National Judge Seminar - Australian Sailing · National Judge Seminar Welcome. ... [DP] Definitions • Italicised defined words in rules. B. ... Interaction depends on level of event:

Australian Sailing |

National Judge Seminar

WelcomeNovember 2017


• Venue:

• Date:

• Presenters:

Mobiles off please

National Judges Seminar

National Judge Seminar2


Welcome from Australian Sailing• Introductions first.

• We all need to know each other’s name and hear a brief summary of your background

or experience.


Welcome


World Sailing – International Sailing Federation

• Rules, cases, International Judges program, International Judges Manual

AS – Australian Sailing

• Our National Authority, National Officiating Program (NOP), Appeals

OA – Organising Authority

• Publishes NoR, appoints RC

RC – Race Committee

• Writes SIs, runs races, scoring

TC – Technical Committee

• Appointed by the OA or RC

NJ – National Judge


The Bodies we will meet


Structure of the Rules

5 National Judge Seminar


Introduction

• Includes terms such as “boat”, defines a [DP]

Definitions

• Italicised defined words in rules

Basic Principles

• Sportsmanship and Environmental Responsibility


Rules Structure


Parts 1-7

• Rules organised in logical groupings

Appendices

• Scoring, Boards, Match Racing etc.. Specific to some rule users

Race Signals

• What the flags/Shapes and sounds mean


Rules Structure


Part 1 Fundamental Rules

Part 2 When Boats Meet

Part 3 Conduct of a Race

Part 4 Other Requirements When Racing

Part 5 Protests, Redress, Hearings, Misconduct and Appeals

Part 6 Entry and Qualification

Part 7 Race Organisation


Parts 1-7

Australian Sailing | National Judge Seminar9

When Boats Meet


Exercise


Australian Sailing |11 National Judge Seminar


• B is close hauled on starboard tack approaching the windward mark, with A overlapped

to windward of B when they reach the zone and slightly ahead.

• A does not give B room to round the mark.

• B sails to the leeward side of the mark and gybes to commence to re-round the mark.

• A is required to give mark-room to B and has failed to do so.

• Rules18.2(b), Definition Mark-room

• (Due to the number of boats approaching the mark, B, on port, may not be able to find

a gap to tack into. There is no facility in the rules for a Protest Committee to grant

redress under this situation.)


Facts



• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4emdfoTvNKk&t=470s


Sometimes... Video is great

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4emdfoTvNKk&t=470s


• A on starboard tack is fetching the windward mark.

• B on port tack commences to tack and is subject to Rule 13 in the zone.

• B completes her tack and is on a close hauled course.

• A sails above a close hauled course to avoid contact with B.

• A was required to sail above close hauled course to avoid B.

• Rule 18.3.


Facts


The Protest Committee’s Event

Preparation



• Review NoR and SIs, class rules etc

• Prepare Judge kit (clothing, books, equipment etc.)

• Consider conflict of interest RRS 63.4


Pre-event Responsibilities of each member


• Review all documents

• Liaise with OA on logistics:

• Housing

• Transportation

• Protest Committee room

• Wi-Fi

• Dropbox/Google Drive/Whatsapp

• Boats

• Meetings


Pre-event Responsibilities of the PC Chairman


• Review NoR, SIs, class rules

• Logistics: boats, clothing, food, communications, member contacts, Wi-Fi, Electronic

ONB

• PC authority and policies

• PC philosophy


Protest Committee’s First Meeting at an Event


• On-the-water presence

• PC protests

• Coach, Support Person and competitor questions

• Dealing with coaches, press

• Dealing with Juniors protocol


Protest Committee Authority and Policies


When the PC should take action:

• Rule 42 - Propulsion (App. P) Focus on prevention or penalties

• Serious damage or injury and no protest

• Misconduct

• Fair sailing:

• Incomplete penalty

• Boat aware of touching mark

When the PC need not take action:

• Part 2, no serious damage


Protest Committee Philosophy


Meeting with RC:

• Communication between PC and RC

• Safety role

• PC role (SI changes etc.)

• RC procedures (abandonment, safety, RC protests etc)

• Role of RC in OCS requests for redress – New Case

Competitors’ Meeting:

• Simple questions – Refer to Rule/SI – Use rule words

• Tricky/Complex/Contentious Questions – Request question in writing


Other Early Protest Committee Responsibilities on Site


Working with

Competitors & Support Persons



Interaction depends on level of event:

• Club race vs. World Championship

• In all cases, friendliness, fairness and impartiality

• Fleet Racing vs. Match Racing/Team Racing


Dealing with Competitors


RRS Appendix T:• Enables a friendlier, less confrontational tone and successful arbitration means happier sailors

• T1 Protests for Part 2 or Rule 31 breaches may be arbitrated. 30% scoring penalty unless stated otherwise in SI’s

• T2 No witnesses, one representative from each boat (who was on the boat)

• T3 Arbitrator may offer one of three opinions that PC may find: a) protest may be invalid; b) no rule broken; c) one or more boats may have broken a rule.

• T4 After Arbitrator offers opinion a boat may accept a penalty or withdraw protest – if neither outcome reached proceed to full Protest Hearing.

Arbitration Process:• Minimal props (eg model boats), private area for discussion, 5 to 10 minute total process for

parties to explain their version of incident – any longer it is unlikely to reach an outcome and should go to PC.


Arbitration


• Empathy and understanding

• Willing to answer questions

• Willing to explain decisions

• Demonstrate fairness and impartiality

• Child Safety Act – Direct contact


Inexperienced or Young Competitors


• Be patient but firm

• Re-explain procedure – They may not know

• Avoid arguments:

• Get questions in writing

• Do not act alone

• For contested decisions:

• The PC must fulfil its duty to:

• Find facts

• Make decisions based upon the rules and principles of fairness


Difficult Competitors


• Included in 2017-2020 rules for first time

• Accredited coaches rarely cause issues

• They serve the competitors so deserve respect

• Support boats provide additional safety

• Note restrictions in Sailing Instructions

• Restricted areas during racing must be well defined

• Parents may simply not know, so explain


Support Persons


• RRS Definitions: “Support Person”

• RRS 3.1(b) agrees to accept rules

• RRS 3.3(d) Competitor to ensure Support Person aware of rules

• RRS 64.4(b)(2) Competitor (not coach) must be warned of Support Person breach

before they can be penalised:

• Unless “gained a competitive advantage” from breach”


Support Person Rule Breaches


The Protest Committee on

the Water



• PC boat positioning

• PC boat visibility – at the hot spots

• Observe the conduct of the competition:

• Course configuration

• Starting line

• Race signals

• Crowded mark roundings


Observing from on-the-water


• Record:

• Race number, leg, time

• Boats involved

• Sketch or full description of incident

• No discussion except in hearing with parties:

• Notify chairman of observed incidents

• RRS 63.6 – Must state fact that saw incident and may give evidence

• Discuss incident only with parties present

• Do not elaborate or re-explain in deliberations – call parties back


Observing an Incident


Types of Hearings



• Boat vs. boat (60.1)

• Race committee vs. boat (Rule 60.2)

• Protest committee vs. boat

• Under Rule 60.3(a)

• Under Rule 60.3(a)(1) – serious damage or injury

• Under Rule 60.3(a)(2) and 61.1(c) – during a hearing

• Technical Committee vs. boat (Rule 60.4)


Possible Protestors


• RRS 92 Technical Committee

• Equipment inspection and event measurement

• Can now protest

• RRS 78.1 Boats must comply with Class Rules

• RRS 64.3(a) Not penalised if wear or damage and no advantage

• RRS 64.3(b) Doubts – responsible authority – binding interpretation

• RRS 64.3(c) Earlier races can be penalised


Technical Committee Protests


Exercise




• B is running down wind on starboard gybe with A on port gybe; A overlapped with B

and headed onto a collision course with B. A gybed onto starboard.

• B commenced to slowly alter course to windward giving A room to keep clear, finishing

on a close hauled course.

• A responded, altering course to windward, before making an abrupt alteration in course

to windward, breaking the overlap with B.

• A commenced to pull away.


Facts


• B established an overlap to leeward within two boat lengths of A from clear astern. A

continued pulling away.

• B continued on her beat windward and did not pull away to sail a proper course.

• Contact was made between A’s port back quarter and the bow of B.

• A took no action to avoid the contact.


Facts (continued)


• Having established an overlap to leeward from clear astern within two boat lengths of A,

B continued to sail above a proper course.

• A did not avoid contact when it became clear that B was not going to commence to sail

a proper course.

• Rules 11, 14, 16.1 & 17

• Both boats are DSQ


Conclusions and Decision


The Protest Hearing



• Dark locked away corner of club, or tables on the lawn?

• Organisation of tables and chairs

• Temperature and quiet

• Not to be overheard

• Appropriate dress code

• Appropriate formality level

• Polite yet firm


Atmosphere


• Assign roles

• Hearing Chair, Scribe, Lead questioner, Witness fetching

• Runs an orderly fair hearing

• Discourage inappropriate behaviour

• Discourage leading questions

• One person speaking at a time

• Follow/re-explain protest committee procedures


Chairman’s Management



• Not automatic, PC must approve

• Find out reason

• Allow withdrawal unless suspicion of coercion

• Record approval on protest form (and requestor should sign)


Right to Withdraw Protest


• One individual from each party:

• Must have been on board unless there is good reason to rule otherwise

• Present during all testimony and evidence

• Witnesses:

• Present only while giving evidence, except if PC member

• Absent parties:

• May decide protest, Rule 63.3(b).

• May reopen


Right to Be Present


• Usually allow

• Only exclude if:

• Reasonable objection by one of the parties

• Could make a party or atmosphere uncomfortable

• Silent, at the back and may not leave (segregate during adjournments)

• Cannot be a witness

• No recording devices or mobile phones

• Cannot make eye contact with either party or witnesses


Observers


• Introduction

• Conflict of Interest

• Interpreter?

• Validity

• Protestor’s story

• Protestee understands?

• Protestee’s story

• Protestor understands?

• Protestor’s questions

• Protestee’s questions

• Necessary PC questions

48

Protest Procedure – Appendix M


• Protestor’s witness(es) called

• PC asks to explain what they saw

• Questions to the witness (Protestee, Protestor, PC)

• Protestee’s witness(es) called

• Questions to the witness (Protestor, Protestee, PC)

• Final PC questions

• Final statements (Protestor first)

• Agree facts, conclusions and rules that apply,

decision

• Inform parties of decision


• Introductions

• RRS 63.4 “COI” declared and recorded – Case 137

• Cannot be PC member unless all parties consent, or;

• PC decides not significant:

• Level of conflict

• Level of event

• Importance to each party

• Overall perception

• RC member: boat on boat vs RC improper action?


Introductions and Conflict of Interest


• Are translators, not rules advisors

• Tell them so!

• A PC member may be a translator

• Independent interpreter is preferable

• A coach is preferable to a PC member (PC members can then listen)


Interpreters


• Inform protestee:

• Hail

• Flag (if required; not required under 6m)

• Must be in writing:

• Must describe incident

• Other requirements can be met after lodging

• Must meet protest time limit:

• Time limit may be extended


Validity


• Excuse parties if PC needs to deliberate

• Decide validity, then:

• Valid - hearing will continue

• Invalid - hearing is closed


Validity Decision


What happened?

• Ask necessary questions – but they can give the game away

• Save questions until last required moment. Avoid leading questions

• What rules might apply to this incident?

• What are the boats’ obligations under these rules?

• What facts are needed to determine whether boats met these obligations?

• What question/s will help establish those facts?

• Ask only questions that help find facts


PC Questioning Techniques


• All parties have the right to call any witnesses

• Techniques to reduce excessive number


Witnesses


• Weigh all testimony with equal care

• Control your facial and verbal expressions

• Be aware of the parties’ body language

• Varying testimony does not necessarily mean that someone is lying

• Listen carefully and take notes


Listening to Testimony


• Hearsay is not evidence

• Photos, Video, Tracking –

• Depth of field, angle, accuracy

• Party presenting brings equipment

• Play without comment a couple of times first

• Written testimony by absent author:

• Only Chairman should see unless accepted

• Accept only if all parties agree (as witness cannot be questioned)


Other Evidence


“Now is the time for your final statement.

There is no need to repeat your story.”


Final Statements


• Ask parties and observers to leave

• Don’t laugh! Don’t joke!

• Ask less experienced judges first

• Mix the order

• Record easily agreed facts in order

• Apply relevant rules to facts

• Identify missing facts

• Discuss and agree controversial issues


Deliberations


• Balance of Probabilities vs Beyond reasonable doubt?

• Back up to last point of certainty

• Assess weight of conflicting evidence

• Recall parties for missing information

• Establish most likely scenario

• Try to get unanimity among PC

• Last resort: take a vote


Resolving Controversial Issues


• Was there contact?

• If yes, did any boat break Rule 14, “avoid contact”?

• If yes, does any penalty apply?

• If no damage, Rule 14(b) applies

• (broke rule but not penalised)


Rule 14


• RRS 21 – Taking (only) room or mark-room entitled to?

• RRS 64.1(a) compelled?

• Conclude broke rule but exonerated


Exoneration 21 or 64.1(a)


• Just concentrate on agreeing the facts

– Don’t get into rules yet

• Get input from all members

– Some members may need to be drawn out

• Jot down the FACTS which are not in dispute

• Resolve any differences of opinion

• Reach a consensus which all can agree

– Try to avoid voting


Reaching the Decision


• Scribe to lead with draft “FACTS FOUND”

• Edit the draft to a wording which all can agree

• Reach the “CONCLUSIONS” you can draw from the “FACTS”

• The applicable rules should now be clear

• Correct and complete wording should not need a diagram

• The decision should now be straightforward!

• Most decisions can use standard wording – Refer to Handout


Reaching the Decision


• No rule broken – dismiss protest

• Boat broke a rule – DSQ

• Exceptions:

• Exoneration when compelled to break a rule (RRS 21 or 64.1(a))

• [DP] or [SP]

• Other penalties in SI’s

• Rule 64.1(b) applies

• Rule 14(b) and Rule 36

• Part 2 pre-amble: Boat not racing – no damage or injury


Decision


• DNE = Disqualification Not Excludable

• RRS 2 Decide if DNE or DSQ

• RRS 30.4’s last sentence (Black Flag Rule)

• RRS 42 (propulsion) if P2.2 or P2.3 applies

• RRS 69

• Inform scorer promptly – check on posted results


DNE


• Recall parties to protest room

• Read facts found, the conclusion reached and the decision

• Copy of decision upon request

• When and where available

• Provide diagram – if relevant or valuable

• OK to explain decision, if time


Informing the Parties


Redress



• Boats cannot protest the RC or PC

• Redress cannot be granted without a hearing

• Who can seek or grant redress:

• A boat can seek redress (RRS 60.1(b))

• A RC can request a PC to consider redress for a boat (RRS 60.2(b))

• A PC can call a hearing to consider redress for a boat (RRS 60.3(b))

• If, in the course of a hearing, a PC decides a boat is entitled to redress, they can

grant her redress even if the boat does not ask for it (RRS 64.2)


Redress


• Must be in writing, including unresolved scoring enquiries

• Must meet redress time limit – RRS 62.2

• Later of protest time or within 2 hours of incident

• Time limit may be extended

• No flag required


Validity of Request for Redress


• All of these conditions must be satisfied:

• No fault of her own

• Score or place, in race or series, has been or may be, made significantly worse

for one of 4 reasons ...


Qualifying for Redress


• Improper action or omission by OA, RC, TC or PC

• Injury or physical damage by:

• Boat breaking a Part 2 rule

• Keep-clear vessel not racing

• Giving help under RRS 1.1

• A boat penalised under RRS 2 or penalty or warning under RRS 69.2(h)


Qualifying for Redress


• Mistiming or incorrect signals

• Improper notification of changes to SIs

• Wrong identification

• Missing or drifting mark? RRS 34 – “if possible”

• Incorrect scoring should be fixed with RRS 90.3(c) by RC


Race Committee Errors


• Incorrect decision, but not by a boat that was a party to the protest hearing

• Improper procedures – Notifications?

• Not pausing and/or reopening hearings

• Collision with a PC boat

• On-the-water RRS 42 penalty in error. Redress limitations in Part 4


Protest Committee Errors


Caused by a:

• Boat breaking a Part 2 rule

• Vessel required to keep clear

• Finishing position must have been made significantly worse


Injury or Physical Damage

Examples:

• Broken rudder

• Badly torn sail

• Injured crew member

• Capsize

• Rigs or lifelines entangled

• Loss of places

• Crew overboard

• Emotional


• Boat must comply with Rule 1.1

• Reasonable decision to help:

• World Sailing Case 20


Giving Help


• Redress cannot be considered without a hearing

• When redress requirements have been met:

• PC must make as fair an arrangement as possible

• May need testimony from other boats

• PC must consider all boats affected

• Abandoning race only as a last resort


Redress Decisions


• Scoring adjustments in Rule A10:

• Position at last mark

• Time adjustment

• Average points

• Redress given to all boats affected

• Fairest arrangement may be to do nothing

• Abandon race – last resort


Fair Arrangements


Damage and Injury



• Damage or injury by right-of way boat or boat entitled to room – RRS14

• Boat broke a Part 2 rule and caused injury or serious damage, must retire – RRS

44.1(b)

• No redress unless injury or physical damage – RRS 62.1(b)

• PC may protest if injury or serious damage – RRS 60.3(a)(1)


Damage and Injury


• Not possible to define, but World Sailing Case 19 suggests:

• Market value diminished?

• Item or equipment made less functional?

• Crew member injured?


Damage


• Not possible to define, but ask:

• Performance of boat or crew seriously impaired?

• Market value significantly diminished?

• Crew member injured?


Serious Damage


• Example of physical damage:

• Real damage to boat or crew

• Examples of what is NOT physical damage:

• Capsize with no damage causing loss of places

• Rigs or lifelines entangled


Physical Damage


• Example:

• Injury requiring medical attention beyond minor aid


Injury


• 70 Dragons - 18 knots, 2 meter seas - approaching windward mark last time

• Yellow fetching mark on Starboard, Blue ahead on Starboard not fetching

• Blue tacks and stuffs it up, Yellow tries but cannot avoid contact.

• Yellow in 10th place.

• Boats tangle and Spinnaker chute cover clip breaks on Yellow ($2 fitting).

• Blue does 2 turns,

• Yellow 14th around mark

• Water pours in chute without cover

• Yellow is flooding and retires while in 18th place

• Blue finishes in 13th place

• Valid request for redress lodged – What does the PC do and decide?


Exercise – Split into groups


• Close redress hearing, protest Blue and hear it concurrently? – 60.3 (a) (1)

• Inform Blue 61.1 (c)

• Hold an Arbitration?

• Award Redress?

– Average points?

– 10th, 13th , 14th, 18th – Other?

– Disqualify Blue? 44.1(b)


Did you?


Exercise




• A & B are approaching the leeward mark, both on port gybe.

• A is to windward of B and they are overlapped.

• On reaching the mark, contact occurs between the mark and A and between A’s boom

and the shrouds of B.

• C is clear astern of A and B.

• B has failed to give Mark-Room to A.

• A is exonerated for hitting the mark due to the infringement of B for not giving her room

at the mark.

• Rules 18.2(b), 64.1 & Definition Mark-Room


Facts


Hearings Involving

Misconduct



• As a result of a previous hearing:

• Rule 2 penalty or

• Rule 69 disciplinary action

• New World Sailing case 138


Fair Sailing or Misconduct


• Can be applied alone

• Must be CLEARLY ESTABLISHED

• Boats, PC, TC and RC can protest under RRS 2

• Penalty is DSQ or DNE

• As the Penalty options and stigma may not be as severe, expect this rule to be found

broken more often!


Rule 2 – Fair Sailing


• Addresses behaviour of competitors, not of boats

• Rule 69 is a procedural rule, it cannot be broken by a competitor

• Not protestable

• PC may act on report or observation


Rule 69: Misconduct


• May be from any source, including an interested party

• Does not have to be in writing

• May be in any form, for example:

• Social media – Facebook/Instagram

• Video/Youtube

• Protest form

• Testimony in a hearing


Rule 69: Report to PC


• PC must decide whether or not to call hearing:

• May interview reporter or accused

• Consider other information as needed

• If yes, PC must inform competitor in writing of:

• Time and place of hearing

• Statement of allegation

• Special procedures if investigator appointed


Rule 69: Hearings


• Must have at least 3 members

• If a club event, consider getting different judges

• May issue warning or penalise

• Any penalty must be within PC’s jurisdiction

• Report penalty to NAs:

• Do not report warning

• NAs: competitor, venue, boat owner


PC’s Actions in Rule 69 Hearings


Reopening a Hearing



• Sources:

• Request from boat (<24 hours, except on last day of racing)

• Request from RC/OA/TC (<24 hours, except on last day of racing)

• PC itself – could be after an invalid request from boat or RC (no time limit)


Reopening a Hearing


• Preliminary meeting to decide:

• Investigate the party’s new evidence

• Consider other information as needed

• Other boats affected by arrangement PC was not aware of? RRS 64.2

• Reopen only if:

• A significant error may have been made, or

• Significant timely new evidence is available


Deciding Whether to Reopen


• Inform parties

• Same PC members if possible

• Rules of Part 5 apply

• May or may not reverse decision and may update facts/conclusions to support original

or new decision.

• Where there is a problem, you should do it, you will get more respect from the

competitors.


Reopening a Hearing


National & Other Juries



Status of Protest Committees

Protest CommitteeAppointed by OA

or RCAppealable

National Jury Approved by Australian Sailing No appeal

International Jury

Approved by Australian Sailing

or Approved by World

Sailing

No appeal


Protest committee – Club level

• Recommended minimum 3 members

National Jury – Major regatta level or national event

• Minimum of 3 members

• Minimum 2 National Judges and 1 State Judge

• Not less than two states or countries represented

International Jury – World championships or other international events:

• Minimum of 5 members

• Majority shall be International Judges

• Maximum of 2 judges from one Member National Authority


Various Protest Committees


Events without appeal and without a National or International Jury:

• Qualification for later stage of event

• Approved by Australian Sailing (restricted entry)

• In accordance with Australian Sailing Addendum A, Part 1


Exceptions to Appeal


• Hear protests, requests for redress

• Advise OA and RC on fairness when asked

• Eligibility (if requested)

• Crew and equipment substitutions (if stated in the Sailing Instructions)

• Arbitration (Appendix T)


National Jury’s Responsibilities


• Check Sailing Instructions and discuss necessary changes with RC

• Only if so directed by the OA:

• Sailing Instruction changes

• Supervise RC

• Other matters referred by OA


National Jury’s Further Duties


Exercise




• On approaching the windward mark, B is close hauled on port tack and enters the zone

with A clear astern on the same course, but sailing a course to windward of B. The

mark is to be left to port.

• B commences to tack to round the mark and A is required to pull away suddenly to

pass behind B.


Facts


• A is required to give B Mark-Room, A is not required to give B room to tack.

• When B passed head to wind, Rule 18.2(b) ceased to apply.

• B has broken Rule 13.

• Rules 13, 18.2(b) &18.2(d), Definition Mark-Room.


Conclusions and Decision



• A is close hauled on starboard tack, with B close hauled on port tack on a collision

course with A.

• B commences to tack and A is required to luff up to avoid a collision with B.

• B has broken Rule 13 by not keeping clear of another boat, A, whilst tacking.

• Rules: 10 &13


Facts



• A and B are both close hauled on starboard tack approaching the starting line to start,

A being to leeward of B.

• A luffs up slowly and B responds accordingly.

• B has kept clear of A, therefore no rule has been broken.

• Rules 11 &16.1


Facts



• B, on starboard gybe, enters the zone with A on the same tack, slightly ahead and

overlapped to windward but just outside the zone.

• B commences to bear away to round the mark.

• B gybes and sails no farther from the mark to sail that course.

• No rule has been broken.

• Rules 11, 18.2(b) & 18.4.


Facts



• B is close hauled on starboard tack.

• A is close hauled on port tack.

• Prior to A finishing her tack, B altered course to windward to avoid A making contact

with the transom of A.

• If B had held her course there would have been no contact.

• B, being the right of way boat, altered course to avoid contact with a boat tacking, A.

• Rules 13 & 14


First Situation


• B is close hauled on starboard tack.

• A is close hauled on port tack on a collision course with B.

• A commences to tack on to starboard tack.

• Prior to A finishing her tack, B made contact with the transom of A.


Second Situation


• A, whilst tacking, failed to keep clear of another boat, B.

• B also broke Rule 14 but as there was no damage and it was the right of way boat, it is

not penalised.

• Rules 13 & 14.



Australian Sailing

National Judge



• Racing experience

• Knowledge of the rules

• Broad Protest Committee experience

• Judicial temperament

• Physical capability

• Proficiency in English

• Support policies of Australian Sailing

• Within last 4 years:

Participate in a NJ seminar and pass exam (first appointment)

Serve on sufficient protest committees at principal events

Possess sailing related experience and judicial temperament

Be assessed and approved

121

How to become an Australian Sailing National Judge


There is no set order to achieving all of this.

Each of you will be at different levels of these skills

and requirements


• What technical abilities are needed?

• What personal characteristics are expected?

122

Qualities of a National Judge



• Excellent rules knowledge

• Protest Committee experience

• Standard international Rules English

proficiency

• Application of the rules as written

• Observation and listening skills

• Concentration

• Physical health

• Ability to run a protest hearing – procedures

• Finding and writing facts

123

Technical Abilities


• Class and technical knowledge (at least one

protest committee member)

• Race management knowledge

• Management skills

• Communication skills

• Racing experience – how and why boats

move

• Boat handling

• Preparedness (Judge’s kit)

• Availability for the entire event


• Integrity, honesty, fairness

• Objectivity

• Ability to work within a team (PC) and

event

• Respect for competitors

• Visible, approachable

• Personal behaviour and appearance

• Aware of conflicts of interest

• Maintaining confidentiality

124

Personal Attributes


• Reliability and punctuality

• Reasoning ability

• Ability to see other points of view

• Diplomacy

• Awareness of cultural differences

• Relationships with other race officials

• Ability to make hard decisions

• Capable of handling pressure

• Continuous Improvement


• Respect hosts, competitors, colleagues, support persons

• Confidentiality

• Conflict of interest

• Punctuality

• Social behaviour

• Generally act with dignity and decorum at all times

125

Code of Behaviour



Protest Committee behaviour:• Follow dress code (on the water, ashore)

• No alcohol consumption until the end of hearings

• Telephones on mute in PC room

• No greediness

• Respect role of the chairman


Code of Behaviour


This concludes the seminar:• Enjoy the Journey

• Consider who you know that can help you – as a mentor

• Have fun and good luck!


Enjoy the Journey!

Documents

National Judge Seminar - Australian Sailing · National Judge Seminar Welcome. ... [DP] Definitions • Italicised defined words in rules. B. ... Interaction depends on level of event: