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What is OCS (On Course Side) in Sailing?

Being over the start line when the starting signal sounds. An OCS boat must return and start properly or be scored one point worse than the number of entries. Under black-flag or U-flag starts, an early boat is disqualified from the race instead.

Example: Her medal race hopes died with an OCS at the gun.

Related terms

Tack (manoeuvre)Tack (port/starboard)Gybe (jibe)Beat (upwind leg)Run and reachWindward and leewardLaylineMark
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