Page 202 - RRS 2017 - 2020 (Reprint)

MISCONDUCT

Rule 69 is used by the sport of sailboat racing to control and
penalise unacceptable behaviour during an event. It covers both
on and off-the-water behaviour. Action under rule 69 is entirely
separate from any protest and from any penalty for any other rule
that may have been broken.
The protest committee may receive reports from competitors,
officials or spectators, or may initiate action of its own accord. It may
decide merely to interview the competitor, or to act under rule 69.2.
If proceeding with a rule 69.2 hearing, the protest committee must
promptly inform the competitor in writing of the alleged misconduct.
Allegations have to be proven to the comfortable satisfaction of the
protest committee, bearing in mind the seriousness of the allegations.
Competitors subject to a rule 69 hearing are entitled to be
accompanied by a friend, coach, parent or other advisor at the hearing.
If the protest committee decides that the competitor did commit
the alleged misconduct, it may take a range of action as set out in
rules 69.2(h). Rule 69.2 explains when a report should be made
to the RYA which, when appropriate, may then impose further
penalties beyond the jurisdiction of the protest committee.

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