Section B
Qualities and Skills of an International Judge
B.1
Ethical Behavior
World Sailing International Judges are among the most exposed officials of the sport. It is therefore essential that judges behave with the highest degree of competence, propriety, and integrity. A judge should never do anything that may bring the sport into disrepute.

Specifically, International Judges are expected to:
  • maintain a high level of understanding and application of the racing rules, cases, procedures, and World Sailing policies;
  • ensure that each decision is based upon the rules and principles of fairness and objectivity, is made with care, and without prejudice;
  • uphold the confidentiality of protest committee deliberations during and after the regatta;
  • be polite, courteous, open-minded, and patient with colleagues, competitors, regatta officials, team officials, coaches, support persons and hosts;
  • to respect cultural differences in colleagues, competitors, regatta officials, team officials, coaches, support persons and hosts;
  • declare any conflict of interest before accepting a protest committee invitation, and thereafter, declare any change of circumstance that might become a new conflict of interest. (See World Sailing Regulation 34 – Conflict of Interest);
  • plan to arrive at the event on time and remain until after the last protest issues are resolved;
  • incur only expenses that are necessary, and when expenses are reimbursed, claim only legitimate and essential out-of-pocket costs, unless any other arrangement has been agreed with the organizing authority;
  • be on time and wear appropriate clothing on the water and ashore;
  • refrain from smoking in the protest committee room, other buildings and areas on the regatta site where smoking is prohibited and while judging on the water;
  • abstain from consuming alcohol before or during a hearing and while afloat. Even if a meal is eaten before the hearings alcohol must be avoided. Judges must never become inebriated during an event.

A judge who does not practice this code of behavior risks the termination of his or her appointment.
B.2
Conflict of Interest
In the context of race officials serving at a event, a conflict of interest exists as stated in Definition “Conflict of Interest” in rules.

World Sailing has published documents that Race Officials should consult to determine if they have a conflict of interest with regard to serving at a regatta. They are available on the World Sailing website (search “conflict of interest”, click submit, and select “Documents”).
B.3
Fitness to Serve
International Judges are expected to provide the services that are needed at the type of event where they serve. Before accepting an invitation, it is your responsibility to understand the requirements of the event and your ability to perform the necessary functions. There is a range of activities expected of a judge, not all of which are necessary at each event. Here are the necessary skills for each function at the event:

Hearings
  • Reading, writing and speaking with the appropriate terms, typically in English;
  • adequate vision and hearing, aided if necessary; 
  • strong reasoning ability and memory skills for the analysis of rules as they apply to situations;
  • confidence in making decisions
  • assessing and writing both facts and decisions for protests and requests for redress;
  • writing allegation and decisions for RRS 69 hearings

Going afloat
  • operating small powerboats while considering the safety
    of the colleague on board
  • mobility necessary to transfer from dock to boat and from boat to boat without losing one’s balance
  • coping with seasickness, if it occurs
  • ability to maintain one’s balance afloat
  • boat positioning to observe racing without interfering, considering the sailing characteristics of the class of boats
  • use of appropriate communication protocol on VHF (often a license is required) and private-channel radios
  • physical fitness to spend long days afloat in any conditions
  • physical fitness to rescue partner from overboard
  • concentration to follow the race and record any issue that might affect the race or result in a hearing

Judging RRS 42 under Appendix P
  • see above “Going afloat”
  • a thorough understanding of RRS 42, class-specific common kinetics, and the procedures for Appendix P
  • knowledge of class-specific changes to RRS 42
  • boat positioning for judging kinetics while minimizing the inconvenience to boats racing
  • ability to provide a firm but friendly explanation of a penalty to the sailor, without argument

Going Afloat with Fast Fleets
  • see above “Going afloat”
  • ability to withstand fast trips throughout the course, in any conditions
  • continuous attention for fast-approaching boats and boats that could gybe or tack onto a collision course with you

Windsurfers/Kiteboards
  • see above “Going afloat”
  • knowledge of rule changes in relevant Appendix (B/F)
  • knowledge of specialized routes for driving the course

Oceanic / Long-distance Races
  • thorough understanding of IRPCAS and WS offshore Special Regulations
  • knowledge of navigation calculations, tracking systems, etc.
  • knowledge of modified protest procedures
  • knowledge of discretionary penalty system (time, stop, stay)

Direct Judging and Umpiring
  • see above “Going afloat”
  • a thorough understanding of the fleet umpiring rules and procedures that are in effect
  • boat positioning for umpiring medal races and for direct judging of fleet racing;
  • making rapid decisions on breaches of Part 2 of the Racing Rules of Sailing;
  • requirements for judging RRS  42 under Appendix P, if appropriate

Umpiring radio controlled boats
  • a thorough understanding of Appendix E and its procedures;
  • making rapid decisions on breaches of Part 2 of the Racing Rules of Sailing;
  • physical fitness necessary to stand and move along the pier for long days of competition;
  • spending long days outdoors in any conditions

Judges must assess their own competencies realistically when deciding if they can comply with all the requirements necessary to serve at an event. Accepting an invitation to an event when they cannot serve properly will affect the rest of the protest committee and, eventually, the competitors. The self-assessment table below helps judges evaluate their abilities relevant to requirements of different kinds of events:

World-Sailing-Judges-Manual-2025-pdf-09-07-2025_08_17_PM.png 43.5 KB


As one’s capabilities might change over time, the type of event that one is suited to judge may change as well. This means that the type of event that you could judge might change over the 
course of your career. Therefore:

  • if you have temporary or permanent physical or cognitive limitations, do not accept the invitation if you cannot fulfill the required protest committee functions;
  • if you have special needs that require accommodating, inform the protest committee chair or the representative of the organizing authority who takes care of officials prior to accepting the invitation;
  • if your accommodation is in a private home, inform the organizers if you have allergies to any tobacco smoke, etc. or if you have mobility restrictions;
  • if you have dietary restrictions, inform the organizers before your arrival.
B.4
Allegation of Inadequate Conduct or Competence
World Sailing Regulation, Race Official Performance provides for reports alleging inadequate conduct or competence of a World Sailing Race Official to be submitted in accordance with procedures set out in Policy. Reports could also be made under the Code of Ethics. Reports could also be made under the Code of Ethics and the Safeguarding Policy Against Harassment and Abuse.
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