Question 1
Yellow is approaching the leeward mark below the layline and is clear
ahead of Blue at the zone. Very shortly thereafter Blue becomes overlapped
outside and to windward of Yellow. At position 5 Blue displays her Y-flag.
What should the call be?
Answer 1
Yellow is clear ahead when she enters the zone. Rule 18.2(b) applies and
Blue must give her mark-room. When Blue becomes overlapped on the outside,
she is required by rule 11 to keep clear of Yellow. Blue gives room and
keeps clear.
From the moment the boats overlap until Yellow gybes, rule 18.4 also applies
and Yellow shall sail no farther from the mark than her proper course.
The umpires must consider factors such as the type of boat, current, wind
strength and waves to decide whether Yellow complies with this rule. If
the umpires decide that Yellow sails farther from the mark than she would
in the absence of Blue while rule 18.4 applies, then Yellow breaks rule
18.4. Penalize Yellow. If not, display the green and white flag.
Question 2
Would the call be different if Yellow was having a problem lowering her spinnaker?
Answer 2
No. Neither the room that has to be given by Blue nor the course that must be
sailed by Yellow is changed by unseamanlike boat handling.