Team Race - CALL M 07      

Rule 44.2 One-Turn and Two-Turns Penalties
Rule D2.1(c) Protests and Exoneration
Rule D2.2(c) Umpired Races: Penalty Description
Rule D2.2(d)(2) Penalties Initiated by Umpires

At the start of a race, boat A is OCS and has just been given a Two-Turns Penalty. A immediately bears away, gybes and tacks, but then sails towards the pin end of the starting line before she again bears away, gybes around the mark and then tacks.

Question 1
Has A complied with the requirements of rule D2.2(c)?

Answer 1
No. Rule 44.2 requires A to make two turns promptly and in the same direction. By breaking off after the first turn and sailing to a different area, A has not exonerated herself promptly as required by rule 44.2.

Question 2
What action should the umpire take?

Answer 2
Boat A failed to take the penalty in accordance with rule 44.2. Therefore, she has not complied with rule D2.2(c). Under rule D2.2(d)(2), an umpire may now initiate a penalty without a protest from another boat. In this case it is correct to do so, and to penalize A with either one or two turns (as appropriate to the circumstances) by displaying a red flag, identifying her and hailing “one (or two) turn penalty”.

Question 3
Would the procedures be the same if A had not been given a penalty by the umpire, but rather attempted to take a voluntary penalty, except that the penalty did not comply with rule D2.1(c)?

Answer 3
No. Rule D2.2(d) does not apply when a boat takes a voluntary penalty (i.e. a single turn, no umpire signal) which does not comply with rule D2.1(c). In such a case, the umpire may not take action unless the other boat requests a decision. If the other boat does request a decision, the umpire should act in accordance with rule D2.2(b) and penalize whichever boat(s) if any he believes has broken a rule in the original incident. As no boat has exonerated herself in accordance with rule D2.1(c), the penalty will be a Two-Turns Penalty.