by kahle67 » Thu May 13, 2004 6:26 pm
I feel your pain Scott. There is nothing that pisses me off more. Sometimes you need to hail a second time just a little louder to get the other skippers attention (maybe again and again). No, you can't just turn up and hit him suddenly as that would be an infraction of rule 16 and you would both be thrown out. Sail your course and if contact is the result, then it is the other boats fault for sailing down on you. Whatever you do, do not slow down or become entangled. If you have to dive, go ahead and then protest. JUST KEEP MOVING!
Yes, you are right. Just after the start is one of the most critical times during a race and it is essential to find clear air and crossing lanes. You definately do not want to be forced to sail towards the wrong side of a shift and end up at the back of the pack at a crowded first weather mark.
If the same skipper does it again after another start, throw him in the lake.
Reichard Kahle
PS- Just kidding about that last sentence