Turns penalties and retiring
World Sailing · 2025–2028The ordinary on-water remedy for an incident involving right-of-way rules is a 2-turn penalty; touching a mark can be remedied with a 1-turn penalty. First get well clear, then promptly turn in the same direction, each turn including a tack and a gybe. An event may prescribe another penalty system.
The rule
The ordinary on-water remedy for an incident involving right-of-way rules is a 2-turn penalty; touching a mark can be remedied with a 1-turn penalty. First get well clear, then promptly turn in the same direction, each turn including a tack and a gybe. An event may prescribe another penalty system.
In practice
A boat that causes injury or serious damage, or retains a significant advantage despite a penalty, must retire under the relevant rule. Near the finish, complete the penalty and return the hull entirely to the course side before finishing. Exoneration and incidents involving both a mark and another boat have specific provisions; penalties are not simply added for every rule mentioned.
Sources & approach ↗