APPENDIX 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
racing rules means ‘kiteboard’ or ‘boat’ as appropriate.
Note: Rules for other kiteboarding racing formats (such as Short
Track, Kitecross, Slalom, Boarder X) or other kiteboarding
competitions (such as Freestyle, Wave, Big Air, Speed) are not
included in this appendix. Links to current versions of these rules can
be found on the World Sailing website.
CHANGES TO THE DEFINITIONS
The definitions Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap, Finish, Keep
Clear, Leeward and Windward, Mark-Room, Obstruction, Start, Tack,
Starboard or Port and Zone are changed to:
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap One kiteboard is clear
astern of another when her hull is behind a line abeam from the
aftermost point of the other kiteboard’s hull. The other kiteboard is
clear ahead. They overlap when neither is clear astern. However, they
also overlap when a kiteboard between them overlaps both. If there is
reasonable doubt that two kiteboards are overlapped, it shall be
presumed that they are not. These terms always apply to kiteboards on
the same tack. They apply to kiteboards on opposite tacks only when
both kiteboards are sailing more than ninety degrees from the true
wind.
Finish A kiteboard finishes when, after starting, while the competitor is in contact with the hull, any part of her hull, or the competitor,
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 madeat the line, or
(c) continues to sail the course.
Keep Clear A kiteboard keeps clear of a right-of-way kiteboard
(a) if the right-of-way kiteboard can sail her course with no need to
take avoiding action and,
(b) when the kiteboards are , if the right-of-way
kiteboard can also change course in both directions or move her
kite in any direction without immediately making contact.
Leeward and Windward A kiteboard’s leeward side is the side that
is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. However,
when sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the
side on which her kite lies. The other side is her windward side. When
two kiteboards on the same tack overlap, the one whose hull is on the
leeward side of the other’s hull is the leeward kiteboard. The other is
the windward kiteboard.
Mark-Room Room for a kiteboard to sail her proper course to round or pass the mark on the required side.
Obstruction An object that a kiteboard could not pass without
substantially changing her course or the position of her kite, if she
were sailing directly towards it and 10 metres from it. An object that
can be safely passed on only one side and an object, area or line so
designated by the sailing instructions are also obstructions. However,
a kiteboard racing is not an obstruction to other kiteboards unless they
are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22 applies, avoid her. A
vessel under way, including a kiteboard racing, is never a continuing
obstruction.
Start A kiteboard startswhen, her hull and the competitor having
been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her
starting signal, any part of her hull or the competitor crosses the starting line from the prestart side to the course side.
Tack, Starboard or PortA kiteboard is on the tack, starboard or
port, corresponding to the competitor’s hand that would be forward if
the competitor were in normal riding position (riding heel side with
both hands on the control bar and arms not crossed). A kiteboard is on
starboard tack when the competitor’s right hand would be forward and
is on the port tack when the competitor’s left hand would be forward.
Zone The area around a mark within a distance of 30 metres. A
kiteboard is in the zone when any part of her hull is in the zone.
Add the following definitions:
Capsized A kiteboard is Capsized if
(a) her kite is in the water, or
(b) her lines are tangled with another kiteboard’s lines.
Jumping A kiteboard isjumping when her hull, its appendages and
the competitor are clear of the water.
Recovering
(a) A kiteboard is recovering from the time she loses steerage way
until she regains it, unless she is capsized.
(b) A kiteboard is recovering from the time her kite is out of the
water until she has steerage way.
F1 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 1
[No changes.]
F2 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 2
PART 2 — PREAMBLE
In the second sentence of the preamble, ‘injury or serious
damage’ is changed to ‘injury, serious damage or a tangle’.
13 WHILE TACKING
Rule 13 is deleted.
16 CHANGING COURSE OR KITE POSITION
Rule 16 is changed to:
16.1 When a right-of-way kiteboard changes course or the position of
her kite, she shall give the other kiteboard room to continue keeping clear.
16.2 In addition, on a beat to windward when a port-tack kiteboard is
keeping clear by sailing to pass to leeward of a starboard-tack
kiteboard, the starboard-tack kiteboard shall not bear away or
change the position of her kite if as a result the port-tack kiteboard must change course or the position of her kite immediately to continue keeping clear.
17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
Rule 17 is deleted.
18 MARK-ROOM
Rule 18 is changed to:
18.1 When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18 applies between kiteboards when they are required to
leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the
zone. However, it does not apply
(a) between a kiteboard approaching a mark and one leaving
it, or
(b) between kiteboards on opposite tacks.
Rule 18 no longer applies between kiteboards when mark-room
has been given.
18.2 Giving Mark-Room
(a) When the first kiteboard reaches the zone,
(1) if kiteboards are overlapped, the outside kiteboard at
that moment shall thereafter give the inside kiteboard mark-room..
(2) if kiteboards are not overlapped, the kiteboard that
has not reached the zone shall thereafter give mark-room..
(b) If the kiteboard entitled to mark-room leaves the zone, the
entitlement to mark-room ceases and rule 18.2(a) is
applied again if required based on the relationship of the
kiteboards at the time rule 18.2(a) is re-applied.
(c) If a kiteboard obtained an inside overlap and, from the
time the overlap began, the outside kiteboard is unable to
give mark-room, she is not required to give it.
18.3 Tacking and Gybing
When an inside overlapped right-of-way kiteboard must change
tack at a mark to sail her proper course, until she changes tack
she shall sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail that course. Rule 18.3 does not apply at a gate mark or a finishing
mark and a kiteboard shall not be penalized for breaking this rule
unless the course of another kiteboard was affected by the breach
of this rule.
20 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION
Rule 20.1(a) is changed to:
(a) she is approaching an obstruction, and, to avoid it safely,
will soon need to make a substantial change of her course
or the position of her kite, and
Add new rule 20.5:
20.5 Arm Signals
The following arm signals are required in addition to the hails
(a) for room to tack, repeatedly and clearly circling one hand
over the head; and
(b) for ‘You tack’, repeatedly and clearly pointing at the other
kiteboard and waving the arm to windward.
SECTION D — PREAMBLE
The preamble to Section D is changed to:
When rule 21 or 22 applies between two kiteboards, Section A
and C rules do not.
21 STARTING ERRORS; TAKING PENALTIES; JUMPING
Rule 21.3 is changed and new rule 21.4 is added:
21.3 During the last minute before her starting signal, a kiteboard that
stops, slows down significantly, or one that is not making
significant forward progress shall keep clear of all others unless
she is accidentally capsized..
21.4 A kiteboard that is jumping shall keep clear of one that is not.
22 CAPSIZED; RECOVERING; AGROUND; RESCUING
Rule 22 is changed to:
22.1 If possible, a kiteboard shall avoid a kiteboard that is capsized,
is aground, or is trying to help a person or vessel in danger.
22.2A kiteboard that is recovering shall keep clear of a kiteboard that is not.
F3 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 3
26 STARTING RACES
Rule 26 is changed to:
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.
| Minutes before starting signal |
Visual signal |
Sound signal |
Means |
| 3 |
Class flag |
One |
Warning signal |
| 2 |
U or black flag |
One |
Preparatory signal |
| 1 |
U or black flag removed |
One long |
One minute |
| 0 |
Class flag removed |
One |
Starting signal |
29 RECALLS
Rule 29.1 is deleted.
30 STARTING PENALTIES
Rules 30.1 and 30.2 are deleted.
In rules 30.3 and 30.4, ‘hull’ is changed to ‘hull or competitor.
In rule 30.4, ‘sail number’ is changed to ‘competitor number’.
31 TOUCHING A MARK
Rule 31 is changed to:
While racing, a kiteboard shall not touch a windward mark..
36 RACES RESTARTED OR RESAILED
Rule 36(b) is changed to:
(b) cause a kiteboard to be penalized except under rule 2,
30.4 or 69 or under rule 14 when she has caused injury,
serious damage or a tangle.
F4 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, 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 one turn with her hull appendage in the water.
The turn shall include one completed tack and one completed
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, 49, 50.2, 51, 52, 54, 55 and 56.1 are deleted.
F5 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 5
61 PROTEST REQUIREMENTS
Rule 61.1(a) is changed to:
(a) The protesting kiteboard shall inform the other kiteboard
at the first reasonable opportunity. When her protest will
concern an incident in the racing area, she shall hail
‘Protest’ at the first reasonable opportunity. However,
(1) if the other kiteboard is beyond hailing distance, the
protesting kiteboard need not hail but she shall
inform the other kiteboard at the first reasonable
opportunity;
(2) no red flag need be displayed;
(3) if the incident was an error by the other kiteboard in
sailing the course, she need not hail but she shall
inform the other kiteboard before that kiteboard
finishes or at the first reasonable opportunity after
she finishes;;
(4) if at the time of the incident it is obvious to the
protesting kiteboard that either competitor is in
danger, or that injury, serious damage or a tangle
resulted, the requirements of this rule do not apply
to her, but she shall attempt to inform the other boat
within the time limit of rule 61.3.
63 HEARINGS
For a race of an elimination series that will qualify a kiteboard
to compete in a later stage of an event, rules 61.2 and 65.2 are
deleted and rule 63.6 is changed to:
63.6 ProtestsProtests and requests for redress need not be in writing; they
shall be made orally to a member of the protest committee as
soon as reasonably possible following the race. The protest
committee may take evidence in any way it considers
appropriate and may communicate its decision orally.
64 DECISIONS
Add new rule 64.2(c):
(c) if a kiteboard has broken a rule and, as a result, caused a
tangle for the second or subsequent time during the event,
her penalty
Rules 64.4(a) and 64.4(b) are changed to:
(a) When the protest committee finds that deviations in excess
of acceptable manufacturing tolerances were caused by
damage or normal wear and do not improve the
performance of the kiteboard, it shall not penalize her.
However, the kiteboard shall not race again until the
deviations have been corrected, except when the protest
committee decides there is or has been no reasonable
opportunity to do so.
(b) When the protest committee is in doubt about any matter
concerning the measurement of a kiteboard, the
interpretation of a class rule, or a matter involving damage
to a kiteboard, it shall refer its questions, together with the
relevant facts, to an authority responsible for interpreting
the rule. In making its decision, the committee shall be
bound by the reply of the authority
70 APPEALS AND REQUESTS TO A NATIONAL AUTHORITY
Add new rule 70.7:
70.7 Appeals are not permitted in disciplines and formats with
elimination series.
F6 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 6
[No changes.]
F7 CHANGES TO THE RULES OF PART 7
90 RACE COMMITTEE; SAILING INSTRUCTIONS; SCORING
The last sentence of rule 90.2(c) is changed to: ‘Oral instructions
may be given only if the procedure is stated in the sailing
instructions.’
F8 CHANGES TO APPENDIX A
A1 NUMBER OF RACES; OVERALL SCORES
Rule A1 is changed to:
The number of races scheduled and the number required to be
completed to constitute a series shall be stated in the notice of
race or sailing instructions. If an event includes more than one
discipline or format, the notice of race or sailing instructions
shall state how the overall scores are to be calculated.
A5 SCORES DETERMINED BY THE RACE COMMITTEE
Rule A5.2 is changed to:
A5.2 A kiteboard that did not start, did not sail the course, did not finish, retired or was disqualified shall be scored points for the
finishing place one more than the number of kiteboards entered
in the series or, in a race of an elimination series, the number of
kiteboards in that heat.
A10 SCORING ABBREVIATIONS
Add to Rule A10:
DCT Disqualified after causing a tangle in an incident
F9 CHANGES TO APPENDIX G
Appendix G is changed to:
Appendix G — Identification
G1 Every kiteboard shall be identified as follows:
(a) Each competitor shall be provided with and wear a bib
with a personal competition number of no more than three
digits. The bib shall be worn as intended with the
competition number clearly displayed.
(b) The numbers shall be displayed as high as possible on the
front, back and sleeves of the bib. They should be at least
20 cm tall on the back and at least 6 cm tall on the front
and the sleeves.
(c) The numbers shall be Arabic numerals, all of the same
solid colour, clearly legible and in a commercially
available typeface giving the same or better legibility as
Helvetica. The colour of the numbers shall contrast with
the colour of the bib.