Abandon

To abandon a race means to stop racing prior to a yacht having sailed the course.

Boundary

The line that marks the limits of the racing area.

Capsize

A yacht is capsized when her wing is in the water.

Finish

A yacht finishes when any part of her hulls cross the finishing line from the course side after completing any penalties.

Foil

A sailboat with wing-like foils mounted under the hull. As the craft increases its speed the hydrofoils lift the hull up and out of the water, greatly reducing wetted area, resulting in decreased drag and increased speed. A sailing hydrofoil can achieve speeds exceeding twice the wind speed.

Grinder

A crew member whose duties include operating manual winches (called “coffee grinders”) that raise and trim the sails and move the boom. It is a physically demanding role with a significant impact on a racing yacht’s overall performance.

Leeward and Windward

A yacht’s leeward side is the side that is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. The other side is her windward side. When two yachts on the same tack overlap, the yacht with any part of either hull on the leeward side of the other’s leeward hull is the leeward yacht. The other is the windward yacht.

Mark

An object the sailing instructions require a yacht to leave on a specified side, and a race management vessel surrounded by navigable water from which the starting or finishing line extends. An anchor line or an object attached accidentally
to a mark is not part of it.

Obstruction

An object that a yacht could not pass without changing course substantially, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her hull lengths from it.

One-Design Boat

Boat designed to the same set of rules and built from the same yard.

Port

The nautical term for the side of a boat that is on the left when one is facing forward.

Protest

An allegation made under rule 61.2 by a yacht, the Regatta Director or the Jury that a yacht has broken a rule.

Room

The space a yacht needs in the existing conditions, including space to comply with her obligations under the rules of Part 2, while maneuvering promptly in a seamanlike way.

Starboard

The nautical term for the side of a boat that is on the right when one is facing forward.

Tack, Starboard or Port

A yacht is on the tack, starboard or port, corresponding to her windward side.

Terminate

To terminate a race means to stop a race after one or more yachts have sailed the course or, if in a Match Race, a yacht has been disqualified.

Trampoline

The mesh installed between the hulls.

Trim

To pull the sails in.

Windward

The direction in which the wind is currently blowing. Windward is the opposite of leeward (the opposite direction of the wind).

Zone

The area around marks and obstructions within a distance of three hull lengths and from the boundary within a distance of four hull lengths. A yacht is in the zone when any part of her hulls are in the zone.