flag N with THREE sounds).

32.2 If the race committee signals a shortened course, the finishing line shall be,

(a) at a rounding mark, between the mark and a staff displaying flag S; or

(b) at a line the course requires boats to cross (i.e. the normal finishing line).

The shortened course shall be signaled before the first boat crosses the finishing line.