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.