RRS 42 and Appendix P... What Are Those Judges Doing?
So, you're an Opti or Laser sailor in a regatta. You've read the Sailing Instructions and notice there is a SI rule that states: RRS Appendix P will apply.
You sail to the starting line and you are a bit early. You line up with your fellow competitors and scull to hold position. Just about the time the gun goes off, a couple of judges in a power boat come up behind, blow a whistle, point a yellow flag directly at you and hail your sail number! You start and finish the race only to find out you are scored DSQ without a hearing for not taking your penalty at the yellow flag. What's going on here and what could you have done better?
To start with, you've broken RRS 42.2(d) - sculling and Appendix P-2.1. RRS 42 covers Propulsion and lists the actions that are prohibited when racing. Appendix P details what penalties are taken when on the water judging is in effect. (Appendix P is not in effect unless it is in the Sailing Instructions)
"My advice to all sailors is to be aware of Rule 42 and avoid violating it."
Regatta organizers want enforcement of Rule 42 via on the water with on the water judges. There seems to be a feeling that "a few bad apples" are cheating by using kinetics and Appendix P enforcement of the Rule is the best way to control the problem. I agree that is it extremely difficult for a competitor to protest under RRS 42. If kinetics are a problem, Appendix P is the only reasonable way to control them. As a judge, I don't like it. It means I have to be on the water from the start of the first race until most boats have finished all races. And it requires 100% concentration. I have to take care of protests or requests for redress that come up after the racing is over. This makes for a very long day; it's hard work, which we voluntarily do for our sport.
Let's look at what is involved in providing on-the-water judging and what the judges look for at different points in a race.
There should be at least two judge boats with two judges in each boat. They should be familiar with the quirks of Laser sailing as often there is so much body movement going on, it is difficult to analyze whether the sailor is sailing the boat well or illegally propelling it. If they see an infraction, except at the start, both judges must agree before blowing the whistle. If there is any doubt, they must rule in favor of the sailor. They have to be sure about their decision and be willing to discuss what they saw with the competitor after the race. They generally will use a tape recorder to back up their observations. Now, let's go sailing.
The Start and Upwind: At the start, the judge boats will be behind the line; positioned so they can watch all boats and in radio communications with each other. After the start, one boat will follow the boats on Port tack while the other follows those on Starboard.
Downwind: Downwind, we will watch the fleet from both sides and/or behind. We scan all boats looking for the one that is doing anything different. Usually, the mast is moving back and forth while the other boats' masts are not. When we see one, we will move closer to see:
Pumping and Roll Tacking can happen on any leg of the course.
Pumping: We look for repeated pumping to be rhythmic trim and release in light winds or more forceful in stronger winds and waves. The judging team will ask themselves the following questions:"Are there surfing or planing conditions? If so, it's perfectly legal so long as there is only one pump per wave." Is the boat pumping while surfing or planing?
"Could the trim and release be a response to conditions?" Is the flicking leach caused by body movement?
Roll Tacking: When tacking, we look for those who delay righting their boat after the tack is completed and sheet pump the sail. The exception in Rule 42.3(b) only applies when the boat is changing course and at no time permits sheet pumping. If a boat has increased her speed through a tack, we see a sudden and significant decrease in speed after the tack is complete. Here, the judges must agree the boat came out of the tack faster than she went into it.Two Other Things: If we have only two judge boats, we generally will pay more attention to the top 1/3 of the fleet than the rest of the competitors. Usually, we serve in the same geographic area. We see the same sailors often during the season. By doing this, we have our list of who sails fairly and who sometimes does not. As a competitor, you don't want to be on a judge's "who to watch" list.
I hope this gives you a better idea of what we judges look for when applying Appendix P on the water. We do not serve as policemen; only to help ensure fair sailing. We may throw a yellow flag or two in a race, but rarely over 4 or 5 in a regatta. Again, it is hard work for us, but we're glad to do it if it helps to keep racing fair. My advice to all sailors is to be aware of Rule 42 and avoid violating it. Also, read Appendix P. If you are "yellow flagged", take your penalty turns and get back into the game. If you know why you were flagged, shame on you and stop doing it! If not, go see the judge that flagged you after the race and ask him/her to explain what they saw and why they flagged you. It's our job to help ensure fair sailing and to educate those who break a rule and we're only too happy to do so.
Sail fair, sail fast and sail often!