This data layer indicates sailboat racing areas within the area covered by the Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP). This data layer was developed from May 2009 - August 2009 and published in September 2009. Data were collected through interviews and mapping exercises conducted with sailboat racing stakeholders and race organizers. In each interview, stakeholders were first given a brief introduction to the RI Ocean SAMP planning process and shown NOAA nautical charts of the SAMP area. Researchers then asked the organizers to identify races that take place within the SAMP area and to indicate where those races take place. This information was used to determine the typical course or courses for each race, which were recorded and digitized as lines or polygons to create Geographic Information Systems (GIS) shapefiles. This data layer includes only those sailboat races best represented as polygons, because they typically involve shorter races around courses marked by buoys. It should be noted that these data layers do not include all sailboat races that take place in the SAMP area, and that race courses may change from year to year.