CALL MR 29              

Rule C2.1 Changes to the Definitions - definition Finish
Rule C5.6 Signals by Umpires
Rule C7.4(b) Penalty System: Taking and Completing Penalties


Question
Blue has a penalty outstanding as she approaches the finishing line. She lowers her spinnaker, luffs, passes head to wind, returns to a close-hauled course on the other tack, reverses her mainsail and sails backwards across the finishing line, now above close-hauled. Has she finished?

Answer
No. Blue cannot finish until she has taken her penalty. She has not borne away to a downwind course as required by rule C7.2(a)(2). The umpires will signal as required in rule C5.6 that the boat is no longer taking a penalty and that the penalty remains.