SailGP is exciting, there’s no doubt about that. I mean, you start with 50-foot foiling wingsail catamarans and then add in the best sailors in the world. Top it off by plonking TEN of them down on a single racecourse and the result is entirely predictable: Close calls, collisions, protests.
Oh, did I mention they go almost 60mph?
The class is so distinct from normal sailing that they’ve had to revise the standard Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) for use in the series. Some of them are new, like rule 42: teams can’t raise and lower their boards solely to propel them forward, added after a particularly windless regatta.
Others are modifications of rules most other sailors already know. Check out this recent interaction in Cadiz:
The commentary says that Canada has the right of way, and if you’re a Sailor you may be thinking the same thing I was.
“WTF?”
-me
Canada is clearly on Port tack, while France and GBR are on starboard. The Rules are specifically crafted to keep Canada from doing exactly what they did. So what in the heck is going on here? Well, SailGP’s rules are modified to give mark-room to ANY boat that reaches the circle first.
18. MARK-ROOM
RRS
18.1. When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply :
(a)between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward,
(b)between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack.
(c)between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or
(d)if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.
Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when mark-room has been given.
18 MARK-ROOM
SailGP RRS
18.1 When Rule 18 Applies
(a) Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same
side and at least one of them is in the zone.
(b) Rule 18 does not apply between boats:
(1) when one boat is approaching a mark and one is leaving it;
(2) when the boat entitled to mark-room obtained an inside overlap and, from the
time the overlap began, the outside boat is unable to give mark-room;
(3) when the boat entitled to mark-room leaves the zone; or
(4) when the boat entitled to mark-room is on the next leg and the mark is astern
of her.
It’s a little hard to spot because of their formatting, but subsection (a) on the left in standard RRS is just isn’t in the SailGP Rules. So, spitting in the face of every convention, Port boats get mark-room from Starboard boats. And they can even tack in the circle and maintain their rights.
At the end of the day it’s a little like the difference in number of feet inbounds between Pro and College football. Not that big a deal, but maybe confusing when you’re just starting out. But imagine trying to cope if the coverage made no attempt to tell you why the pass was ruled incomplete.
I did manage to finally track down a full list of their rule changes, but it’s not something they seem excited about publicizing beyond simple tutorials on YouTube.
I mean, if there was – parrot or a plank involved it would have been nerdier – but we’ll allow it.