Organizational

Be a member in good standing of US SAILING.

Experience

1. Be, or have been, an active racing sailor for at least three complete racing seasons in a position requiring on-the-water application of the racing rules (as skipper, tactician, watch captain or navigator);

2. Be an active sailor (not necessarily an active racer);

3. *Be knowledgeable and experienced in the running of races and have performed in a major role on the water in at least three U.S. events during the last four years;

4. *Be an active member of protest committees. In the last four years,

   1. served on protest committees for at least three years and chaired at least three hearings at a regatta of significant importance to the region;

   2. served on juries in at least three events in the US at the interclub, regional or national level;

5. *Attended a US SAILING Judges Workshop (see note 1) (see schedule of upcoming workshops) within the past 4 years;

6. *Passed the US SAILING Judging Exam (see note 2) within the past 4 years;

7. Be highly recommended by three US SAILING members who are familiar with the protest committee and judging work of the candidate and are either experienced protest committee members or US SAILING Judges, at least one of whom shall be a US SAILING Senior Judge or a Canadian Yachting Association Gold Judge;

8. *Be willing to serve actively for a four-year term.

Consideration will be given to service on an association appeals committee.

Requirements marked with an asterisk (*) apply for re-certification as well as initial certification as a Judge.

Note 1: For re-certification only, attendance at an ISAF International Judges Workshop is an acceptable substitute for a seminar provided the attendee sends the Race Administration Director a copy of their letter from ISAF confirming their attendance. 

Note 2: For re-certification only, passing the ISAF International Judges Test is an acceptable substitute for the US SAILING Judging Exam provided the attendee sends the Race Administration Director a copy of their letter from ISAF confirming their passing score. 

Potential judges are encouraged to use the Sailing Officials Online Reporting System (SOARS) in order to log their judging activity.  Logging activity (either through SOARS or by paper-based annual reports) is a requirement for certified judges, but SOARS is available as a service for all US SAILING members.

Technical Attributes

Judge must have thorough knowledge and understanding of the current RRS, US SAILING Appeals Decisions and ISAF Cases and be able to use them appropriately.  This is demonstrated by skills such as being able to:

1. Interpret the RRS and other rules as they are written, not as you think they should be written or as it was intended that they be written;

2. Review a Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions so as to make constructive suggestions about them to a race committee and organizing authority;

3. Observe racing on the water and record critical events accurately; and

4. Hear protests according to RRS Part 5 and Appendix P.

Physical Attributes (where applicable)

1. Be able to see and hear well enough to perform the job;

2. Be capable of going on the water in small boats for extended periods in a variety of weather conditions;

3. Be able to operate small motor boats safely in proximity of racing sailboats; and

4. Have the stamina to work on the water during the day and then hear protests in the evening.

Personal Attributes

A US SAILING Judge must possess judicial temperament, a reputation for mature judgment and have an outstanding reputation for integrity.  This includes:

1. Be viewed by sailors and other judges as a person with judicial temperament (be honest, fair, act with integrity, respect the rights of others); 

2. View hearing protests as a service by sailors for sailors (not an exercise of power and control);

3. Be able to have a rational discussion with someone with whom you disagree;

4. Be considerate of other people (be aware of the needs of others and respectful of them);

5. Take good care of other people’s property (boats, equipment housing);

6. Accept the assignment of tasks willingly and cheerfully (don’t whine);

7. Not expect special privileges (duties, housing, meals, arrival and departure dates);

8. Understand that protest committee work comes before social obligations and before taking care of a partner who has attended the event as a guest;

9. Abstain from use of alcohol until protest committee duties are complete;

10. Refrain from use of medications which might impair judgment or alertness;

11. Honor commitments;

12. Be viewed by other protest committee members as contributing, cooperative, thoughtful (not as manipulative, divisive, elitist or insistent on getting one’s own way);

13. Maintain the confidentiality of the deliberations of the jury;

14. Act as a strong and effective leader (not either a dictator or weak manager);

15. Act with reason and thoroughness when solving problems;

16. Document actions; take responsibility for follow through;

17. Seek advice from more experienced people when that is appropriate;

18. Work cooperatively with the race committee and organizing authority;

19. Respond constructively to sailors and others under stress;

20. Admit mistakes graciously and in a timely manner;

21. Be able to act completely free of favor or discrimination towards any sailors; and

22. Be a good role model and mentor for those interested in becoming judges.

Equipment

1. Judges must own and maintain current versions of US SAILING publications: Racing Rules of Sailing, US SAILING Appeals Decisions and ISAF Cases Manual; US SAILING Judges Manual;

2. Judges are encouraged to own the following: model boats for use in protest hearings, VHF radio with extra battery and charger, tape recorder, binoculars, hand-bearing compass, whistle, template for drawing boats, PFD, sun protection and appropriate clothing to keep warm and dry.

Desirable Optional Certifications

CPR, First Aid, Senior Life Saving or Water Safety Instructor

Process for applying for certification as a US SAILING Judge

1. Candidates who are unsure of their qualifications and experience should consult with their Regional Administrative Judge (RAJ) prior to submitting an application. The RAJ can provide assistance in obtaining additional training and experience.

2. Complete an application for certification (Word, PDF) and submit it to your RAJ.

3. Once submitted, the RAJ will obtain completed reference forms from the references cited by the applicant in their application.  A copy of the reference form is available online (Word, PDF).

4. Once the references are completed, the RAJ will finish processing the application in accordance with the Regional Administrative Judges' Manual (PDF).

Responsibilities and Personal Conduct of Judges

US SAILING Judges and Umpires must maintain current membership in US SAILING, and file annual reports. The report is the primary basis for continuing appointment and upgrade. Failure to submit an annual report may result in removal of the Judge’s name from the Directory.

Personal conduct of judges and umpires must be above reproach before, during and after an event. US SAILING Judges and Umpires must comply with the Judges Standards and Practices outlined in the Judges Manual. They are expected to be mature and temperate, moderate in their use of alcohol, especially careful of medications and in full control of their faculties. A judge who has engaged in serious misconduct should be dismissed from the jury immediately. If the Judges Committee receives a report alleging inappropriate conduct by a US SAILING Judge or Umpire, it will investigate the report and may take disciplinary action.

Protest Committee Classification

In order to evaluate protest committee (PC) experience, the Judges Committee classifies as follows:

Class A - a committee appointed by the race committee.
Class B - a jury, which is separate from and independent of the race committee.
Class C - an international jury meeting the requirements of RRS Appendix N.