Having decided to enter the DeQuincy Cup, I thought I'd better at least read the team racing rules.  Fortunately there are only a few changes to the 'who gives way to whom' section.  Unfortunately they are not entirely clear to me in a couple of areas.

1) Size of the Zone.  The Team Racing Appendix (D) says two lengths, The Radio Sailing Appendix (E) says four lengths.  Couldn't see anything about Appendix priority so which is it for Radio Team Racing, two or four?  You could even argue that it should be three i.e. one less than the 'normal' zone.

2) The Team Racing Version of 18.2 is gloriously simple and easy to understand and so must obviously be different to the normal convoluted and complex version, but what are the differences?  I have read and re-read 18.2 and I still can't follow all it's twists and turns.

Looking at the semantics rather than the detail:

18.2 a) Says: Here's a rule that applies unless the following rule applies.

18.2 b) Gives two rules, but as you enter the zone, one or other of these must always apply.  Given that the whole of rule 18 only applies when one or other of the boats is in the zone, when does 18.2 a) apply?

18.2 d) Gives conditions under which 18.2 b) no longer applies.  So does that mean that 18.2 a) turns back on again?

When Googling this for guidance I came across a campaign to simplify rule 18 - I'd support that.

 

 

 

I have no experience with Team Racing and would not attempt to comment on questions, but I may be able to point you in the right direction for information.

You may download the Team Racing Call Book from the World Sailing Site - go to this link and scroll down for Team Racing.

https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/rules-regulations/racing-rules-of-sailing/

For questions about the windward mark and R 18, look for calls that begin with E.

John