2 min read · Updated 5 July 2026
The Notice of Race (NOR) is the official document that announces a regatta — setting out who can enter, when and where, the rules that apply, and how to sign up. It's the first document any competitor reads about an event, and effectively the contract for taking part. Here's what it covers.
What it is
Published by the organising authority (usually the host club) well before the event, the NOR tells competitors everything they need to decide whether and how to enter:
- Dates and venue.
- Eligibility — which boats and classes can enter.
- The rules that will apply, and the safety category.
- Entry requirements, deadlines and fees.
- The schedule.
- Any special conditions.
NOR vs Sailing Instructions
Two documents, two jobs:
- Notice of Race — announces the event and its high-level conditions, published well in advance, so you can decide to enter.
- Sailing Instructions — the detailed on-the-water instructions, published closer to the event: courses, start procedures, marks, time limits, daily details.
In short: the NOR gets you to the regatta; the Sailing Instructions tell you how to race it.
Why read it carefully
The NOR is the conditions you agree to by entering — eligibility, rules, safety category, deadlines, crew and equipment requirements. Missing something can leave you ineligible or unprepared. Serious competitors read it carefully to confirm their boat, crew and paperwork meet the requirements. It's the event's contract, so it repays reading properly.
The takeaway
The Notice of Race is a regatta's opening document: who, when, where, under what rules, and how to enter. Read it first and read it well. See what is a sailing regatta for the event picture, and how scoring works for the results.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a Notice of Race?
- A Notice of Race, or NOR, is the official document published by the organising authority to announce a regatta and tell competitors everything they need to decide whether and how to enter. It sets out the dates and venue, which boats and classes are eligible, the rules that will apply, entry requirements and fees, the schedule, and any special conditions. It is the first formal document a competitor reads about an event, published well before racing so people can plan and enter.
- What is the difference between a Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions?
- The Notice of Race announces the event and sets the high-level conditions — eligibility, rules, entry, schedule — so competitors can decide to enter, and it is published well in advance. The Sailing Instructions, published closer to the event, give the detailed on-the-water instructions for actually racing: the courses, start procedures, marks, time limits and daily details. In short, the NOR gets you to the regatta and the Sailing Instructions tell you how to race it.
- Why should you read the Notice of Race carefully?
- Because it contains the conditions you are agreeing to by entering — eligibility requirements, the rules and safety category that apply, entry deadlines and fees, crew and equipment requirements, and any special conditions — and missing something can mean you are ineligible or unprepared. Serious competitors read the NOR carefully to make sure their boat, crew and paperwork meet the requirements. It is the contract for the event, so it repays careful reading rather than a quick skim.
- Who writes the Notice of Race?
- The Notice of Race is written and published by the organising authority for the event, usually the host yacht club or sailing organisation, often in conjunction with the class association for one-design events. It must comply with the racing rules, which specify what a Notice of Race should contain. The same organising authority typically also produces the Sailing Instructions and runs the event, so the NOR reflects how that club intends to conduct the regatta.