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
