by tag1945 » Fri Dec 24, 2010 5:39 pm
Fran, Chuck
Chuck is correct. After hearing, your more complete explanation of the events, the Race Committee should have abandoned the race. Rule 32.1 provides the authority for this and with 80% of the boats missing the mark, it does appear that the sailing instructions did not do a good job in describing the course.
Rule 32.1e requires the Race Committee to consider the consequences for all the boats in the race or series when they decide a ruling....
Fran's original question shows the importance of providing all the details of the event. Who, What, When & Where for everything Before, During, and after the event.
32 SHORTENING OR ABANDONING AFTER THE START
32.1 After the starting signal, the race committee may shorten the course (display flag S with two sounds) or abandon the race (display flag N, N over H, or N over A, with three sounds), as appropriate,
(a) because of an error in the starting procedure,
(b) because of foul weather,
(c) because of insufficient wind making it unlikely that any boat will finish within the time limit,
(d) because a mark is missing or out of position, or
(e) for any other reason directly affecting the safety or fairness of the competition, or may shorten the course so that other scheduled races can be sailed. However, after one boat has sailed the course and finished within the time limit, if any, the race committee shall not abandon the race without considering the consequences for all boats in the race or series.
Merry Christmas!
Tom