How does a sailing race start?
B · Beginner · The start and running a race · 4 of 5A race starts with a five-minute countdown of flags and sounds, the starting sequence. The class flag goes up at five minutes, a preparatory flag at four, the preparatory flag comes down at one minute with a long sound, and the class flag comes down at zero. Times are taken from the flags.
How it works
| Minutes before the start | Flag | Sound | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Class flag displayed | One | Warning signal |
| 4 | P, I, Z, Z with I, U or black flag displayed | One | Preparatory signal |
| 1 | Preparatory flag removed | One long | One minute |
| 0 | Class flag removed | One | Starting signal |
- The flags rule: "Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded."
- Five minutes can change: the notice of race or sailing instructions may state another time for the warning signal.
- Which preparatory flag: P is the plain one. The others bring in a starting penalty for boats that are over the line early.
- Several classes: the warning signal for the next class is made with or after the starting signal of the class before.
- Before the start: the race committee signals the course no later than the warning signal and may move a starting mark no later than the preparatory signal.
- From four minutes: boats are racing, and must be afloat and off their moorings.
Tricky cases
The horn did not sound at the start. Is the start void?
No. Times are taken from the visual signals and a missing sound signal is disregarded.
Is the countdown always five minutes?
No. Five minutes is the standard, and the notice of race or sailing instructions may state something else.
Can the race be called off during the countdown?
Yes. Before the starting signal the race committee may postpone or abandon the race for any reason.
Why the rule exists
Boats cannot wait on a line, so every crew has to time a moving approach to cross at full speed at the signal. A fixed countdown that all can see gives them the same clock. Flags outrank sounds because sound takes time to travel across the water and can be lost in the wind. That reason is general knowledge. The rule gives only the order of priority.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Racing Rules of Sailing | As above | RRS 26; RRS 27 |
| Each event | The timing of the warning signal may be changed | RRS 26 (note to the table) |
| Match racing, team racing, radio sailing | Own starting rules in Appendices C, D and E. Not read | RRS Introduction |
From the rule book
World Sailing The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, rules 26, 27 and 45 and Race Signals. In force from 1 January 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028 (PDF).