The Bosun reveals two proposed World Sailing rule changes, one of which could split the sport of offshore racing
That thud you just heard was the sound of my jaw hitting the floor. World Sailing is about to do the unthinkable. They will shortly be asked to consider two rule change proposals aimed at making offshore racing fairer, and curbing opportunities for abuse. Amazing, but true.
Mind you, these are still only proposals. The RRS changes were drafted in June for the Oceanic and Offshore Committee but are yet to be agreed, let alone ratified by the full WS Board and Council. That process is expected to begin with an online meeting this Friday.
So, what are they?
The first is an addition to RRS 42.2 (Propulsion) that would make illegal the practice of “movement … or adjustment” of a yacht’s hull appendages in a way that increased the boat’s speed beyond what it would have been without that action. In other words, you can’t rock your boat forward by swinging its canting keel back and forth, or moving the ballast. For example, this.
It’s a straightforward way to close that loophole in the rules, and R69 can take some credit for bringing it to the sport’s attention. The final wording might be tricky to draft but the intention is quite clear.
The second proposed change relates to the runaway increase in automated sailing systems.
It attempts to make a firm distinction between boats being raced by “Human Endeavour” alone, and those whose crew use combinations of computers, cameras, AI and stored power to adjust standing rigging, running rigging, spars and moveable hull appendages. (You know, like the “Human Endeavor” of having slaves below decks during the last AC, pumping sweating away while having almost no idea what is actually happening in the race. That was such a great idea! – ed)
Fundamental to this issue is the undeniable reality that sophisticated computer-directed performance is now consistently faster than human sailors. Meanwhile, the IRC and ORC agencies have resisted establishing rating adjustments to reflect that difference.
This is a crossroads moment for the sport. Adherents of a traditional approach to ocean racing will be delighted that World Sailing has finally decided to confront the ‘Man v Machine’ issue that has troubled the sport for decades. But the short-handed cohort will not be so keen.
My understanding is that the new rule will be expressed as a Code. The effect of it is that in Category 4-to-0 events the fleets will be scored separately, i.e. a “human endeavour” division, and a division in which stored power and computer-controlled functions are permitted.
If adopted, the new Code is sure to cause a significant shake-up in the offshore racing world.
To date, the major events have had a virtually unrestricted ‘all comers’ approach. All boats with a valid rating certificate – whether using stored power, autohelm, or not – have raced against each other in the same overall division. Those days might now be numbered.
But here’s the catch: individual Organising Authorities each still have significant independent powers. They can amend, or even exclude, specific RRS rules for their events. For example, the NoRs for the Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart races do not align on autohelm use.
It will be a test of World Sailing’s courage to first adopt the Code, and then exert their authority to ensure that it is accepted and adhered to throughout the offshore racing community. There are sure to be some powerful opponents. Stay tuned.
The Bosun
