Race flags

The flags the start boat flies on race day, and what each one tells you. Where several flags fly together, they are shown top to bottom as they hang.

The class flag is the 18 flag, for the 18-footers.

Which signal is flying?

• Racing abandoned for the day
• Race delayed
• ↓ being lowered Race resumed
• Change to the sailing instructions
• Course changed
• Shortened course
• Individual recall
• General recall

Racing stopped or put off

1. 

   Racing abandoned for the day

   Flags: N over A over the class flag

2. 

   Race delayed

   Flags: AP over the class flag

   Horn 2 horns when raised

3. ↓ being lowered

   Race resumed

   Flags: AP lowered, the class flag stays up

   Horn 1 horn

   The race sequence resumes in 1 minute.

Changes to the race

1. 

   Change to the sailing instructions

   Flags: Code flag L

2. 

   Course changed

   Flags: C

3. 

   Shortened course

   Flags: S

Recalls at the start

1. 

   Individual recall

   Flags: X

2. 

   General recall

   Flags: First substitute

The start sequence for a scratch start has its own page: scratch start signals.