CALL MR 31              

Rule C8.3(b) Penalties Initiated by Umpires—deliberately breaking a rule


Question
How will the umpires decide if a rule was broken deliberately?

Answer
There is no complete clearcut answer, but rather a sliding scale of likelihood. The umpires are likely to conclude that a rule was broken deliberately when:

  • the situation has built up for some time rather than occurred instantaneously;

  • there is a potentially match-winning tactical gain from breaking the rule;

  • the infringement does not seem to be a simple misjudgement.

Examples could be:

  • breaking a rule to avoid being OCS (windward boat bears down on leeward boat);

  • Blue cannot lay the pin and tacks onto port (see Diagram above);

  • barging at a starting mark;

  • denying an inside boat room at the mark.