Contrast counts: Make sail numbers seen

by Brendan Huffman, UK Sailmakers
Perhaps one of the more overlooked sections of the Racing Rules of Sailing is Appendix G1.2, which addresses the display of sail numbers.

With the increasing use of black sails on racecourses, race officers are finding it more challenging to identify boats’ sail numbers during pre-race check-ins, starts, and finishes—especially when the numbers are dark on dark sails.

Appendix G1.2 states:
“Sail numbers shall be… of a contrasting colour to the body of the sail… [and] shall be clearly legible when the sail is set.”

While grey or black sail numbers on black sails may look sleek, they are not permitted under the Racing Rules of Sailing. Many race committees are addressing this issue by issuing warnings to skippers. Some are beginning to impose discretionary penalties and adjusting scores. – Full report