Question
When A reaches the zone of a downwind mark to be left to port, she is
clear ahead of X, and overlapped with Y to windward. Rule 17 does not
apply between A and Y. A luffs Y away from the mark without breaking rule
16. A remains inside the zone, and then gybes and returns to prevent X
from rounding the mark inside her. After the gybe, A luffs quickly, clearly
above her proper course to round the mark, without giving X room to keep
clear. There is contact between A and X. There is a protest. What should
the call be?
Answer Because X was clear astern of A at the zone, rule 18.2 requires that
she thereafter give A mark-room. Although rule 18 continues to apply while
either of the boats are in the zone, the exoneration in rule 18.5(b) only
applies to A's alteration of course as long as it is consistent with rounding
the mark on her proper course. Because A's alteration of course to position
6 is not consistent with her proper course, she breaks rule 16.1 by not
giving X room to keep clear. Penalize A.
X is required by rule 11 to keep clear of A. However, if the umpires decide
that X would have kept clear if A had not broken rule 16.1, X will be
exonerated under rule 64.1(c) for that breach. If the umpires decide that
X was not keeping clear irrespective of the luff by A, penalize both;
A for breaking rule 16.1 and X for breaking rule 11.
When rule 18.2(b) applies between two boats and the boat entitled
to mark-room is taking the mark-room to which she is entitled, she will be exonerated
under rule 18.5 (b) for breaking rule 16.1 when her change of course is consistent
with rounding the mark on her proper course.