by tag1945 » Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:04 pm
Mark
A lot of detail in your explanation! Good
If I was on the Protest Committee, this is how I would call it:
1. Blue's protest dismissed, Red provided adequate Mark-Room, Rule 18.2b, at position 2 for both Blue and Green.
2. Green's protest dismissed, Both Green and Blue were at head to wind at position 3 and would have to pass head wind to properly round the mark. When the boats pass head to wind, Rule 18.2b is turned on and they would have to keep clear of Red.......
3. Red's protest is dismissed, Red as the outside windward boat is not entitled to Mark-Room. Red was obligated to provide Mark-Room for both Blue and Green Rule 18.2b. Section A rules still apply!!! Red as the windward boat must keep clear of both Blue and Green, Rule 11.
4. Green's Protest dismissed, Red has provided ample room at position 3, for both Blue and Green, and the fact that either Blue or Green could not take the Mark-Room is not a foul on Red. The only way that Blue or Green could pass the Mark on the correct side would be to pass head to wind and Rule 13, would require both blue and green to keep clear of other boats.
5. I would also note that it appears Red may have foul Green at position 5. The fact that Green was forced to sail below the mark because of the wind shift, does not relieve Red from Section A Rules, (Rule 11). Green is still overlapped with Red on the same tack and Red, being the windward boat, must keep clear. Green does not break any rules by sailing under the Mark.
Blue would receive a penalty, Rule 31, for touching the Mark
Red might have receive a penalty, Rule 11,for not keeping clear of Green at position 5. As Green passed under the mark, Red should have not tried to round the mark until Green has gybed to go back and round the mark properly. You did not say that Green protested Red at position 5, so I will assume that Green had enough room to gybe and once Green was on port tack, Green is now required to keep clear of Red, Rule 10. I would need more information on the position 5 and 6. If Red was forced to luff to windward to avoid Green after Green had gybed onto Port, Green might have fouled Red, Rule 10.
Your description of the incident did not mention when and how the overlap between the boats began. For Rule 17 to be in effect, the overlap must begin by a boat overlapping another boat from clear astern. When the wind shifted and Green was forced to sail below the mark, that was his proper course considering the wind shift. Green could not tack and did not want to touch the mark.
Nice Graphic
Tom
Tom Germer
AMYA #6571