2010 Rule Changes

Change 1 – 18.2c

The 2009 rule 18 rewrites were intended to simplify the rule without changing the game.  One change however opened an unintended opportunity for a trailing boat to turn off mark room by tacking, and while this was probably not used in fleet racing it was seen in team racing specifically to counter a leeward mark trap.  
   

Rule 18 has been changed by eliminating the language that turns off Mark Room if either boat tacks.  The new rule now says “…if the boat entitled to mark-room passes head to wind or leaves the zone, rule 18.2(b) ceases to apply”, so now the trailing boat can’t turn off mark room  by tacking.

Change 2 – Definition of Obstruction

The Definition of Obstruction has been simplified by eliminating a phrase about mark room.  This change is to help clarify when rule 18 Mark-Room and rule 19 Room to Pass an Obstruction each apply. 

Change 3 – Definition of Party

The Definition of Party has been changed so during redress hearings the Race Committee or Protest Committee can now make a boat a party to a hearing.  In hearings the RRS very specifically state who is a Party and who are Witnesses.  A Party has the right to attend the full hearing, and a Witness can only give testimony at the invitation of a Party and must be excluded from the rest of the hearing.  The new definition broadens who can be a Party.  Now when the RC or PC initiates a redress hearing the competitor(s) can be made a party and attend the full hearing.  In the past this was technically not allowed.

Appendix Changes

There are also numerous changes to update and clarify the appendixes.