1. MEDAL RACING FOR UMPIRES
Under Sailing Instruction Addendum Q
Please use in Slide Show mode!
Version: June 2017

2. Medal Racing for Umpires
Index to Sections – click below to go directly to:
Umpiring principles 
The Rules and Addendum Q 
Protest procedures 
Penalties 
Positioning 
Rules for Windsurfers (Boards) 
The Quiz 

3. Make sure you have the correct version!
Attention!
This presentation is not a substitute for careful reading of SI Addendum Q:
Make sure you have the correct version!

4. Medal Racing for Umpires
As instant ‘Jury’
Decisions in response to valid Part 2, RRS 31 and 42 protests
Initiate penalties for breaches of RRS 31 and 42
Specific umpire-initiated penalty decisions
Prompt confirmation to Race Committee of any outstanding issues at finish of race

5. Before Racing Equipment Documents Food & Water
Flags: Green/White, Red, Black
Whistle
Radio
Wet notes
Voice recorder (optional)
Documents
SI’s, including Addendum Q
Race information sheet
Rule book
Food & Water

6. Communication between Umpires
Based on umpiring in match or team racing. More information in the manuals.
Driver adopts the boat being followed. The other umpire adopts other boats – signals and display any flags.
If one umpire states a position (‘Penalty to XXX’), the other umpire responds:
I agree
I do not agree
I did not see
If you see an incident but no protest – say ‘Incident closed’. After that a protest flag is too late!

7. Damage
Protests for breaches of rule 14 are handled after the race. [Q2.4]
The protest must be notified to the race committee before flag B is removed.
If an incident results in contact, check for damage and attempt to assess any damage as soon as possible – this may be after the race.
There is no possibility of redress [Q1.2(e)], but a boat may be penalized (DSQ) for breaking rule 14.
Umpires will not normally initiate rule 14 protests, unless the damaged boat is unable to do so.
Notified – should we replace to ‘delivered’, ‘informed’, ‘communicated’

8. Things To Remember Communication – out of the umpire boat Signalling
Keep it short, keep it simple
Check radios with Umpire team and RC (CU)
If radio fails or even when it works:
Arm raised = I have ‘something’ (the call, an issue)
Crossing hands in front = no issues (at finish)
Signalling
Clear signals and whistles
Eye contact if possible, for penalties
Tell the media - if possible - first opportunity

9. Media Calls (when relevant)
Arrange for media to listen on umpire channel.
Make a media call after any action that might be of interest.
Penalties, including 42, given by umpires.
Media calls about green-and-white flags should only be given on special occasions. Maybe one that affects a medal?
If there are any protests after the race – ‘results subject to protest’.

10. Media Call Procedure
On the umpire channel call: “Media, media, media! Stand by for a media call”
Pause 3-5 seconds and call again: “Media, media, media! We have just penalized “boat” for…. Short description of incident.
Avoid using rule numbers

11. Important! important changes
The rules in the Medal Race are the normal Racing Rules of Sailing but with some
important changes

12. RRS 42 RRS 42 – Appendix P is changed
Same penalty as for any other rule - One Turn
Independent of previous penalty history
Oscar/Romeo for Finn/470
Class rules for Finn/470/49er/RS:X
Only P5 (O and R flags) from RRS Appendix P

13. Definition “Proper Course” – Q1.1(a)
Add to definition:
A boat taking a penalty or maneuvering to take a penalty is not sailing a Proper course!

14. Room to Tack at an Obstruction – Q1.1(b)
In addition to the hails in RRS 20:
‘Room to tack’ – repeatedly and clearly pointing to windward
‘You tack’ – repeatedly and clearly pointing at the other boat waving the arm to windward
DOES NOT APPLY to BOARDS!

15. Limitation on Redress – Q1.2(e)
RRS 62.1(a), (b) and (d) are deleted!
The only reason a boat may be granted redress is for giving help in compliance with RRS 1
(For boards RRS B5.62.1(b) is also deleted!)

16. Protest Procedures While Racing – Q2.1
While racing, a boat may protest another boat ONLY for the following:
Part 2 – for incidents in which she was involved (but not for RRS 14)
RRS 31 – touching a mark
RRS 42 – propulsion

17. How to Respond to a Protest
One or more boats protest
Decide who broke a rule (but no signal)
One or more boats may take a voluntary One-Turn Penalty
After approx seconds: if no boat has taken a penalty or indicated that it will take one – penalize as decided
A boat may be penalized even if she took a voluntary penalty (more later about the additional penalties)

18. Protest Procedures After Racing – Q2.4
For rules not protestable while racing:
To protest for any other breach, or request redress (see limitations on redress), a boat must hail the Race Committee before or during the display of flag B (at least two minutes) on the RC boat
If RC changes the scoring while flag B is displayed, it will display flag L with one sound
Flag B will continue to be displayed for at least two minutes after any scoring change

19. How to Protest? – Q2.1 Protest by BOATS Protest by BOARDS
Hail ‘Protest’ + Protest flag (even for boats < 6m)
Protest by BOARDS
Hail ‘Protest’ – No Flag!
Sometimes competitors (especially boards) raise an arm in addition to hailing ‘Protest’. This helps the umpires become aware of the protest, but it is not required

20. Penalties While Racing – Q2.2
Any penalty (including for RRS 42) is a
One-Turn-Penalty
BOATS – a tack and gybe (or vice versa)
BOARDS – a 360° turn of the board, with no need for tack or gybe. RRS B4.44.2

21. Umpire Signals – Q3.1 No Penalty Penalty Disqualified
Display Green and White Flag
One sound signal with whistle
Penalty
Display Red Flag
One sound signal with whistle
Hail identity of boat
Disqualified
Display Black Flag
One sound signal with whistle
Hail identity of boat

22. Umpire Initiated Penalties – Q4.1
Touching a mark and not taking a penalty (unless compelled)
Gaining an advantage after taking a penalty
Breaking a rule deliberately
Committing a breach of sportsmanship
Failing to take a penalty correctly
Breaking RRS 42

23. Umpire Initiated Penalties – Q4.1
The umpires may impose more (2nd or 3rd) penalties
If the breach is severe or repeated
If the breach is deliberate
If the boat commits a breach of sportsmanship
If the boat gains an advantage despite taking a penalty
The umpires may display the Black flag to disqualify the boat
Normally give a second red before black.

24. Black Flag Penalties – Q4.1 & Q4.2
The umpires will display a BLACK flag to disqualify a boat if:
If a boat rounds/passes a mark on the wrong side and then rounds/passes the next mark or finishes.
The umpires may display the Black flag to disqualify the boat if:
Breaches are severe or repeated
The breach is deliberate
The boat commits a breach of sportsmanship
The boat gains an advantage despite taking a penalty
Normally give a second red before black

25. Serious damage or serious injury
The umpires may display a BLACK flag to disqualify a boat if:
a boat broke a rule and caused a serious damage or serious injury, and when
It is obvious to umpires that as a result of the incident she gains an advantage, or
She deliberately broke a rule by not retiring from the race according to the RRS 44.1(b)

26. Boat’s Obligations – Voluntary Penalty
If a boat has broken a rule, she is obligated by the Basic Principle, Sportsmanship and the Rules, to take a penalty promptly.
Waiting for a signal when she knows she has broken a rule may be seen as breaking this principle
Additional penalty Red or Black flag

27. Which Boat to Penalize? – Q2.2
An umpire may penalize any boat that broke a rule and was not exonerated and did not take a voluntary penalty!
Examples:
If one boat protests and no boat takes a penalty, the umpires may penalize either boat
If one boat protests and a boat which did not break a rule takes a penalty, the umpires may penalize any boat which was wrong
If both boats protest and one takes a penalty, the umpires may still penalize the other
If one boat protests and all boats which were ‘wrong’ take a penalty, the incident is closed
(This does not include action under RRS 14)

28. Which Boat to Penalize? – Q2.2
Multiple Boats If a boat protests and a boat that was not breaking a rule takes a penalty, the umpire may penalize any boat that broke a rule. (This does not include action under RRS 14)
In this incident the umpires decide that:
Blue did not give enough room,
Green did give enough room
Yellow protests, Green takes a penalty.
Umpires may penalize Blue
Yellow and Blue protest, Green takes a penalty.

29. When NOT to Penalize
If a boat is compelled to break a rule as a result of another boat breaking a rule, the umpires exonerate her - RRS 64.1(a), Q1.2(f) or RRS 21
If umpires do not see an incident properly
If a protest flag is not clearly displayed - no umpire sees it displayed - Q2.1
If the umpires are reasonably close but do not hear ‘Protest’ (especially if other words may be heard) - Q2.1
If the umpires disagree. (Different from only one umpire seeing the incident)

30. Umpire Action – Q3.1(b) Incomplete Penalty versus No Penalty Taken
Red Umpire Flag
Red Umpire Flag
270° turn (no gybe or no tack)
No action
Red Umpire Flag * [Q3.1(b)]
Red Umpire Flag * [Q3.1(b)]
Penalty turn (tack & gybe)
Penalty turn (tack & gybe)
Closed
Closed
* Note: The second red flag is not a new penalty, only a reminder for the athlete that the penalty remains outstanding

31. Umpire Action – Q3.1(c) No Action Abuse [Q4.1(e)] Red Umpire Flag
Penalty turn & Abuse
Red Umpire Flag [Q3.1(b)]
Red Umpire Flag [Q3.1(b)]
No action
Penalty turn & Abuse
Black Umpire Flag
Black Flag
Always advise the Chief Umpire about a Black Flag. The CU should advise the Race Committee as soon as possible

32. Penalty Turn
Begins:
When the boat starts turning, after getting well clear
Ends:
At completion of final tack or gybe
A penalty turn may be taken before the starting signal
Sometimes, especially in the pre-start while manoeuvring against another boat, it is possible for a boat to take a penalty ‘by accident’

33. Penalty Turn
If a boat taking a penalty does not keep clear of another boat, the umpires do not initiate a penalty, but the other boat may protest (RRS 22.2).
If a boat briefly interrupts a penalty turn to keep clear of another boat:
if it was clear to the umpires that the boat taking a penalty did not get well clear, the umpires may display a red flag to tell the boat her penalty remains outstanding.
if it was clear the boat did sail well clear, but the unpredictable actions of another boat cause the delay to the penalty, the umpires should take no further action.

34. Some Examples of Penalties
Yes … No ... Maybe

35. Blue should know she broke a rule
Yes – 2 Penalties
Contact
Yellow protests
No action from Blue
Penalize Blue – 1 turn
Penalize Blue – 2nd turn [Q4.1(d)]
If Yellow disabled or injured, no redress, but Black Flag Blue (if certain)
What if no protest from Yellow?
If no damage or injury - No action
If damage or injury - Q5.5 allows a hearing and DSQ under RRS 14 (if no Black Flag)
Blue should know she broke a rule

36. Yes – 1 Penalty; Maybe – 2 Penalties
Blue takes room to which she is not entitled
Yellow protests
No action from Blue
Penalize Blue – 1 turn
If, after the penalty Blue is not behind Yellow, penalize Blue with a 2nd turn
If Blue should have known she was clear astern at the zone, then the breach is deliberate and Blue should be given a 2nd penalty, even if she did not gain an advantage after the first penalty.

37. Maybe – 1 Penalty; Maybe – 2 Penalties
Does Yellow know she broke a rule?
If it is clear, the umpires may assume that Yellow knows she broke the rule
If Yellow takes a penalty, does she still gain?
Umpires should look at where Yellow would be if she did not break the rule versus where she is after taking a penalty

38. Maybe – 1 Penalty; Maybe – 2 Penalties
Has Blue deliberately broken a rule [Q4.1(c)]?
Yes, providing the breach was clear
Does it change anything whether or not Green protests?
The umpires may penalize Blue, just for deliberately breaking a rule [Q4.1(d)], but they will not normally do so unless Green protests
A few seconds before the starting signal, Blue bears away on top of Green to not be OCS

39. Yes – 2 Penalties Obvious contact with mark
No possibility of being compelled
No penalty turn
Penalize - 1 turn [Q4.1(a)]
Penalize - 2nd turn [Q4.1(d)]
A clearly touches the mark. No other boats involved

40. Protests and Appeals
No proceedings of any kind my be taken in relation to any action or non- action by an umpire – Q5.1
No appeal based on an alleged improper action, omission or decision of the umpires – Q5.2
Decisions of the Protest Committee are not appealable; A party to a hearing may not ask for a reopening – Q5.2
Protests and request for redress need not be in writing – Q5.3(a)
Protest Committee decisions may be given orally – Q5.3(b)
If PC penalizes a boat at the hearing or a Standard Penalty is applied, all other boats will be informed about the change of the score – Q5.3(d)
The RC will not protest a boat – Q5.4

41. Positioning Principles
Each umpire boat is responsible for 2 to 4 racing boats.
Do not rely on passing information to decide an incident - each umpire boat must ‘follow’ a group.
Be observant and flexible.
Minimize interference and wash.
Try to let media in.
Priorities:
Medal positions
Match races
Race leaders

42. Positioning Principles – Don’ts
Don’t – Motor parallel to a boat on your quarter
Don’t – Stay close to another umpire boat
Don’t – Cause unnecessary wash
Don’t – Give a penalty if in the wrong position
Don’t – Get pushed out of the back
Don’t – Make life more difficult for the media than necessary

43. Fleet Positioning Pre-start and start Be as far RIGHT as possible
U1 position determines other umpires positions
U3 moves to 2nd
U1 moves to 9th
U2 moves between 5th & 6th as boats line up to start 3 2 1
1 – 3
4 – 6
7 – 10

44. Fleet Positioning First Upwind U1 covers the 2-4 rightmost boats
U2 covers the middle
U3 covers the 2-4 leftmost boats 3 2 1

45. Fleet Positioning Approaching to Windward mark
U3, goes above the mark first to watch the first group (2-4 boats) rounding
U1, goes above the starboard layline, and arrives to judge the second group around
U2, follows the leeward of boats on port tack (unless detached) and judges the last group.
This needs observation and flexibility. 3 n 2

46. Fleet Positioning Leaving the Windward mark and Downwind
Each boat follows its group down the run. U3 - first group, U1 - second group, U2 - third group.
If groups split, umpires reorganise into either front, middle back or left, middle right.
Don’t lose the front group.
Look for new pressure points. Anticipate and plan ahead. 3 n 1 2

47. Fleet Positioning Approaching the Gate1 3 2
Approaching the Gate
Each umpire boat observes its own group through the gate. May go through the gate with them or remain outside.
Try to have at least one umpire boat on each mark (unless all race boats round one gate mark).
Race boats may switch group approaching the gate.
Follow your group away from the gate.

48. Fleet Positioning Second Upwind
Reorganise to avoid crossing the course as much as possible.
Try to keep one umpire with the leaders, but this umpire may change if boats cross the course.
Umpires adopt the positions of 1, 2 and 3 (as 1st windward mark) by their approaching position - and NOT because of their original number.

49. Fleet Positioning Second Downwind and Finish
Same as 1st downwind – regroup!
Do not get behind the whole fleet!!
At the finish, one umpire boat should be on either side of the fleet, especially for RRS 42! 1 3 2
Finish

50. Fleet Positioning With 4 Umpire boats
Umpire 4 remains above the windward mark - goes before the start if necessary.
Will probably need to call other umpires to impose any penalty.
Other 3 umpires go as far up the windward leg as they feel possible, in same pattern as with 3 umpires, without losing the option to get back to the gate in time.
They retain the principle of picking up a group to observe them through the gate.
Umpire 4 leaves windward mark for last downwind leg to finish.

51. Positioning Fleet System Zone System Better for slower fleets
Requires 3 umpire boats:
Left, middle, right
Front, middle, back
If able to have 4th, use as on-the-water reserve and at Mark 1 or to cover specific match races
Zone System
Better for RS:X, 49ers, Nacra above 15 knots wind speed
Ideally requires 4 umpire boats:
Top mark
Left, right, and gate / finish

52. Windsurfing (Boards) Positioning
Last Gate & Slalom marks
Umpire 1 - Slalom marks S1 & S3
Umpire 2 - Between Gate and S1
Umpire 3 - Slalom mark S2 (give enough room!)
Umpire 4 - Finishing line
Gate 2 3 S1 S2 1 S3
Finish 4

53. Windsurfing (Boards) No Zone
RRS 18 applies between boards when at least one of them is ‘rounding or passing’ the mark.
Boards are ‘rounding or passing’ the mark when their proper course is to begin the rounding manoeuvre.
Look at the legs! When they transfer body weight to a foot to ‘carve’, this is normally when they are about to round.
This may be many board lengths from the mark, or really close, depending on the wind and the mark.
Rule 18 no longer applies when the board entitled to mark-room has passed the mark.

54. Windsurfing (Boards) RRS 17 deleted - On the same tack; Proper Course
No luffing restrictions! (Except RRS 16)
RRS 18.3 deleted - Tacking at Windard Mark
No special rules for a board approaching on port tack.
RRS 18.4 changed - Proper course at a mark.
Applies when the inside board needs to gybe or bear away
RRS 31 changed – Touching a Mark
Board may touch the mark but shall not hold on to it!

55. Some Questions to Answer ...
To check and test your understanding

56. Boats must wait until the starting signal to take a penalty
Boats must wait until the starting signal to take a penalty. True or False?
FALSE
Definitions: Racing & Addendum Q1.2(a)

57. Boards are not permitted to slow down by dropping their sail in the water when approaching to start. True or False?
TRUE
RRS Appendix B There is a whole appendix dealing with board sailing - it’s worth reading!

58. Boards may get redress if their finishing positions are made significantly worse (through no fault of her own) by a board that broke a rule of Part 2 and caused the other board to capsize.
True or False?
FALSE
Addendum Q1.2(d) deletes RRS B5 in its entirety, therefore, in this respect, racing under Add Q is the same for boards and boats.

59. A boat begins taking a penalty when she passes head to wind or gybes
A boat begins taking a penalty when she passes head to wind or gybes. True or False?
FALSE
A boat begins taking a penalty when she is clearly turning to take a penalty. (See Information to Competitors)

60. A protested boat may always wait for an umpire decision before taking a penalty. True or False?
The ‘Basic Principle’, ‘Sportsmanship and the Rules’ requires a boat that knows she has broken a rule to take a penalty. Q4.1(d) allows the umpires to give a penalty for deliberately breaking a rule.
A boat not complying with this should receive a penalty for the original breach + a second penalty for breaking RRS 2.

61. Boats use a red flag to request redress for a OCS decision
Boats use a red flag to request redress for a OCS decision. True or False?
FALSE
Red flags are not required to request redress.
The only rule under which a boat may be given redress is RRS 62.1(c) [RRS 1]. Q1.2(e) deletes the other grounds for redress.
A boat that does seek redress, other than for 62.1(c), should first have the rule explained to them. If they insist on a hearing, the protest committee may decide that redress is not permissible.

62. A boat may protest if she sees another boat touching a mark
A boat may protest if she sees another boat touching a mark. True or False?
TRUE
Q2.1. While racing, a boat may protest another boat under RRS 31
However umpires may only penalize the boat if they see the contact with the mark.

63. If the umpires see slight contact between boats they may give a penalty without one of the boats protesting. True or False?
FALSE
Q4.1 limits umpire initiated penalties, and
Q5.5 limits any action by the protest committee unless there is damage or injury.

64. A boat may protest if she sees contact between two other boats 50 meters ahead of her. True or False?
FALSE
Q2.1 A boat has to be involved in the incident to protest.

65. A boat must keep the red flag flying until either a boat takes a penalty or the umpire gives a decision. True or False?
FALSE
Q2.1 A boat only has to ‘conspicuously display’ it, and must remove it before, or ASAP after a boat takes a penalty voluntarily or the umpires signal a decision.

66. The race committee may protest a boat for touching the starting mark
The race committee may protest a boat for touching the starting mark. True or False?
FALSE
Q5.4 The RC will not protest a boat.
This includes sailing the course. If a boat fails to sail the course the umpires should penalize her with a Black flag when she rounds the next mark or finishes.Q4.2.

67. A keep-clear boat may be protested for a breach of RRS 14 even if the contact did not cause damage or injury. True or False?
FALSE
Q2.4(b) & Q5.5 Only contact that caused damage or injury may be protested under RRS 14 by a boat (informing RC) or the protest committee.

68. A boat’s hail for room to tack is not valid without the appropriate arm signals. True or False?
Q1.1(b) When the umpires are certain that no arm signals have been made RRS 20 does not apply.

69. A boat may not base a request for redress from an umpire action
A boat may not base a request for redress from an umpire action. True or False?
TRUE
Q1.2(e) Redress of any kind is only possible if the boat is giving help in compliance with RRS 1.1.
Technically, a boat may always ask for redress, but Q1.2(e) prevents it from being given. So, if a boat insists on a hearing, it is best to organize one promptly. This is one hearing that it may be ‘safe’ to conduct afloat.

70. If a boat hits a mark during a Part 2 incident with a right-of-way boat she must make two turns to exonerate herself. True or False?
FALSE
Q1.2(a) only changes the first sentence of RRS 44.1 RRS 44.1(a) still applies – when a boat may have broken a rule of Part 2 and RRS 31 in the same incident, she need not take the penalty for breaking RRS 31.

71. The Umpires must signal a response to all
red-flag protests. True or False?
FALSE
Q2.2 Only if no boat takes a penalty ;-)

72. If a boat taking a penalty is not well clear of other boats while taking the penalty, the umpires should penalize her. True or False?
It Depends!!!
RRS 44 requires a boat to get well clear of other boats before taking a penalty. Well clear in medal racing may be closer than in fleet racing.
If another boat has to avoid her during a penalty, it is a Part 2 issue (RRS 22.2) and requires a red-flag protest before the umpires may take action.
If the boat taking the penalty has to temporarily curtail her turn to keep clear of a boat that has acted unpredictably, then she should not be penalized.

73. Boat A protests boat B. Boat B responds by taking a penalty
Boat A protests boat B. Boat B responds by taking a penalty. Umpires agree that actually boat A broke a rule. Umpires may penalize boat A. True or False?
TRUE
Q2.2 An umpire may penalize ANY boat that broke a rule and was not exonerated, unless the boat took a voluntary penalty.
This is a change of rule in The previous rule did not allow an umpire to penalize a protesting boat when she broke a rule and the protested boat took a penalty.

74. A boat may only inform the race committee of a non red-flag protest or request redress while flag B is displayed on the race committee boat. True or False?
FALSE
Q2.4 You may inform the Race Committee before or while flag B is displayed.

75. An inside boat that touches a mark may only be exonerated if she protests the outside boat. True or False?
FALSE
Q1.2(f) Umpires may exonerate a boat if she is compelled to break a rule, irrespective of any protest from her.

76. A boat breaks RRS 42 and you give her a penalty
A boat breaks RRS 42 and you give her a penalty. She takes a one-turn penalty and continues racing. You should give her another penalty. True or False?
FALSE
Q4.1(b) now includes RRS 42 penalties as one-turn penalties, just as a breach of a RRS of Part 2 or RRS 31
Also, the number of previous penalties in the event is not relevant

77. Good Luck 