The season has arrived! Join Rhode Island’s Frostbite Sailing Fleet 413 every Sunday, November through April, for thrilling winter racing.
Frostbite sailing is only for the bold…but there are rules to keep racers safe. To start, there’s a “20/20 rule” where racing is canceled if the temperature is below 20°F or wind is over 20 knots. Other rules include mandatory life jackets, adequate protective gear, and the use of sailing rules governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing. Sailors are also expected to help with rigging and be available for race committee duties.
Safety and conduct
Life jackets: All competitors must wear life jackets at all times while on the water, including for practice and racing.
Protective gear: Wear adequate gear like wetsuits or drysuits, hats, and neoprene gloves. You are responsible for knowing your own suitability to sail under the conditions.
Risk: Competitors sail at their own risk and are required to indemnify and hold harmless Sail Newport and Fleet 413.
Fleet boats: If using a fleet boat, you are responsible for any damage caused during sailing and must report missing or damaged parts immediately.
Racing rules and procedures
Weather cancellation: Racing is canceled if the temperature is below 20°F or wind exceeds 20 knots.
Race start: No race will start after 30 minutes before sundown. Everyone is required to be at Newport Yacht Club by 11:30 AM to help rig boats and act as race committee.
Course: Courses are sailed in the inner harbor and are announced verbally before each race. Failure to hear the course is not a reason for redress.
Starting line: The starting line is typically between the race committee boat and a starting mark, with starts signaled by automated systems.
Scoring: Each Sunday is a separate day of racing. The finish place on each day counts as a race in the season standings. A certain number of your worst finishes will be dropped at the end of the season.
Governing rules: All races are governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing, and these are the rules that are followed during competition.
Fleet-specific rules
Registration: You may need to register for the event, and it is recommended to contact the organizers in advance.
Dues: There are season dues to help cover costs like boat maintenance and gas for race committee boats. There may also be a separate fee for storing your boat at Sail Newport.
Post-sailing: The fleet encourages social gathering and sharing food and drinks after racing.
For specific event details, refer to the latest Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions documents available on the Laser Fleet 413 website: https://www.newportlaserfleet.org/
