How It Happens

The publication of the new edition of The Racing Rules of Sailing is the culmination of four years of thorough analysis and evaluation of proposals for change. The ISAF Racing Rules Committee is tasked with formulating, revising and publishing the RRS, with any changes ultimately subject to the approval of the ISAF Council, the final decision-making body of the International Sailing Federation.

The formulation of the RRS follows the same democratic process upon which all ISAF decision making is based. Proposed changes to the RRS are suggested in Submissions (which can be made by ISAF Member National Authorities, International Class Associations, the ISAF Executive Committee, ISAF Committee Chairmen and the ISAF President) to the ISAF Annual Conference. These are then evaluated carefully by the ISAF Racing Rules Working Party and during the meeting of the ISAF Racing Rules Committee at the Conference. That committee passes its recommendations on to the ISAF Council. Approved changes then comes into force in the next edition of the RRS. For example, the 2009-2012 RRS reflect rule changes approved by the ISAF Council during the 2005, 2006 and 2007 ISAF Annual Conferences.

After all the changes and amendments have been approved, the ISAF Racing Rules Working Party is tasked with completing the work on the new rule book.

Find out more on the members of the Racing Rules Committee and Working Party on the ISAF Committees microsite here.

RRS Reproduction

The ISAF policy on the reproduction of the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing is available online and sets out the rights of MNAs and commercial organizations to use the RRS in publications.

You can view ISAF's policy on the reproduction of The Racing Rules of Sailing here.