If you plan on doing ANY RACING, whether its scrub racing with a few buddies or World Cup. You must review the rules. I am always surprised that each time I pick up the NIA rulebook, I come away with a detail that is clarified that I did not quite understand before. Despite this, the NIA rules are VERY SIMPLE but have some very important differences from soft-water sailing.
I recommend reading the NIA rules (
http://www.iceboat.org/NIA-May-2004.pdf ) to all sailors. Its only 31 pages. BUT HERE IS THE BETTER NEWS: All you need to commit to memory are the terms on page 4, and the 9 Right of Way Rules on Page 10. Again, you should read all of this document, but for those with limited time-it is imperative that you commit the terms on page 4 and the ROW rules on page 10 before you line up on the starting line!
While reading through the rules, refer to the chart (
http://www.iceboat.org/elements/NEIYA_rules_no_club.jpg) to help clarify the situations in your head.
IF you have any questions, PLEASE ask. I would rather be asked before you are on the ice than after there is a problem.
-Kent
