superyacht racing association

Published on March 5th, 2024 | by Editor

New leadership for superyacht racing

Published on March 5th, 2024 by Editor -->

Shirley Robertson

The Super Yacht Racing Association (SYRA) has appointed Shirley Robertson as the new Manager of the organization for 100+ foot yachts. Robertson OBE made history by becoming the first British woman to win Olympic Gold Medals at consecutive Olympic Games and has become one of the most recognizable faces in the sport of sailing.

“We are delighted to have Shirley assume the role of Manager of the SYRA, taking the lead of an organization that is essential to superyacht racing,” said SYRA Chairperson Kate Branagh.

“The last decade saw many crucial areas addressed to enhance safe sailing and fair racing in this unique segment of sailboat racing. The SYRA’s priorities have shifted in recent years to fleet building, achieving more broad-based participation and expanding membership in the association, areas that Shirley will excel in.”

For fifteen years Robertson was the face of sailing as the host of CNN International’s flagship sports series CNN Mainsail, she has been the BBC’s lead anchor from four Olympic Games sailing venues, and has presented coverage from multiple regattas at the very pinnacle of yacht racing, the America’s Cup.

In addition, Robertson also hosts the long running Shirley Robertson’s Sailing Podcast, a monthly podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport of sailing.

Most recently on the water, Robertson has been managing a two-boat 6m campaign, but also spent two seasons competing on the doublehanded offshore circuit. Her sailing career has also seen over fifteen years of racing on the superyacht circuit, taking in some of the sport’s most prestigious regattas.

“Yacht racing is a life long passion of mine, and the superyacht series has been one of our sport’s shining lights for some time,” noted Robertson. “My relationship with racing superyachts goes back to my time racing with the SYRA founders Ed Dubois and Barry Houghton and it’s wonderful to now be carrying on their original vision.

“Expanding on the excellent work already done by the team at the SYRA while helping grow our membership at this exciting time in our sport is something I am really looking forward to.”

Robertson will take up this part-time role with immediate effect to advance and grow superyacht racing. Representing the collective voice for racing superyachts, regatta organizers and the industry, she will draw on her talents as a communicator as well as her experiences in team building and hosting conferences and exhibitions.

Details: https://superyra.org/

Tags: Shirley Robertson , superyacht , SuperYacht Racing Association

Related Posts

Sitting down with 37th America’s Cup →

Sitting down with murray jones →, sitting down with pete goss →, sitting down with brian thompson →.

© 2024 Scuttlebutt Sailing News. Inbox Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. made by VSSL Agency .

• Privacy Statement
• Advertise With Us

Get Your Sailing News Fix!

Your download by email.

• Your Name...
• Your Email... *
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

New leadership for the Superyacht Racing Association

Written by Roxanne Hughes

Industry Insider

Photo by Michael Kurtz

Established in 2011 to improve safety and implement fairer rules for the racing of sailing superyachts, the Superyacht Racing Association (SYRA) has made a remarkable impact to date and has big plans for the future. 

Now under the management of double-Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson OBE, alongside a team of committee members that reads like a who’s who of the sailing superyacht sector, we took the opportunity to catch up with Shirley at this year’s St Barths Bucket where she made her management debut and SYRA held its annual meeting. 

What is SYRA, and why was it established?  

SYRA works in the interests of the yacht owners and the industry to ensure fair racing and, as a priority, help ensure safe racing. At the time of SYRA’s incorporation, superyacht racing was growing in popularity and an increasing number of very large yachts were taking to the racetrack. The need to reduce any safety issues became paramount. New rules were written to keep the boats further apart, and significant improvements made to the ratings (so different boats could race against each other) on a more level playing field.   

What have been some of SYRA’s key achievements so far?  

SYRA has worked closely with sailors, captains, owners, the industry, and event organisers to ensure a high level of consistency and quality in the racing wherever in the world it’s taking place. It was under SYRA’s direction that the 40-metre rule was established (preventing yachts from coming too close together) and the Corinthian class was also brought into play.

Which superyacht regattas are part of SYRA?  

Nearly all the superyacht racing events around the planet are sanctioned by SYRA, we collaborate with event organisers whenever they need advice or guidance. We realise it’s a massive investment in time and resources to take part in a regatta, and we want all the events to be of a high standard so owners return year on year.  

Why is SYRA so important?  

Although we are always improving and updating the details of racing, our main focus now is to work on the sustainability of superyacht racing, making sure the owners and captains remain passionate and excited about the events they compete in, and we are helping event organisers to move with the changing demands.   

In your experience partaking in superyacht regattas, how have you seen SYRA in action?  

I’ve raced in superyachts for 15 years, and the biggest change in that time is around safety. The boats now are better specced and maintained for racing, the crews are more experienced and aware of potential dangers. The rules work to protect both the yachts and the people onboard. In short, I’ve seen SYRA make superyacht racing way safer, the competition is better, and the standard is higher as a result.  

SYRA has the backing of many sailing yacht sector companies, and the AGM sees competitors sit side-by-side to discuss and collaborate on new initiatives. How important is that teamwork?   

SYRA has to represent everyone in the superyacht ecosystem, and we’re aware that it’s a delicate balance - it’s our job to keep owners loving it, to look after the welfare of the people taking part, and make sure all involved have a fun event. To achieve that requires everyone’s involvement and buy in, including of course the industry experts. The teamwork is essential, we need everyone’s voice.    

Does a yacht have to join SYRA in order to race at an event?  

We encourage any yacht that’s going to participate in a regatta to join SYRA, whether their racing ambition comes with competitive intention or its for more convivial fun in the Corinthian class. SYRA represents the owners’ interests and we communicate with them and their captain throughout the year so we’re aware of their entry plans. If a yacht is not a SYRA member or isn’t sure how many regattas they might join, they can pay a contribution when they enter their first race and take it from there.  

Tell us more about the Corinthian Class, how does that differ?  

Racing superyachts can appear intimidating to outsiders. The Corinthian class is a slightly more chilled option, requiring less crew and no spinnakers, but still all the fun! It’s a perfect option for anyone new to superyacht racing to dip their toe into it all.    

How does SYRA operate, who’s on the various committees and what are their responsibilities?  

I am the manager of SYRA but our committees are crammed with experts in their respective fields – experienced sailors, owners representatives, industry professionals, naval architects – those people who are at the sharp end of everything to do with sailing superyachts and, of course, all the event organisers are deeply involved. We regularly review if we’re still providing safe and fair racing, that the racing continues to be meaningful, and if we’re getting all the input needed. Yachts are getting bigger and more technical, and we need to keep a close eye on any future issues.    

Wanting to attract as many owners as possible to regatta participation, do you think we’ll see other racing classes established at the main regattas, such as a foiling class or catamaran class?  

For sure the fleet will evolve - our overriding goal is to ensure safe, fair racing so we will see how it all moves on. If they means further class divisions then that’s what it means, the clever thing about SYRA is that it enables yachts of various designation to get round a racecourse together – the J’s alongside the latest high-performance modern sloops, historic classics and even dyna rigs.    

Taking over from Peter Craig as the Association’s manager, what are your ambitions for the coming year?  

Peter knows superyacht racing inside out - he has been involved since the inception of SYRA, he leads his team at the Bucket and is the primary race officer on the superyacht scene – it’s very big shoes to fill! This year I want to get up to speed with it all, to really listen to everyone who’s invested in making it all work and see how to move forward together. What does the modern-day superyacht owner want, and how can we pique the interest of new owners? Let’s find out!  

What do you think the greatest challenges will be?  

Owning a sailing superyacht is a fantastic thing but owners are both time starved and also very ambitious with their boats - wanting to explore further afield and not be tied to the timing of our regattas. We need sympathetic scheduling of the big events, making sure they are not too time hungry is crucial. Communication is key!

Having just been appointed, you were immediately brought into action at the St Barth’s Bucket in March. How did that go?  

I’ve raced in the Bucket many times, and taking the world’s biggest and most beautiful yachts around this astonishing island is a privilege. I’m delighted to be back this year and have been determined to really listen to everyone’s views. This event is our ‘big one’, the World Championships, it’s essential to be here.  

What’s your advice to superyacht owners thinking about participating in a regatta for the first time?  

Get in touch! If you are unsure about anything we can help. I know it can look like a lot but we can help guide you. Also, come for the first year and sail in the Corinthian class, less people, less hassle, and they can get a great feel of what it’s all about. But I warn you, it’s addictive! Being on the boat, often one that an owner has been integral to the design process for and seeing it sailed to its fullpotential, developing a team around you and potentially winning – is all quite fun.

How can owners and captains get involved with SYRA?  

Contact me – I’m here to help, and please join the Association! The more members we have, the more we can do to move the sport forward.

‘Special One’ is ready to set sail

Your advert in The Islander Magazine?

JOIN OUR EVENT LIST and receive your invitation to our events

Sign up newsletter

Stay up to date with the world of luxury yachting industry and lifestyle.

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

New leadership for the Super Yacht Racing Association

Related Articles

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

BOAT International partners with the Barcelona Superyacht Regatta at the 37th America's Cup

We are delighted to announce our partnership with the much-anticipated Barcelona Superyacht Regatta, taking place alongside the 37th America’s Cup from 4-6 October 2024.

Organised by the Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona (RCNB) and BWA Yachting, the legendary race is affiliated with, and sanctioned by, the SuperYacht Racing Association (SYRA). The Superyacht Regatta is set against the historic backdrop of Barcelona and will feature some of the world’s most majestic yachts racing on the crystal Mediterranean waters.

The event is open to invited cruising yachts whose length is 27 metres or greater. The 2024 regatta will also offer a Corinthian Spirit class, and two racing classes: a 30-metre (100-foot) A Class and a 27-metre (90-foot) B Class.

While 2021’s event in New Zealand was beset by Covid restrictions preventing a number of superyachts from entering the country's waters, this year’s America’s Cup and associated events are set to return to its former glory. 

An impressive number of yachts have already registered, including the 39-metre Halekai , 36-metre   Gitana , 44-metre Esense , 28-metre Nefertiti , 29-metre Patea , 25-metre Dark Horse , 35-metre Jasi and the 30-metre V . 

The deadline for entries closes 15 September.

As part of the Barcelona Superyacht Regatta programme, yacht owners – as well as guests, captains and crew – will be able to enjoy the following: daily access to the RCNB village during the regatta period; social events with drinks and tapas; a prize-giving ceremony and a Barcelona Superyacht Regatta Gala.

The Barcelona Superyacht Regatta is part of the Premier Regatta series which includes the world-famous Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona race featuring some of the world's most classic 12-metres (4-7 September); the Maxi Regatta (25 – 29 September) and the iconic 'Golden Era' J Class championship, returning to the cup this year (7-11 October). It is hosted by event organisers America's Cup's Events (ACE) and RCNB.

Speaking about the Premier Regatta Series, Grant Dalton CEO of ACE, commented: “Huge thanks go to our Host venue Yacht Club Partner, the Real Club Naútico Barcelona, who have the vision and expertise to handle these great, classic events that will truly enhance the on-water and shoreside spectacle of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup."

He continued: "Attracting the J Class and 12 Metres brings the America’s Cup history to life whilst the classic yachts, Maxis, and Superyachts all bristle with the very finest in technology and design. Barcelona will be a sensational festival of yachting in all its forms this summer and we look forward to welcoming everyone to this incredible venue for both the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup and the Premier Regatta Series.”

BWA Yachting can be contacted for berthing requests and bookings.

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More stories

Most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

Hawaii Yacht Racing Association

Our mission is to promote offshore ya cht racing and class racing in hawaii., hawaii yacht racing association (hyra) is the coordinating body for the majority of yacht racing events conducted in hawaii. we c oordinate hawaii's yearly yacht racing calendar for all member clubs encompassing all adult, junior, women, and national events. hyra is the parent organization of hawaii youth sailing association (hysa )., general oversight of the organization and conduct of yacht racing is supported via race management and racing rules clinics, and through ussa certified judges., all hyra member yacht and sailing clubs are under the us sailing association (ussa) umbrella. this membership gives hawaii clubs and their members access to ussa benefits, boat insurance and discounts. through hyra’s membership in ussa, hawaii is recognized as regional “area h.”, live calendar spreadsheet.

    Up Coming Events on Regatta Network  

HYRA Would Like to Hear From YOU!

Take   survey here   (expanded version).

Stay informed, join the HYRA Mailing List  

( this link may also be used to update your information )

• Regatta 2025
• Regatta 2024
• NEW – Match Racing Resources
• Boat of the Year
• Regatta Results
• Junior Regatta
• Past Presidents
• Winning Boats

The Commodore World Cup

Original Deed of Gift from 1936: Messrs. C. Q. and M. Ellis of Toronto, in the year 1936, donated a silver cup to be known as "The Commodore World Trophy." in commemoration of the work Commodore World has performed for yachting on Lake Ontario:...

LYRA 2022 Sodus Bay Yacht Club

Melges 15s coming in hot for the finish line

LYRA 2016 at Whitby Yacht Club

Big boat racing

John T. Mott Memorial Trophy

Course Racing PHRF-LO First Div 1 FS Corrected Original Deed of Gift from 1936: This trophy has been made possible by popular general subscriptions of the yachtsmen of Lake Ontario to commemorate one of the oldest and best known yachtsmen on th...

LYRA 2006 Sodus Bay YC

Spirted racing out on the lake.

LYRA is about history

Photo of trophy winners from early 1950s. Many of these trophies are still being awarded 70 years later.

Left Column Heading

Left Column Description

Right Column Heading

Right Column Description

Prada’s Space-Age Bid for the Most Elusive Sporting Trophy in History

In pursuit of the America’s Cup, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team is taking sailing out of the water—literally.

Only four countries have ever won sailing’s America’s Cup, the longest-running sporting competition in history. For more than 120 years, in fact, there were only two contenders—America and the United Kingdom—racing on average every four or five years. But the UK never won; it lost the very first race to the New York Yacht Club’s schooner the America in 1851. Sailing has come far since then.

For Patrizio Bertelli, Prada Group Chairman and himself a passionate sailor, it’s been a long road since the first Luna Rossa race team was announced in 1997. Five campaigns to challenge for the cup have seen Prada race off against the holders twice, most recently in 2021. But like the Brits, they have never won the “Auld Mug,” as the trophy is known. Now in his sixth campaign, Bertelli’s determination is undimmed.

“It’s the difficulty of winning it that makes the America’s Cup so fascinating,” he says. “It’s unique—a difficult, complex challenge. It involves building a group of highly specialized people coming from different fields, people capable of working together harmoniously for months with very intense rhythms. It’s a difficult mechanism to set up, but even more difficult to manage. It takes perseverance, determination. You can’t give up; you must keep trying.”

For almost all of its history, the America’s Cup was, by its nature, closed off to the greater public. Races were generally held a good way from shore and were stately in pace, though not without their occasional upsets. But in 2012, everything changed with the debut of foiling. Foiling is the use of advanced physics to allow keelless sailboats to fly on carbon-fiber foils above the waves. How’s that? Think of a sailboat as a vertical airplane wing. Wind over the sail creates thrust. But the water creates drag. Lots of drag. The foils, however (space-age hydraulically powered legs cocked alternately depending on the angle to the wind), create enough lift to raise the entire hull out of the water, reducing drag to a minimum. Speeds, of course, rise exponentially—if you can keep it up on the foils, that is. It’s a knife-edge balancing act that makes for very, very good TV.

“In Barcelona, as in the last edition of Auckland, with only the rudder and the side foils in the water, these flying boats are capable of sailing at more than fifty knots,” says Bertelli. “There are no more sail changes, the crew is composed of eight people, the races don’t last more than forty-five minutes, the tactics and strategy are transformed. A whole different world, but that’s the America’s Cup, the most advanced expression of this sport.”

For Max Sirena—a veteran Luna Rossa skipper who has raced in five previous Prada campaigns and is team director and skipper of this, his sixth—the process of harmonizing high-tech equipment with a human crew is a long and delicate process. “The boat is so complex and fragile at the same time,” he explains, “so you need to learn how to use it at its best. In terms of control, we are more advanced than with the last generation of boat. There is way more technology applied to the performance of the boat. We have a better idea on how best to use the boat. The biggest challenge is us. The main thing is to be prepared. The strength of the team really comes out during the down moments. When you win, it’s easy. I spend a lot of time to ensure the team remains strong when things aren’t going our way.”

Space age and transformative for sailing though foiling is, that didn’t prevent Miuccia Prada from following storied nautical tradition back in April and smashing a bottle of bubbly over the bows of the latest Luna Rossa AC75 boat—in this case, using Cantine Ferrari’s Maximum Blanc de Blancs. For fans of the famous Linea Rossa, the red stripe that has graced Prada sportswear since the first America’s Cup campaign, a small collection of technical gear as worn by the team on the water is available online now . This is no mere merch opportunity, however. In partnership with Woolmark, a body set up to protect and promote the use of fine-quality wool, the clothing is made using merino wool. It’s not perhaps the first thing you would associate with such a high-tech sport. But mindful of sustainability, Prada joined with Woolmark to exploit the natural breathability and performance capabilities of merino for wind- and waterproof sailing gear and jersey training clothes that look every bit as good on the street.

Back on the water, currently the America’s Cup boats are nudging fifty-five knots (or more than sixty mph) on a good day, though most sailors will tell you that it’s consistency, not top speeds, that wins races. Sailing at this level is increasingly likened to Formula 1 on water. And the fast new physics of foiling has coincided with huge advances in the media technology to cover it, a move that is bringing new interest from global audiences and luxury brands as sponsors, not least Louis Vuitton, which sponsored the qualifying round robins from the early 1990s until 2017. This year, after a brief hiatus, it’s back and this time it’s sponsoring the America’s Cup itself, too.

“I believe that today, thanks also to Luna Rossa and its six challenges, the fame and the draw of the America’s Cup have increased greatly, and holding it in Europe is certainly an added value,” says Bertelli. “This is why more and more luxury brands identify with it.”

Race days at Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli’s base, in the harbor of Barcelona, are a family thing. Support staff, friends, and kids gather en masse on the dock’s edge, decked out in the team’s iconic silver-gray gear, waving giant Italian flags and singing along with the Italian pop blasting out of the speakers as the team makes final preparations to Luna Rossa before slipping the lines and heading out to the waters of Barceloneta. While all the teams have their fan base, none, it seems, are louder or more emotional than Luna Rossa’s. You’d be forgiven for thinking this is an Italian-only affair. But while national pride is certainly at stake, building a viable team means drawing on expertise from all over the globe.

“We have nineteen nationalities amongst us,” says Bertelli. “It is unthinkable today to want to form a group with so many specializations and with such a high-level drawing only from a single country. In the regatta, however, they are all Italians except James Spithill, who is in his fourth campaign with Luna Rossa and therefore is truly one of us.” “Jiiimmmeee,” as the mainly Italian crowd hails the Australian co-helmsman of Luna Rossa, is as much of an Italian hero as Francesco “Cecco” Bruni, his Palermo-born counterpart.

In the Louis Vuitton Cup’s fleet races, held from late August, Luna Rossa soared out to a commanding lead on points before a late rally from veteran sailor Sir Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Britannia pipped them. But still, they were through to the semis, which began over the weekend. If, as it appears, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and INEOS Britannia face off in the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup, it will be a nail-biter. As we go to press, after today’s racing, the standings are 4–1 for both in their respective semis—the UK against Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli against American Magic Team USA. Each front-runner has to win only one more race to go through to the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup in late September. The semifinals continue Wednesday. And each has ample reason to hope for a win.

For more info and how to view, go to americascup.com .

Nick Sullivan is Creative Director at Esquire, where he served as Fashion Director from 2004 until 2019. Prior to that, he relocated from London with his young family to Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. He has styled and art directed countless fashion and cover stories for both Esquire and Big Black Book ( which he helped found in 2006) in exotic,uncomfortable, and occasionally unfeasibly cold locations. He also writes extensively about men’s style, accessories, and watches. He describes his style as elegantly disheveled.

Three of the Wildest College Football Upsets Ever

Korey Stringer was the NFL's Enlightened Man

Deion Sanders: Before He Was Coach Prime

Vince Lombardi: Pro Football’s Toughest Coach

Here's How to Watch Sunday Night Football

The High-Adrenaline Racing of SailGP

Tom Schaar Is (Still) Flying High

The Slow Death of the Starting Pitcher

Are Judge and Soto the Best Hitting Duo Ever?

Tom Cruise(d) Into the Olympics Closing Ceremony

Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton on Winning Again

Olympic Scandals You Totally Forgot About

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Arkhangelsk

• Arkhangelsk Tourism
• Arkhangelsk Itineraries
• Arkhangelsk Hotels

Top Tourist Attractions in Arkhangelsk

• Arkhangelsk Oblast
• Arkhangelsk
• Things To Do In Arkhangelsk

Best Things To Do in Arkhangelsk, Russia

Have you ever visited a new place and felt ‘wow’ about it? For many visitors, it happens at Arkhangelsk.

Arkhangelsk may not be as popular as other cities in Russia, but don’t let that fool you. Arkhangelsk is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at Arkhangelsk.

If you have plans to visit Russia and are not sure if Arkhangelsk should be included in your itinerary, keep reading. In this list, we have put together some of the things to do in Arkhangelsk and around. We have a hunch that if you include this city in your travel plans, you will be thrilled you did so.

Tourist Attractions in Arkhangelsk

Here is the list of things to do in Arkhangelsk and tourist attractions in city.

Talagi Airport

Address: Talagi Airport ul. Aeroporta, 1 Arkhangelsk, 163045 Russia

• Things to do in Severodvinsk
• Things to do in Arkhangelskaya Ulitsa
• Things to do in Novodvinsk
• What to do in Arkhangelsk in 1 day
• What to do in Arkhangelsk in 2 days

SUPERYACHT RACING ASSOCIATION

Racing Rules

The mission of the Superyacht Racing Rules Committee is to address all issues pertaining to the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and superyacht racing. The committee’s actions will include evaluating the RRS Appendix SY (the RRS appendix for superyacht racing) and recommending changes or additions when deemed in the best interest of safe and fair racing. Learn more

Safe Racing Meeting

Sailboat racing is meant to be a self-policing sport. Lately that concept has come under pressure in conventional racing for a number of different reasons, including fewer competitors being willing to protest.

In superyacht racing, abiding by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and Appendix SY is critical to safe racing, and safe racing is essential if this niche part of the sport is to thrive and grow. Learn more

Superyacht Racing Rules

The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2021 – 2024, Version 7.0, May 2021 This booklet is a useful tool when preparing to race in regattas where Appendix SY applies. It is a companion, not a replacement, for the full Racing Rules of Sailing and includes some study cases specific to Appendix SY Download Superyacht Racing Rules Version 7.0 here .

RRS Appendix SY – Continuous Improvement

Over seven years ago and with the approval of World Sailing, the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) Appendix SY made its debut at the 2011 St Barths Bucket. At that time, there was apprehension on how the 40 metre addition to keeping clear or giving room, and the restrictive overtaking provisions would work on the race course.

Fortunately for superyacht racing, the fundamentals of Appendix SY have stood the test of time. In subsequent years, there have been a number of minor changes and improvements made to the appendix. Review and refinements to the Superyacht rules continue. Learn more

Big Boats, Big Tactics

With high tonnage, there are long-game tactics to consider, but in high-stakes, high-ego superyacht racing, it’s never as simple as it appears. Read more here . By Tony Rey – December 30, 2016 SAILING WORLD

Reports and Documents

Additional information on the Rules of Superyacht Racing: •  Appendix SY •  Case Studies •  ISAF Approvals (2011/2012) •  Information on Rule Compliance and Enforcement

Rule 55 Update

Date:            22 September 2014 From:          The Superyacht Racing Association To:                 All SYRA Members Subject:       Rule 55 (Trash Disposal)

The purpose of this memorandum is to update those involved in superyacht racing with regard to the very latest information on the issue of banding spinnakers and other sails.  Superyacht event organizers were put in a difficult position when ISAF created and implemented RRS 55 (background information provided below).

Beginning with the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in Virgin Gorda (March 2015), superyachts should be prepared to race without ‘banding’ sails – with elastic, wool or any other material.  Sailmakers are aware of Rule 55 and have been working on alternatives to banding (socks, zippers, Velcro, etc.) for some time now.  The SYRA and event organizers are intent on “doing the right thing” for the environment and want to avoid a potential last minute directive that may leave competitors with no banding alternative.

By way of this communication, we are relaying the intent of the organizers of the YCCS regattas, Bucket Regattas and Superyacht Cup Palma to adhere to Rule 55 in their 2015 regattas. This provides an additional six months for sailmakers and racing programs to prepare for the two March events. For the Antigua Superyacht Cup Regatta, the time frame leading up to that event is significantly shorter and hence the organizer is considering alternatives for their 2015 event.

Feel free to contact us and/or any of the organizers directly with any questions or concerns you may have.

Among the changes to the 2013-2016 edition of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) is the addition of a new Basic Principle, “Environmental Responsibility” which reads, “Participants are encouraged to minimize any adverse environmental impact of the sport of sailing.”  This is supported by new RRS 55 (Trash Disposal), “A competitor shall not intentionally put trash in the water.”

In August 2013 ISAF issued Q&A 2013-029 (revised 15 January 2014) which can be read in its entirety here:  http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/QA2013.029N003revisedJanuary152014-[16193].pdf 

The Q&A suggests the use of snuffers or socks in lieu of “elastic or wool” to stop spinnakers, however if an organizing authority of an event considers it advisable for “reasons of safety or proper seamanship, and provided that no national or local law or regulation is broken” they may change rule 55 by stating in their sailing instructions “RRS 55 is changed by adding the following sentence to the rule: ’However, discarding elastic or wool bands when setting a sail may not be considered a breach of rule 55.’

Given the lack of notice, it was not uncommon to see this rule change in event documents for regattas with large yachts, and it has generally gone without much notice over the past year. However, at a recent major event, which used the language from the Q&A, the organizer received a directive from the local environmental authority that it would need to change the event’s documents and prohibit the use of banding or the organizer could be held responsible for violating local environmental laws.

Activities and Status

The latest version of Appendix SY is on the ISAF website .