Team Race - CALL J 02      

Rule 11 On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 18.2 Giving Mark-Room
Definition Mark-Room

Question
A and X are approaching a leeward mark to be left to starboard. When X reaches the zone she is clear ahead of A. X bears away and at position 2 A gains a leeward overlap. X maintains her course until position 3 when A protests. What should the call be?

Answer
Penalize X.
When X reaches the zone, rule 18 starts to apply and A is required to give her mark-room, which she does. From position 2, X is windward boat and must keep clear of A under rule 11. X breaks rule 11 when A needs to alter course to avoid her.
Mark-room includes room for X to sail to the mark, but because she is sailing below her course to the mark she is taking more room than needed and cannot be exonerated under rule 18.5 for breaking rule 11.