This is a list of around 280 abbreviations and acronyms that you may find in sail racing documentation including; Sail Race Results, Notices of Race and Sailing Instructions.

Other Lists:
Yacht Measurements	National Sailing Federations	Consolidated List of all abbreviations

List of Racing Abbreviations:

Code	What does it mean
#	"No Data":- Data is missing (or questionable) from the results system.
(x) (x.y) [x] [x.y]	"Discarded":- The race score inside the brackets is not included in series results. Normally the race score is dropped as per Sailing Insructions. e.g. [2] or [2.5]
2H	"Two Handed":- Racing in a division limited to only 2 crew members.
2IC	"Second In Charge".
A	"Mediated or Arbitrated Protest Result":- Result of protest determined by mediation or arbitration between the parties without going to full protest hearing.
ABDn	"Race Abandoned":- The race has been abandoned and will not be re-run.
ABN	"Race Abandoned":- The race has been abandoned and will not be re-run.
ABP	"Associated British Ports".
AHC	"Allocated Handicap":- The handicap allocated before the start of the next scored race.
AIS	"Automated Identification System":- A system that transmits a boat's position to all boats' in VHF range so that those boats are aware of the transmitter's position.
AMS	"Australian Measurement System":- A handicap based on physical measurements.
AP	"All Purpose":- Generally in conjunction with a handicap system e.g. ORC AP.
AP	"Answering Pennant Code Flag":- This signal flag is used to indicate a postponement or delay to (generally) the race start.
ARB	"Arbitrated Protest Result":- Result of protest determined by arbitration between the parties without going to full protest hearing.
AS Yardstick	"Australian Sailing Yardstock":- A handicap system to allow for mixed fleet racing especially Small catamarans and Dinghies, also including small keel boats, based on measurments handicapping systems.
ASBA	"Australian Sports Boat Association".
AVE	"Average Points Given":- Average points awarded as apposed to actual scored points, e.g. a boat that failed to finish due to them providing assistance to another. May also exist where a boat's division is changed during a series.
AVG	"Average Points Given":- Average points awarded as apposed to actual scored points, e.g. a boat that failed to finish due to them providing assistance to another. May also exist where a boat's division is changed during a series.
AVS	"Angle of Vanishing Stability":- The angle from the vertical at which a boat will no longer stay upright but will capsize.
B	"Bettered":- Tie broken by one boat bettering another. (No I don't understand this either). Maybe the same as Tie (see below).
B	"Black Flag Disqualification":- RRS 30.4 (Black flag). Disqualification for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under black flag conditions.
BCE	"Back Calculated Elapsed Time":- The difference between a boat's actual elapsed time and the theoretical elapsed time needed to achieve the same corrected time as the winning boat.
BCH	"Back Calculated Handicap":- A calculated handicap that would have resulted in all boats having the same corrected time for the race.
BCR	"Back Calculated Rating":-The handicap a boat would have needed to achieve the same corrected time as the winning boat.
BCT	"Base Corrected Time":- The elapsed time used to determine the BCH.
BCYS	"Back Calculated Yardstick":- The corrected time divided by the standard boat time and multiplied by its own yardstick. As in AS Yardstick for dinghies.
BDS	"BeiDou":- Globall Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) - China.
BFD	"Black Flag Disqualification":- RRS 30.4 (Black flag). Disqualification for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under black flag conditions.
BID	"Boat Identification":- Used in event entry systems to give a boat a unique identification.
BOM	"Bureau of Meteorology":- An Australian Government Agency for producing (Amongst other things) weather forecasts.
BOW	"Bow Number":- A number fixed to the bow of a boat, normally allocated by the Organising Authority (OA) to a boat without a sail number, eg. A charter boat.
BSF	"Time on Distance":-Handicap process. (e.g. anticipated seconds a boat takes to travel one Nautical Mile).
C	"Casual Entry":- Boat not entered into the entire series. Possibly does not collect series points or affect other competitors' points.
C	"Did Not Compete":- Entered for the race but did not show up to the start area.
CBCH	"Clamped Back Handicap":- Same as BCH but with preset limits on the amount of adjustment from the AHC.
CBH	"Class based Handicap":- A Handicap developed to allow boats from various classes to compete against other.
CHC	"Calculated Handicap":-The handicap that will be applicable to the next race.
CL	"Class":- Class or Division the boat is competing in.
COG	"Course Over Ground":- The actual direction of a boat relative to the Earth's surface which may be different to its heading.
COLREGS	"International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea".
Cor'd T	"Corrected Time":- Elapsed time after application of handicap.
CR	"Class Rules":- Rules applicable to a specific Class or design, esp. One design.
CRF	"Classic Rating Formula":- Handicap system for classic yachts.
CT	"Corrected Time":- Elapsed time after application of handicap.
CV	"Committee Vessel":- Normally seen at the starboard end of the start line and/or at the port end of the finish line, it may also be any vessel performorming functions related to the ruuning of the race eg. Setting marks.
D	"Disqualification":- (other than DGM). Not Excludable under rule 90.3.
DBP	"Duty Boat Points":- Club specific points for a boat that undertakes Club duties in place of racing .
DFL	"Dead (Expletive deleted) Last":- Self explanatory. Not an official acronym but heard around the bar of Sailing Clubs.
DGM	"Disqualified":- Disqualified under RRS 69.1. (Gross Misconduct).
DH	"Double Handed":- Racing in a division limited to only 2 crew members.
DidNot	"Did Not Receive a logical Score":- Reason for a boat receiving a score greater than the number of finishers e.g. DNF, DSQ, etc.
Div	"Division":- Description of or the number of the Division the boat is competing in.
Div No	"Division":- Description of or the number of the Division the boat is competing in.
DNC	"Did Not Compete":- Entered for the race but did not present to the start area. Alternate - "Did Not Come".
DND	"Disqualification Not Discarded":- The Disqualification race points score cannot be excluded (dropped) from the series score.
DNE	"Disqualification Not Excluded":- The Disqualification race points score cannot be excluded (dropped) from the series score.
DNF	"Did Not Finish":- Not too sure of the difference to Retired (RET) . Could it be that the boat retired due to a conscious decision made by the Skipper as opposed to not finishing due to external factors. Eg mechanical failure. Refer also Time Limit Exceeded (TLE).
DNS	"Did Not Start":- Was at the starting area but did not start.
DOG	"Distance Over Ground":- Distance over the ground, measured point to point, in nautical miles.
DP	"Discretionary Penalty":- A breach of a rule (Generally in the Sailiing Instructions) notated "DP" may attract a penalty at the discretion of the Race Committee.
DP	"Discretionary Penalty":- A discretionary penalty applied by the Race Committee which could be positive or negative.
DPI	"Discretionary Penalty":- A discretionary penalty applied by the Race Committee which could be positive or negative.
D-PN	" Dixie Portsmouth Number":- The handicap value as calculated by the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) handicapping system As recognised by United States Sailing Association.
DQ	"Disqualified":- Will mostly be heard being used by Sail GP broadcast commentators.
DR	"Derived Rating ":- Resultant Handicap as derived from the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) for classes/designs not covered by the Measured rating (MR).
DR	"Development Rule":- World Sailing (WS) process to publish a new Racing Rule for "Temporary Testing".
DSC	"Digital selective calling":- A standard for transmitting digital messages via Marine radio. It is a core part of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System.
DSQ	"Disqualified":- Reason for the disqualification should be noted somewhere in documentation.
DTF	"Distance To Finish":- Distance for the subject boat to go to the finish, measured along the shortest possible course.
DTG	"Distance To Go":- Distance for the subject boat to go to the finish, measured along the shortest possible course.
DTL	"Distance to Lead(er).":- The difference between the leader's Distance to go (DTG) and the subject boat's DTG.
DUT	"Duty Crew":- Points awarded to a boat that was unable to compete due to their duty crew responsibilities.
E	"Event Specific Penalty":- As defined in the event documentation.
ECA	"Ensign Class Association".
ECS	"Electronic Chart System":- An electronic charting system.
EHC	"Event Handicap":- Based on the performance of a particular boat. The initial EHC handicap reflects previous/known performance for the boat or the type of boat.
Elapsd	"Elapsed time":- Boats time from race start time to the boats finish time.
ENP	"Event Nominated Penalty":- As defined in the event documentation.
EPIRB	"Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon"
ERS	"Equipment Rules Of Sailing".
ESP	"Event Specific Penalty":- As defined in the event documentation.
EST	"Estimated".
ET	"Elapsed time":- Boats time from race start time to the boats finish time.
ETA	"Estimated Time of Arrival".
ETO	"Elapsed Time Order":- The order of finishing based on elapsed time.
ETord	"Elapsed Time Order":- The order of finishing based on elapsed time.
EXC	"Race Results Excluded":- The results of a particular race are exclude for all boats.
F	"Did Not Finish":- Not too sure of the difference to Retired (RET) . Could it be that the boat retired due to a conscious decision made by the Skipper as opposed to not fiishing due to external factors. Eg mechanical failure. Refer also Time Limit Exceeded (TLE).
Fin Tim	"Finish Time":- Finish time at time of day. as opposed to elapsed time.
Fleet	"Fleet":- Subject boat's situation overall (in the Fleet), irrespective of Class/Division.
G	"Redress Given":- Points awarded to a boat that due to exceptional circumstances achieved a result worse than the points given. E.G. provided assistance to another boat in difficulty.
GLONASS	"Global Navigation Satellite System":- a Global Navigation System (GNSS) -Russia.
GMDSS	"Global Maritime Distress and Safety System":- System for Automated Emergency Signal Communication.
GNSS	"Global Navigation Satellite System":- E.g. GPS, GLONASS. etc.
GPH	"General Purpose Handicap":- Based on predicted seconds/mile.
GPS	"Global Positioning System":- A Global Navigation System (GNSS) - USA.
GSC	"Galileo":- a Global Navigation System (GNSS) - EU.
H	"Did not sail course":- Boat finished the race but did not sail the correct course.
H1	"One Hull":- Foiling catamaran sailing with one hull in and one hull out of the water. Will mostly be heard being used by Sail GP broadcast commentators describing a boat that is not foiling.
H2	"Two Hulls":- Foiling catamaran sailing with both hulls in the water. Will mostly be heard being used by Sail GP broadcast commentators describing a boat that is not foiling.
HC	"Handicap".
HC	"Wind Handicap":- A system that is a multi-number extension of the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) system to account for varied boat performance across a range of wind and sea conditions to correct elapsed times.
HCAP	"Handicap".
HF	"High Frequency Radio".
HPS	"Handicap Points Score":- Points awarded based on handicap performance.
I	"Discretionary Penalty":- A discretionary penalty applied by the Race Committee, could be positive or negative.
IDM	"Inner Distance Mark":- A Mark associated with the start line, it could be a mark to protect the committee vessel (Sometimes called a Barging Buoy) or (especially) where the start line is defined by transits. It is not part of the start line but must be passed on the specified side.
IJ	"International Juror".
ILCA	"International Laser Class Association".
ILM	"Inner Limit Mark":- A Mark associated with the start line, it could be a mark to protect the committee vessel (Sometimes called a Barging Buoy) or (especially) where the start line is defined by transits. It is not part of the start line but must be passed on the specified side.
IMA	"International Maxi Association".
IMO	"International Maritime Organisation".
IMOCA	"International Monohull Open Class Association".
IMS	"International Measurement System":- A handicap based on physical measurements.
IMSAR	"International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue":- IMSAR Manual is a manual for the operation of Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue.
IOR	"International Offshore Rule":- A handicap based on physical measurements.
IPH	"Initial Provisional handicap".
IRC	"International Racing Conference":- A handicap based on physical measurements. Adminitered by 'Union Nationale pour la Course au Large' (UNCL) from France and 'Royal Offshore Racing Club' (RORC) from Britaim.
IRC TPR	"International Racing Conference - TP52 Rating":- Unique to TP52 One design boats, calculate using the boat's IRC handicap and adjusted for boat age, crew age and number and crew professional status.
IRNSS	"Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System":- a Global Navigation System (GNSS) -India.
IRO	"International Race Officer".
IRPC	"“Individually Rated Production Class":- In PHRF where a production model boat has been modified or does not otherwise fall within the definition of a standard production model.
IRPCAS	"International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea".
IRPCS	"International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea".
ISAF	"International Sailing Federation":- (Now known as "World Sailing").
ISO	"International Organization for Standardization".
ISYR	"International Superyacht Rule".
ITMA	"International 12 Meter Association".
JAM	"Jib and Main Only":- Boats restricted to conventional headsail and main only. Spinnakers not be allowed.
KB	"Keel Boat".
L	"Late Entrant":- Boat joined series after first race.
LB	"Laid Buoy":- A temporary buoy laid by the Race Committee as a mark of the Course.
LBCHD	"Limited Back Handicap Discard":- Same as BCH but discarded when the variation to AHC is greater than preset limits.
LBCHL	"Limited Back Handicap Lower":- Same as BCH but with preset limits on the amount of Lower adjustment.
LBCHU	"Limited Back Handicap Upper":- Same as BCH but with preset limits on the amount of Upper adjustment.
LH	"Hull Length":- Used in some handicap measurement system documentation.
LH	"Line Honours".
LM	"Laid mark":- A mark laid out by (generally) the race committee to act as a mark of the course.
LM	"Leeward Mark".
LOA	"Length Overall".
LTP	"Long Term Performance":- Performance based handicap system for sports boats.
LWL	"Length at Waterline"
M	"Disqualified":- Disqualified under RRS 69.1. (Gross Misconduct).
M(n)	"Mark (Insert number here)":- A mark of the Course.
M1	"Mark One":- A mark of the Course.
M2	"Mark Two":- A mark of the Course.
MCCF	"Mixed Class Correction Factor":- applies to fleets containing multihulls and monohulls or sailboards and monohulls.
MED	"Mediated Protest Result":- Result of protest determined by mediation between the parties without going to full protest hearing.
MMSI	"Maritime Mobile Service Identity":- Is a unique nine digit number that is entered into certain marine radio communications equipment.
MOB	"Man Over Board".
MOCRA	"Multihull Offshore Cruising and Racing Association".
MPZ	"Moving Prohibited Zone":- A moving zone that entry into is prohibited. E.g the exclusion zone surrounding a moving ship or Passenger Ferry>
MR	"Measured Rating":- Resultant Handicap as derived from the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY).
MSA	"Maritime Safety Act".
N	"Event Specific Penalty":- As defined in the event documentation.
NCL	"No Crew List ":- This Boat has failed to submit an accurate Crew List .
NER	"No Entry Received":- Subject boat did not enter for this particular race.
NET	"Net Series Score":- The sum of all race scores in a series less any scores dropped (scores that are not counted).
NHC	"National Handicap for Cruisers":- Based on the boat's previous performances.
NJ	"National Juror".
NM (nm)	"Nautical mile":- One Nautical mile approximates 1,852 meters.
NOC	"National Olympic Committee".
NOD	"No Declaration":- A declaration form has not been submitted within the required time frame. These declarations could include compliance or post race declarations, or declaration(s) as specified in the Sailing Instructions. Generally a penalty will apply.
NOR	"Notice of Race".
NP	"Non Point score":- A race that is part of a series but does not contribute to the score of that series.
NP	"Not Protest":- A boat may not protest another boat that is in breach of a rule (Generally in the Sailing Instructions) that is notated with (NP).
NS	"Non Spinnaker":- Boats racing in a division where spinnakers are not permitted.
NTC	"Notice To Competitors".
NSC	"Did not sail course":- Boat finished the race but did not sail the correct course.
O	"On Course Side" :- Over the line at the start. Or broke RRS 30.1 (I Flag) Start conditions. Alternate - "On Course at Start".
OA	"Organising Authority".
OCS	"On Course Side" :- Over the line at the start. Or broke RRS 30.1 (I Flag) Start conditions. Alternate - "On Course at Start".
OD	"One Design". A form of racing where all boats are virtually identical or similar in design. Each One Design class will have its own set of specification rules.
ODM	"Outer Distance Mark":- A Mark associated with the start line, it could be "Pin End" and part of the start line or (especially) where the start line is defined by transits it is not part of the start line but must be passed on the specified side.
OffSet	"Off Set Time":- The waiting period or offset which is subtracted from the finish time to work out the elapsed time, Generally applicable to pursuit stars. The subject boat's pursuit start handicap sutracted from its finish time equals its actual elapsed time.
OLM	"Outer Limit Mark":- A Mark associated with the start line, it could be "Pin End" and part of the start line or (especially) where the start line is defined by transits it is not part of the start line but must be passed on the specified side.
OMR	"Offshore Multihull Rating". "Offshore Multihull Rule":- A measurement based handicap system for multihulls. Same Acronym interpreted differently by various organisations.
ONB	"Official Notice Board".
OOD	"Officer Of the Day".
ORA	"Officer Of the Day".Offshore Racing Association".
ORC	"Off Shore Racing Conference".
ORC AP	"Off Shore Racing Conference - All Purpose":- A measurement based handicap rating system. For handicapping boats in all except Winward Leeward races.
ORC DH	"Off Shore Racing Conference - Double Handed":- A measurement based handicap rating system. For handicapping boats competing in Double Handed divisions.
ORC WL	"Off Shore Racing Conference - Windward Leeward":- A measurement based handicap rating system. For handicapping boats in Windward Leeward races.
ORCc	"Off Shore Racing Conference - Club":- A measurement based handicap rating system. Based on honesty self measurement.
ORCi	"Off Shore Racing Conference - International":- A measurement based handicap rating system.
ORR	"Off Shore Racing Rule":- A measurement based handicap rating system.
ORR EZ	"Off Shore Racing Rule":- A measurement based handicap rating system with algorithms to recognise performance differences in points of sail, e.g. Reaching Vs running, running vs beating etc.
OSR	"Offshore Special Regulation(s)".
OTB	"Off The Beach":- Normally associated with dinghy classes where the boats are launched off the beach".
OTL	"Ouside Time Limit":- Finished outside of the time limit applicable to that race.
OV	"Overall":- Subject boat's situation overall, irrespective of Class/Division.
OWC	"Off Wind Course":-Part of the PHRF rating system, is used when the anticipated course majority off wind.
P	"Port":- Normally associated with a course mark - leave to port.
P	"Protest pending".
PBH	"Performance Based Handicap":- Based on the boat's previous performances.
PBO	"Poor Bloody Owner". Normally relate to the weight (or lack thereof) of the owners wallet.
PCS	"Polar Curve Scoring":- Yachts of different designs have different time allowances depending on weather conditions and course configuration.
PD	"Percentage Difference":- The percentage difference between AHC and BCH.
PF	"Performance Factor":- The BCYS divided by the boat's class yardstick. As in AS Yardstick for dinghies.
PFD	"Personal Flotation Device":- Life Jacket.
PHRF	"Performance Handicap Racing Fleet":- Handicap system based on the previous performances of all boats of a particular class, design or Model.
PHRF-xx	"Performance Handicap Racing Fleet" "xx":- xx = the abbreviation of the local PHRF jurisdiction. E.g. LO = Lake Ontario, NB = Narragansett Bay, NE = New England. USA location list here ussailing.org/competition/offshore/phrf/phrf-fleet-contact-directory
PHS	"Performance Handicap System":- Based on the boat's previous performances relative to the performance of other boats.
PiC	"Person in Charge"
PLB	"Personal Locator Beacon".
PMR	"Pacific Multihull Rating"- Resultant Multihull Handicap as derived from the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY).
PN	"Portsmouth Number":- The handicap value as calculated by the Portsmouth Yardstick handicapping system (PY).
POB	"People On Board". Alternate - "Persons On Board". Alternate - "Pax On Board". Alternate - "Personnes à Bord". Alternate - "Persone a bordo". (Take your pick - Sorry got carried away).
PP	"Protest Panel".
PRO	"Principal Race Officer".
PTL	"Protest Time Limit":- The time window available for lodging of a protest.
PY	"Portsmouth Yardstick":- A empirical handicap system first developed in (believe it or not) Portsmouth.
Q	"Disqualified":- Reason for the disqualification should be noted somewhere in documentation.
QZNS	"Quasi-Zenith Satellite System":- A Global Navigation System (GNSS) -Japan.
R	"Race".
R	"Retired":- Not too sure of the difference to DNF however in Motor racing a competitor is scored RET while the race is still in progress and DNF after the event is finished.
R	"Race Number":- Indicates the race number in which this boat broke a series score tie. e.g. R3
RAF	"Retired After Finishing".
RC	"Race Committee".
RCB	"Race Committee Boat".
RCD	"Recreactional Craft Directive":- Boats covered by the Directive are required to comply with specific ISO standards.
RD	"Race Director".
RDG	"Redress Given":- Points awarded to a boat that due to exceptional circumstances achieved a result worse than the points given. E.G. provided assistance to another boat in difficulty.
RET	"Retired":- Not too sure of the difference to Did Not Finish (DNF) . Could it be that the boat retired due to a conscious decision made by the Skipper as opposed to not finishing due to external factors. Eg mechanical failure. Refer also Time Limit Exceeded (TLE).
RIB	"Rigid Inflatable Boat".
RLC	"Random Leg Course":-Part of the PHRF rating system, is used when the anticipated course is neither windward/Leeward or majority off wind.
Rn	"Race Number":- Indicates the race number in which this boat broke a series score tie. e.g. R3
RO	"Race Officer".
RORC	"Royal Offshore Racing Club":- A British Club that manages IRC from Britain, see also UNCL.
RR	"Racing Rule".
RRS	"Racing Rules of Sailing":- Or to those that like to remember before electronic publishing; The Blue Book (In Australia).
RTD	"Retired":- Not too sure of the difference to Did Not Finish (DNF) . Could it be that the boat retired due to a conscious decision made by the Skipper as opposed to not finishing due to external factors. Eg mechanical failure. Refer also Time Limit Exceeded (TLE).
RYA Yardstick	"Royal Yachting Association Yardstock":- A handicap system to allow formixed fleet racing especially Small catamarans and Dinghies, also including small keel boats, based on measurments handicapping systems.
S	"Did not start":- Was at the starting area but did not start.
S	"Score":- Indicates the score value that this boat received as a tie breaker. Boats with equal series scores but whose hierarchy is determined by a count back system indicated in SIs. E.g the boat with the most 1st paces etc. May also be used to indicate the individual race score that determined the result of the count back. e.g. 1S 1.5S
S	"Starboard":- Normally associated with a course mark - leave to starboard,
SAR	"Search and Rescue".
SBT	"Standard Boat Time":- The corrected time for the first boat on corrected times to sail a proper course. Alternatively, a consistently sailed boat finishing in the top five of the fleet, on corrected time, can be taken as the standard boat . As in AS Yardstick for dinghies.
SC	"Scoring Penalty Applied":- Penalty applied, generally withaut an a hearing e.g. entering the restricted start entry before a boat's appropriate tine.
SCD	"Safety Compliance Declaration".
SCHRS	"Small Catamaran Handicap Rating System":- A handicap based on physical measurements for small catamarans.
SCP	"Scoring Penalty Applied":- Penalty applied, generally withaut an a hearing e.g. entering the restricted start entry before a boat's appropriate tine.
SCP	"Scoring Penalty Taken":- Rule 44.3.
SER	"Safety Equipment Requirements".
SER	"Single Event Rating".
Sers	"Series".
SI	"Sailing Instructions".
SIN	"Sailing Australia Number".
SIs	"Sailing Instructions".
SKED	"Schedule":- E.g time(s) of scheduled reporting of position.
SML	"Stone Motherless Last":- Not an official acronym but often heard around the bar at Sailing Clubs. Maybe a declaration that victory has many parents but defeat has none.
SMS	"Short Message System":- Better known as a text on on a mobile (cell) phone.
SMS	"Sport Boat Measurement System". A handicap based on physical measurements.
SOG	"Speed Over the Ground":- The speed the boat is moving relative to the surface of the earth.
SOLAS	"International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea":- A International maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standard.
SOP	"Sign On/Sign Off Penalty":-This Boat did not Sign On/Sign Off .
SORC	"Southern Ocean Racing Conference".
SP	"Scoring Penalty":- A Breach of a rule notated "SP" may attract a penalty without a hearing.
SP	"Standard Penalty".
SPIN	"Spinnaker":- Spinnakers allowed. As apposed to Jib and Main Only (JAM).
SR	"Special Regulations":- The regulations dictating the equipment required on a boat to be legal to race, generally published with the RRS.
SSS	"Safety and Stability Screening":- A base value for the boat is calculated from the boat's dimensions and rated parameters.
STCW	"Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping":- A comprehensive set of international regulations that determine the qualifications and certifications required of seafarers.
STIX	"Stability Index".
STP	"Standard Penalty":- Penalty applied (normally not an on-water incident) due to an infringement that was specified the NoR or SIS, could include not reporting to officers pre/post race or not returning equipment e.g. a tracker.
STW	"Through The Water".
T	"Tie broken":- Tie broken by one boat having more of a particular score. E.g firsts.
T	"Time Limit Exceeded":- Finished outside of the time limit applicable to that race.
TCC	"Time on Time Handicap".
TCF	"Time Correction Factor":- Handicap value to determine corrected time.
TD	"Time Difference":- difference in time between fastest corrected time and subject boat's corrected time.
TES	"TopYacht Entry System":- Entry system that is part of the TopYacht race scoring system.
TES-BID	"TopYacht Entry System - Boat Id".
TH	"Two Handed":- Racing in a division limited to only 2 crew members.
Tie(s)	"Scoring Tie(s)":- Indicates boats with equal series scores but whose hierarchy is determined by a count back system indicated in SIs. E.g the boat with the most 1st paces etc. May also be used to indicate the individual race score that determined the result of the count back.
TLE	"Time Limit Exceeded":- Finished outside of the time limit applicable to that race.
TLP	"Time Limit Penalty":- Penalty applied to boats that failed to finish within a specified tile after the first boat to finish.
TOD	"Time on Distance":-Handicap process. (e.g. anticipated seconds a boat takes to travel one Nautical Mile).
TOT	"Time on Time Handicap".
TPR	"TP52 Rating":- Unique to TP52 One design boats, calculate using the boat's IRC handicap and adjusted for boat age, crew age and number and crew professional status.
TS	"Traffic Separation".
TSS	"Traffic Separation Scheme".
U	"U Flag Disqualification":- RRS 30.3 (U flag). Disqualification for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under"U" flag conditions.
UFD	"U Flag Disqualification":- RRS 30.3 (U flag). Disqualification for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under"U" flag conditions.
UNCL	"Union Nationale pour la Course au Large":- A French Club that manages IRC from France, see also RORC.
US Yardstick	"United States Sailing Yardstock":- A handicap system to allow formixed fleet racing especially Small catamarans and Dinghies, also including small keel boats, based on measurments handicapping systems.
USSA PN	"United States Sailing Association Portsmith Number":- A handicap system to allow formixed fleet racing especially Small catamarans and Dinghies, also including small keel boats, based on measurments handicapping systems.
USSER	"US Safety Equipment Regulations".
UTC	"Universal Time Coordinated":- UTC (A time Standard) is the time at the time zone known as Greenwich Mean Time.
V	"Average Points Given":- Average points awarded as apposed to actual scored points, e.g. a boat that failed to finish due to them providing assistance to another. May also exist where a boat's division is changed during a series.
VHF	"Very High Frequency Radio":- Often expressed as VHF channel 77, VHF Ch 77 or VHF 77.
Vis	"Visitor":- Possibly does not collect series points or affect other competitors' points.
VMC	"Velocity Made on Course":- Speed of a boat projected on the theoretical route.
VPP	"Velocity Prediction Program":- Used in ORC and others to predict a yacht's performance.
Vs	"Visitor":- Possibly does not collect series points or affect other competitors' points.
VTS	"Vessel Traffic Service".
W	"Duty Crew":- Points awarded to a boat that was unable to compete due to their duty crew responsibilities.
W/L	"Windward/Leeward".
WL	"Windward/Leeward".
WM	"Windward Mark".
WRS	"Weather Routing Scoring": A factor that alters a boats handicap based on the forecast weather conditions and the boats forecast performance in those weather conditions.
X	"Race Results Excluded":- The results of a particular race are excluded for all boats.
XWL	"Wrong Finish Line":- Subject boat finished on the wrong finsh line.
Y	"Scoring Penalty Taken":- Rule 44.3.
YB	"YB Tracker":- A propriety global tracking system. Originally known as "Yellow Brick".
YOB	"Year Of Birth".
YTC	"Yacht Time Correction":- A simple measurement based handicap system.
Z	"Z Flag Penalty":- RRS 30.2 (Z flag). 20% PENALTY for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under Z code flag conditions.
ZFP	"Z Flag Penalty":- RRS 30.2 (Z flag). 20% PENALTY for being On Course Side (OCS) in a race that was started under Z code flag conditions.

This list came about from those occasions when we looked at the results of a yacht race or a regatta and have seen an abbreviation or an acronym and wondered what those Sail Racing Abbreviations meant, we would google “what does ??? mean in sailing”, the results of which were sometimes a bit obscure others easier, a list started from there, we hope it is of some value to you.

Many of these Racing Abbreviations are self explanatory, however on some occasions they can be somewhat (actually quite) obscure, leading us to wonder just what does ??? mean in sailing, It almost appears that at times the PRO (Look it up) puts in abbreviations or anagrams in an attempt to show their audience that they know more about the subject than the reader. At other times and quite sensibly these abbreviations and anagrams are just a way of saving space in a results table and/or publication time.

How many race abbreviations on one results page?

This list may be a little “AussieCentric” as that is where we live and take most interest in race results, also one of the resources used was the Top Yacht Scoring system that is popular with clubs in Australia. There are a few different acronyms  and  abbreviations in sailing that appear to have the same meaning, there are also a few sail racing abbreviations and sail racing acronyms that have differing meanings, this is probably due to differing scoring regimes in different jurisdictions, they may have subtly different meanings.

Please feel free to contact us with any comments or suggestions regarding  this list.