Section R - Other requirements

RS CALL R3

Rule 2, Fair Sailing
Rule E2.2, Giving Advice

When boats are sailing in close proximity, informing the other boat of one's intentions or reminding them of their obligations is not giving tactical or strategic advice.

Assumed Facts

Two boats, A and X, are in the leading group of boats during a heat, both in a position to qualify for promotion to the next heat. As the boats approach on opposite tacks, the competitor controlling A talks to the competitor controlling X, reminding him that both boats have an opportunity to be promoted. Both A and X tack and keep well clear of each other until they finish.

Question

Is competitor A giving tactical or strategic advice to competitor X?

Answer

No. A competitor sailing in a heat that informs another boat of her position in the heat, including informing her that both boats are in a position to be promoted to the next heat or, for instance, of any obligation to keep clear or give room, is not tactical or strategic advice. In the same way, a starboard tack boat that indicates to an approaching port tack boat that she may cross is not giving such advice. When boats are sailing in close proximity, it is seamanlike to inform the other boat of one's intentions or to remind them of their obligations.

However, any guidance or recommendations offered with regard to tactics or strategy given by a competitor would break rule E2.2. Advising a boat to tack and cover another boat, or to stand on and take advantage of a favourable wind shift, would be considered to be tactical or strategic advice. Any competitor, whether sailing in the heat or not, that gives such advice would break rule E2.2.

Tactical or strategic advice that procures an advantage, or is intended to procure an advantage, for the competitor's boat giving that advice breaches recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play and may break rule 2.