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Appendix M: Non-Competitors

M The rules concerning non-competitors.

M.1 There is a common misperception that non-competitors (such as coaches,
parents, spectators) can be disciplined under rule 69. This is very rarely the
case and this appendix is a short explanation of why.

M.2 The Racing Rules of Sailing are technically a contract between all competitors
and the organising authority. It is from the consent of the competitors, found
through their acceptance of this "RRS contract", that the protest committee
and the RYA derive their jurisdiction to discipline them. There is no special
standalone legal authority granted to the RYA or race officials to exercise
jurisdiction over competitors: it must derive from the RRS.

M.3 It follows that, as only competitors enter racing and agree to be bound by the
RRS, it is only they that can be disciplined under rule 69. Coaches,
spectators, parents, etc. do not enter racing themselves and so have not
agreed to be governed by rule 69.

M.4 There is sometimes an argument that parents or coaches can be bound by
rule 69 because they sign various documents when registering or through
entering their competitors in racing. The RYA's view is that it is legally unsafe
to use this approach.

M.5 Disciplinary action through club or class association rules is still available
where appropriate.

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