Rabbit start Course

Starting Line

The starting line shall be ~300 m long and set for a close-hauled port tack, with a port flag at the port end and a starboard flag at the starboard end. The leeward mark may serve as the port flag.

Rabbit

One competitor is designated as the rabbit. Normally this is the sailor finishing 5th in the previous race. In the first race, the race committee may select the 5th-placed sailor from a previous regatta or another suitable competitor.

Start

A flag shall be raised 1 minute before the start and lowered at the start, upon which the rabbit begins sailing.
The race starts when the rabbit passes the port flag.

Rabbit Procedure

The rabbit shall sail close-hauled on port tack, passing to leeward of the port flag, having reached normal upwind speed beforehand. The rabbit shall tow a clearly visible 10 m tail/ line, released after passing the starboard flag. Shortly thereafter, the rabbit shall tack to starboard.

Until the tail is dropped and the rabbit has tacked, the rabbit and its tail have right of way. If the tail is cut, the detached part is not a course mark. If the rabbit falls or a collision occurs, the start is abandoned. Interference with the rabbit or its tail is penalized.

Other Competitors

All other competitors shall start on starboard tack, passing between the port flag and the rabbit’s tail.