The race committee starts a two-lap windward-leeward race in good sailing conditions. After the leading boats round the first windward mark it appears that fog may settle in. When the first boat is 200 yards from the leeward mark, the race committee decides that the fog may create problems, and properly signals and executes a shortened course. All boats finish and their places are recorded. No more races are held that day. After the race committee is on shore, it decides that the fog had affected the fairness of the race and it abandons the race, posting a notice to that effect on the official notice board. No abandonment signals are made at any time.

Is it a proper action for a race committee to abandon a race for one of the reasons listed in rule 32.1(a) to (d) after all boats have finished or retired?

Yes. Rule 32.1 allows a race committee to abandon such a race, provided it first considers “the consequences for all boats in the race or series.” The phrase “after one boat has sailed the course and finished” specifies the beginning of a time period that has no specified ending. Therefore, the time period does not end when two boats have finished, or when all boats have finished, or at any other specific later time.

If abandoning such a race is a proper action of the race committee, does it make any difference whether the race committee does so while it is still on station, has left the racing area, or is on shore?

No.

If abandoning such a race is a proper action of a race committee when it is on shore, must the race committee signal abandonment with “N,” “N over H,” or “N over A” with three sounds?

No. When the race committee is on shore, it normally will post its decision on the official notice board.

If a race committee abandons a race when it is on shore, is there a time limit before which it must do so?

Answer 4

No.

February, 2008