Team Race - CALL L 01      

Rule 64.1(c) Decisions, Exoneration
Rule D2.2(d)(3) Penalties Initiated by Umpires, Breach of Sportsmanship

Question
Approaching a windward mark, A, on port tack, bears away to pass astern of X on starboard. A is keeping clear when X’s crew suddenly pushes out her boom and backs her mainsail, and her boom hits A’s rigging. X protests. What should the call be?

Answer
A breaks rule 10, but is compelled to do so by the action of X that is a breach of sportsmanship. Penalize X under rule D2.2(d)(3), and exonerate A under rule 64.1(c). (See also Case 73.)


When a right-of-way boat continues to sail her course, but through intentional unseamanlike sailing (e.g. pushing out her boom) causes contact with a keep clear boat that would otherwise have kept clear, then this is a breach of sportsmanship.