Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

World Sailing approves urgent changes to the design requirement of storm sails

by World Sailing 11 Nov 2024 01:43 PST
World Sailing © World Sailing

Following recommendation from the Special Regulations Sub-Committee, the Oceanic and Offshore Committee unanimously approved changes to design requirements of storm sails, aiming to clarify the primary role as essential safety equipment.

Matt Allen, Chair of the Oceanic and Offshore Committee, said, "The use of staysails has increased and the use of storm and heavy weather sails as staysails has become common practice. This helps reduce the number of sails carried on board, but while a staysail increases performance it is not as effective in storms or heavy weather.

"Without a clear definition of the conditions for which storm and heavy weather sails should be designed and manufactured, it is possible for a boat to carry such sails that meet the wording of the current rules but that are not capable of fulfilling their role in storm or heavy weather conditions.

"Approval of this proposal defines the standard for storm sails to be designed and manufactured, ensuring that the equipment fulfils safety requirements first and foremost and keep sailors safe at sea."

The following urgent change, that is the addition of OSR 4.27.1 f) will be effective from 16 December 2024:

OSR 4.27.1 Design

a) the material of the body of a storm sail purchased after 2013 shall have a highly visible colour (e.g. dayglo pink, orange or yellow)
b) aromatic polyamides, carbon and similar fibres shall not be used in a trysail or storm jib, but HMPE and similar materials are permitted
c) sheeting positions on deck for each storm and heavy-weather sail
d) sheeting positions for the trysail independent of the boom, and
e) the maximum area of storm and heavy weather sails shall be lesser of the areas below or as specified by the boat designer or sailmaker.
f) the primary purpose of any storm sail or heavy weather sail shall be to provide propulsion and steerage in storm & heavy weather conditions, and they shall be designed, manufactured and maintained as such. Storm sails shall be designed to provide propulsion and steerage in Beaufort scale 8 and on all points of sail. Heavy weather sails shall be designed to provide propulsion and steerage in Beaufort scale 6 and on all points of sail.

The submission was approved as an urgent change as possible under regulation 30.1.2.

Related Articles

World Sailing congratulates new IOC President
Elected following today's vote in the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, World Sailing sends its warmest congratulations to new IOC President Kirsty Coventry. Posted on 20 Mar
34 nations now actively involved in Para Sailing
World Sailing publishes six-month progress report on Para Inclusive Strategy World Sailing has published a progress report on the World Sailing Para Inclusive Strategy 2024-2029, six months on from its launch with current participation data showing that 34 nations are now actively involved in international Para Sailing. Posted on 20 Mar
Tributes paid to World Sailing VP Line Markert
World Sailing is deeply shocked and saddened to report the death of Line Markert World Sailing is deeply shocked and saddened to report the death of Line Markert, World Sailing Vice President and our fellow sailor. Posted on 18 Mar
Steering the Course 2025
Strengthening commitment to #AccelerateAction for women in sailing In support of this year's International Women's Day, held annually on 8 March, the fifth edition of World Sailing's global women's sailing festival, Steering the Course, will reaffirm the federation's commitment to creating new pathways at all levels. Posted on 5 Mar
Gdynia to host 2025 Youth Match Racing Worlds
The championship will use the RS21 one-design racing keelboat World Sailing is pleased to announce that the Polish port city of Gdynia has been chosen to host the 2025 World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championships. Posted on 7 Feb
World Sailing approves Committee appointments
To provide guidance to World Sailing and positively impact the sport for sailors worldwide Members of World Sailing's Committees and Sub-Committees will work within their terms of reference to provide guidance to World Sailing and positively impact the sport for sailors worldwide. Posted on 24 Jan
Chicago to host Women's Match Racing Worlds
The September event will feature up to 12 teams World Sailing is delighted to announce that the 2025 Women's Match Racing World Championship will be held at the Chicago Yacht Club's Belmont Station from 16-20 September 2025. Posted on 15 Jan
World Sailing Inclusion Championships host bids
A groundbreaking event set to celebrate and showcase inclusivity in the sport of sailing World Sailing is thrilled to announce the launch of the first World Sailing Inclusion Championships, a groundbreaking event set to celebrate and showcase inclusivity in the sport of sailing with a focus on disability. Posted on 10 Jan
World Sailing publishes Accessibility Guide
To support inclusion at events and venues World Sailing has published its first Accessibility Guide to support and advise event organisers and venues in making proactive changes to encourage a fully inclusive sport at all levels. Posted on 16 Dec 2024
IOC President congratulates World Sailing
On contribution to the Olympic Movement IOC President Thomas Bach met with World Sailing President Quanhai Li and World Sailing CEO David Graham at Olympic House in Lausanne to congratulate the federation on a successful quadrennial and its excellent contribution to the Paris 2024 Olympics. Posted on 11 Dec 2024
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px-02 BOTTOMCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERVaikobi 2024 December