Page:Yachting wrinkles; a practical and historical handbook of valuable information for the racing and cruising yachtsman (IA yachtingwrinkles00keneiala).pdf/217

 VII.

RACING RULES AND THE RULE OF THE ROAD.

SOME IMPORTANT POINTS THAT AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS SHOULD BEAR IN MIND.

It is gratifying to all lovers of the sport that race committees now are in the habit of starting the yachts exactly at the time advertised—that is if wind and weather permit. The old custom of waiting half an hour or so for lazy laggards to reach the line is happily going out of fashion. As a general rule, there is no plausible excuse for a yacht being late, as under ordinary circumstances arrangements can easily be made for arriving on the scene, either in tow or under sail, in good season for the start.

Nothing adds more to the popularity of a yacht club than a race committee that knows its business, starts the race punctually as advertised unless prevented by the weather, takes the time accurately of each craft as she crosses the line, sees that the racing rules are obeyed, and after the race is finished promptly posts up a list of the winners. Above all, the committee should make