Read both documents. The notice of race tells you how to enter and what rules will apply; the sailing instructions tell you how the racing will run: courses, marks, starting area, time limits, protest procedure. The meanings in Race Signals cannot be changed except as rule 86.1(b) allows, and any other signal the committee uses must be explained in the notice of race or sailing instructions. A committee may display an object that looks like the flag instead of the flag itself.
RRS 2025–2028 · Part 3
25 Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and Signals
The notice of race must be available before you enter and the sailing instructions before racing; signal meanings come from Race Signals.