Disciplinary Decisions

Sportsmanship and the rules

Competitors in the sport of sailing are governed by a body of rules that they are expected to follow and enforce. A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when competitors break a rule they will promptly take a penalty, which may be to retire.

Competitors, boat owners or support personnel also have an obligation to show respect for their fellow competitors and officials. Within the Racing Rules, this is addressed primarily within Part 1, “Fundamental Rules”; and specifically Rule 2, Fair Sailing; and Rule 3, Acceptance of the Rules.

Behaviour that falls outside of these rules is viewed as misconduct and can be subject to protest. Examples include:

- Conduct that is a breach of good manners

-a breach of good sportsmanship

- unethical behaviour, or

- conduct that may bring the sport into disrepute

The Racing Rules of Sailing provide for National Authorities to receive reports from protest committees of misconduct or alleged misconduct. When Australian Sailing is in receipt of such a report it shall conduct an investigation in accordance with its established procedures and may conduct a hearing to consider taking disciplinary action within its jurisdiction.

Webinar - Handling Misconduct

Recent World Sailing Decisions

AS policy- Misconduct investigations and Hearings

World Sailing Misconduct Guidance