Team Race - CALL D 04      

Rule 13 While Tacking
Rule 16.1 Changing Course

Question 1
X on starboard tack crosses ahead of A on port tack on a windward leg. As A passes X's stern, X luffs, and tacks onto port. Meanwhile, after sailing behind X and while X is still on starboard, A luffs above close-hauled and heels to windward to make it difficult for X to complete her tack without making contact with A. There is contact and X protests. What should the call be?

Answer 1
After position 2 X gives up right of way, so rule 15 does not apply. A establishes a leeward overlap either instantaneously or while X is subject to rule 13, so rule 17 does not apply. As A does not alter course after position 2, rule 16 does not apply. X breaks rule 13. Penalize X.

Question 2
If A luffs after X passes head-to-wind, and as a result there is contact, will the answer still be the same?

Answer 2
It depends. After X passes head-to-wind, rule 16.1 applies to A when she changes course. If A gives X room to keep clear, but contact occurs, X breaks rule 13. Penalize X.
If A luffs without giving X room to keep clear even if X promptly reverses her tack, A breaks rule 16.1. Penalize A.