The hearing does not start when you introduce yourself. It starts when the parties walk into the room.

The physical layout dictates the psychology. Are the tables aligned? Is there water? Is the temperature controlled? A chaotic room invites chaotic testimony.

This is where you establish control. You are not a police officer; you are a facilitator of the rules.

Introduce the panel clearly. State the procedure. Confirm understanding. Do not rush the introduction—it is the only time to lower the heart rates of the competitors.

Never skip validity to "get to the good stuff."

Validity is the safeguard of the sport. If the flag was late, or the hail was missing, there is no case. Dismissing an invalid protest is not a technicality; it is upholding the rules of protest procedure.

We are historians, not creative writers.

The goal is to rebuild the incident based on evidence. Ask open questions: "What did you see?" "How far were you?" Avoid leading questions. Let the silence do the work—sailors will often fill the silence with the truth.

When testimony conflicts—and it always does—how do you decide?

Go back to the last point where both parties agree. Start building the timeline from there. Use the "balance of probabilities." We do not need 100% proof; we need to know what was more likely than not to have occurred based on boat speeds and geometry.

The "Facts Found" section is the most critical part of the decision. It must stand alone.

Do not write "Boat A broke rule 10." That is a conclusion.

If a fact is not written here, it cannot be used in your conclusion.

Sailors arrive with adrenaline. Judges must respond with calm.

If a sailor becomes aggressive, do not match their energy. Lower your voice. Stop the proceedings. Remind them of Rule 69 (Misconduct) only if necessary, but usually, a firm, quiet pause is enough to reset the room.

We may argue fiercely in private deliberation. We are a monolith in public.

Once the door opens, there is no "I thought," only "The Jury decided." Dissenting opinions stay in the closed room. The Chairman speaks for the panel, but the decision belongs to everyone.

Judging Appendix P (Rule 42) requires a different mindset.

You are reactive, instant, and visible. Position the jury boat where you can see the body mechanics, not just the sail. Be consistent. If you penalize the leader for pumping, you must be ready to penalize the last boat for the same action.

Being an International Judge is a service to the sport. It demands knowledge, but it relies on character.