The new rules are out. The racers, you, need to learn what has changed before you are expected to follow them. SSSS can help.
The rules of sailing get revised every four years, to take effect the year following the Olympics. Yes, next year will be one of those years. Exactly when they start to apply depends on the event.
SSSS, at least our PHRF fleet, will not change rules mid season. We will finish the year with the same version of the rules we started it with, the only ones we had in September. Like wise the Southern Sound Series will use the same rules, the old version, for all four races. However the Star fleet may well start the year, in April, using the new rules.
If you race other places, you need to read the sailing instructions closely to see which version will used. It could matter. Many of the changes are basically changes in wording to clarify a point. However the new rules do make a couple rather significant changes, particular to the rules governing mark roundings.
To help you understand these changes, Myra is arranging to have Dick Rose come talk to us. This is not confirmed, but would be some time in January, probably at Westbay. Dick is a world recognized rules expert. He led in the last major rewriting of the rules back in the 1990s. He is still on the committee charged with the revision.
The new rule books are already in print. They are out a lot faster this year than they have been in the past. Thera, our Past Commodore and chief sales person, is buying a quantity for resale to Members. Assuming the pricing renames as it has been, by buying in bulk she will have books for sale for less than USSA will sell a single book. Maybe even without taking their shipping charge into account. The plan is to have them for sale at the January Meeting. So you can have your copy when you see Dick Rose.
Steve Worcester, Star 6732