Question
The preparatory signal for a match is made before the umpires have arrived in
the course area. It is evident to the race committee on the starting line that
Yellow has failed to meet a pre-start requirement (rule C4). May the race committee
initiate a post-race hearing?
Answer
No. Such a matter is included under rule C9.3 and only the umpires may take
action.
Similarly, if the umpires had been present and they had not signalled a penalty,
again no further action could be taken.