News - 2012

09:00 Friday 6 Jul 2012 Rupert HolmesSome Helpful Hints from Rupert Holmes on Penalty Avoidance at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week

Every year a number of competitors lose places due to penalties, yet the majority of these are easy to avoid. Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week Sailing Instructions state that Rule 44 of the Racing Rules of Sailing does not apply – so it’s not possible to exonerate an infringement of either a rule of Part 2 of the RRS (When Boats Meet), or rule 31 (touching a mark) through taking penalty turns.

Instead, a boat that has not gained a significant advantage, or caused serious damage, can accept a penalty of 1 per cent of her elapsed time. In a three-hour race this is clearly longer than it would take to do a couple of turns, so successful crews aim to avoid infringements. If accepting such a penalty you must display a yellow flag from the first reasonable opportunity after the incident until five minutes after finishing, drawing attention to the flag as you finish, and report the incident in person at the Regatta Centre as prescribed by the Sailing Instructions. If the penalty is only accepted after finishing, but before a protest hearing, the penalty is increased by an additional two per cent of elapsed time.

Starts and navigation restrictions

Don’t risk being on the wrong side of the line in the final minute before the start if a Z-flag is displayed at the preparatory signal – a 3 per cent penalty will automatically be applied if you’re in the wrong place. Therefore, unless you’re absolutely certain of being able to nail the start perfectly it pays to be a little conservative, especially if the tide is carrying you over the line.

Although changes to the Sailing Instructions over the past few years have tidied up penalty systems and navigation restrictions, especially those off Cowes, a number of competitors still find themselves being penalised with a 3 per cent time penalty – make sure you’re au fait with all the restrictions.

Declarations

This is an area in which a surprising number of competitors lose out unnecessarily. Declarations are important for a number of reasons – firstly on a crowded finish line it may be impossible for race officers to identify every boat. The declaration, with your finish time, plus the sail number of the boat immediately ahead and behind therefore provides a cross check that allows you to be re-instated if necessary. Secondly, the system also ensures that someone from each boat can be contacted at least once a day if necessary.

Declarations can be completed either online, including internet access points at the Regatta Centre, or by SMS text message from a registered mobile phone. They must be lodged within two hours of crossing the finish line (one hour on the final Saturday).