World Sailing Official Case Book

Case Q&A 2026.002

World Sailing Neutrality Policy (A5) as a rule

World Sailing Q&A 2026.002

Question 1

Must an event that is not a World Sailing Event make World Sailing Neutrality Policy a rule?

Answer 1

No. The requirement to use the World Sailing Neutrality Policy only applies to World Sailing Events. At events listed in World Sailing Policy E5 (other than World Sailing Events), it is recommended that AINs, neutral support persons and neutral race officials be permitted to participate. For other events the organizing authority may choose not to make a rule regarding neutrality, or they may choose to use or create rules relating to neutrality that may be needed to comply with local government regulations or guidelines. World Sailing recommends that any rules made by non-World Sailing Events are justifiable and proportionate.

Question 2

Can an organizing authority make the World Sailing Neutrality Policy a rule when their event is not a World Sailing Event?

Answer 2

Yes.

Question 3

Can the World Sailing Neutrality Policy be changed to suit an event that is not a World Sailing Event?

Answer 3

Yes. Note that a World Sailing Event must not change the Policy. However, World Sailing recommends that any changes to the Policy made by non-World Sailing Events are justifiable and proportionate.

Question 4

How would an organizing authority make the World Sailing Neutrality Policy a rule?

Answer 4

An organizing authority for an event that is not a World Sailing Event would state in the notice of race that the World Sailing Neutrality Policy governs the event. The Policy may need to be changed to reflect the practicalities of the event in question. Below is an example of what an organizing authority that is not organizing a World Sailing Event may choose to include in their notice of race:

1.x World Sailing Neutrality Policy (A5) shall apply, and is changed as follows:
- (a) Reference to a 'World Sailing Event’ is changed to reference the event as described in the NoR.
- (b) The following clauses are deleted: 6, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4. 7.5, 10.1, 10.3, 14, and 15.
Implementation of this Policy may change RRS Appendix G.
A boat may not protest another boat for breaking this rule. This changes RRS 60.1.

Note:
If the notice of race includes the designation [NP] in its Preamble, this can be used and the last sentence deleted. Organizing authorities should check what clauses should be deleted. For example, some events may still require a WS Sailor ID, therefore clauses 6, 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4 may still need to apply to that event.