Racing Rules of Sailing
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The Racing Rules of Sailing govern the conduct of yacht racing and dinghy racing. A new revision is published every four years by the International Sailing Federation, the world governing body for the sport. The current edition (2005–2008) came into effect on 1 January 2005.
Sailboat racing is a self-policing sport. As stated by the Racing Rules of Sailing, "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 or retire." See [1] (http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=je9Fh/AA&MenuID=o/v/GXks5BsOe9?7vTvOOQY12%60?caLWFIZI?m?GXdrEijX). Depending on the nature of the infraction, the penalty may be either (1) performing a complete 360-degree turn or (2) performing a complete 720 degree turn. For most rules infractions, a competitor may absolve himself or herself from disqualification from the race by taking such a penalty.