B3-26
STARTING RACES
Rule 26 is changed to:
26.1 System 1 (for Upwind Starts)
Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
| Minutes before starting signal | Visual signal | Sound signal | Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5* | Class flag | One | Warning signal |
| 4 | P, I, U, or black flag | One | Preparatory signal |
| 1 | Preparatory flag removed | One long | One minute |
| 0 | Class flag removed | One | Starting signal |
*or as stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions
The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.
26.2 System 2 (for Reaching Starts)
Races shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
| Minutes before starting signal | Visual signal | Sound signal | Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Class flag | Attention signal | |
| 2 | Red flag; attention signal removed | One | Warning signal |
| 1 | Yellow flag; red flag removed | One | Preparatory signal |
| ½ | Yellow flag removed | 30 seconds | |
| 0 | Green flag | One | Starting signal |
26.3 System 3 (for Beach Starts)
- (a) When the starting line is on the beach, or so close to the beach that the competitor must stand in the water to start, the start is a beach start.
- (b) The starting stations shall be numbered so that station 1 is the most windward one. Unless the sailing instructions specify some other system, a board’s starting station shall be determined
- (1) by ranking (the highest ranking board on station 1, the next highest on station 2, and so on), or
- (2) by draw.
- (c) After boards have been called to take their positions, the race committee shall make the preparatory signal by displaying a red flag with one sound. The starting signal shall be made, at any time after the preparatory signal, by removing the red flag with one sound.
- (d) After the starting signal each board shall take the shortest route from her starting station to the water and then to her sailing position without interfering with other boards. Part 2 rules will apply when both of the competitor’s feet are on the board.