This post has been updated for the 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing.
You haven’t won the race if in winning the race you have lost the respect of your competitors.
Paul Elvstrøm
Sportsmanship in Sailing: Challenge and Opportunity
Sailing is a self-policing sport, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge? Sportsmanship becomes essential. If competitors don’t follow the rules, the game becomes frustrating for everyone. The opportunity? We get a unique chance to build a key life skill.
Growing Sportsmanship
You don’t become a “good sport” overnight. Pick out some key behaviors and try them out. Then add more. SailZing reviewed dozens of articles about sailing sportsmanship to come up with these 10 behaviors.
1. Know the Rules
You have to know the rules, and sailing has lots of them. Learn them in stages, starting with the basics and getting more advanced as you gain experience. Start with What is Fair Sailing?, then browse our Racing Rules articles.
2. Follow the Rules
When you race, you agree to follow the rules (see Rule 4, Acceptance of the Rules). You also agree to the fundamental principle of sportsmanship in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028: “when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated, she will promptly take an appropriate penalty or action, which may be to retire.”
Source: World Sailing, Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 (Study Version), Basic Principles. Read it online at racingrulesofsailing.org.
If you break a rule, don’t wait for another competitor to call you out. There are plenty of inspiring stories about sailors who took a penalty after breaking a rule that no one else noticed. They gained far more respect than the places they lost. Two examples: Peter Barrett at the 1964 Olympics, and Sam Rogers at the 2012 E Scow Blue Chip.
3. Enforce the Rules
You don’t have to go out on the water looking for people breaking rules. But when you see someone break a rule and not take their penalty, find a way to bring it to their attention. If they fouled you, you may end up protesting. If they fouled someone else, talk to them politely after the race.
4. Be Courteous
Thank the race committee, regatta organizers, your competitors, and the friends, family and coaches who helped get you to the starting line. This goes a long way toward a positive racing atmosphere.
5. Be Fair
Don’t use the rules like a zombie, automatically yelling “no room” or “starboard” in every encounter. Give others the benefit of the doubt. Apply the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
6. Be Honest
Honesty means recognizing the truth and dealing with it. If you messed up, admit it and learn from the mistake. Covering it up may work for the moment, but it does nothing for your long-term growth (or your conscience).
7. Communicate
Instead of getting mad at a competitor, communicate. You have a better chance of breaking down barriers and learning something. You might also make a new friend. Here’s a great story about that: Sportsmanship and Communication are Key – Reaching Ahead blog.
8. Move On
If you get fouled, don’t ruin your race by staying angry. Protest if needed. Then concentrate on finding the next puff or shift.
9. Help and Encourage Others
Helping and encouraging others is a win-win: your competitors appreciate you, and you feel good about yourself.
- Congratulate other sailors on good races
- Be positive with your crew
- Teach something you learned that might help someone else
- Work together while launching and pulling out
10. Be Prepared
If your boat is in good shape and you have all the equipment you need for racing, you’ll depend less on others. You’ll also be less frustrated about “unfair” situations (like a breakdown caused by poor maintenance). Less frustration means better sportsmanship!
Sportsmanship Articles
Here are some articles on how to become a better sport and build sportsmanship in your club.
- Win With Style. Lose With Style – Sailing Scuttlebutt. More insights into individual sportsmanship.
- Small Boat Sailing: Teaching Sportsmanship – US Sailing. Ideas for instructors.
