The race course consists of between 4 and 10 Windward/Leeward legs. The first leg is always upwind. The length of the legs is approximately 1.1 to 2.2 nautical miles. The course is to be set aligned as close as possible with the wind direction, and the starting line, finish line, and gate marks as perpendicular to the wind direction as possible.

For the Prada Cup, the Finish may be at an offset location, as shown in the diagram, on either side of the course, or the leeward gate may be used as a finish line depending on the decision of the Race Director. To date, in official races the Race Director has opted to use the leeward gate as the finish.

The number of legs and the length of the course are determined based on the estimated elapsed time of the race, primarily working from boat speeds and wind conditions, and aiming for a race lasting about 25 minutes. Length may also influenced by the physical constraints of the selected course area, as oriented for the expected conditions. The Race Director selects Course 4, 6, 8, or 10, with the numbers reflecting how many legs are to be sailed.

By 10:00am on the day of the race, the Race Director announces the selected Course Area, which is the general location the Race Course is expected to be set for the day's racing.

The Race Director must notify the teams of the selected Race Course not later than the Warning Signal, which is 3 minutes before the Starting Signal. During the race, the Race Director may still reduce the number of legs, but not to fewer than four legs. The length of a leg or the position of mark may also be adjusted during the race, but this must be signaled to the teams before they begin sailing that leg. (See Rules 32 and 33 in RRSAC)

Time Limit:

There is a time limit of 12 minutes after the start for at least one yacht to complete Leg 1, and a time limit to finish the course within 45 minutes after the start. If this limit is exceed, the race must be abandoned, and then resailed. (An abandoned race does not have a winner, and may be resailed.)

If a yacht does cross the finish line within the time limit, the race committee will terminate the race five minutes after the first yacht finishes. (A terminated race is one that has ended, with a winner and a loser.)

The Time Limits are set in Rule 35 of the RRSAC.