Quiz of the week:
Question 1,
Can the Green Leeward ROW boat prevent Red boat from crossing the starting line if the starting bell had sounded? (Note downwind start)
Question 2,
Can the Clear Ahead Red boat sail below her proper course to block the Green Keep Clear boat from overtaking the Red boat to leeward?
Answers:
1. It depends… If the Green boat established an overlap to leeward of Red within 2 hull lengths, then, at the starting bell, Rule 17 requires the Green boat to not sail above her proper course. Since the Green boat’s proper course is to sail to the 1st mark, she is required to sail that course to that mark which would required her to cross the starting line and which would allow the Red boat to also cross the line to start. If the overlap began by the Red boat overtaking the Green boat to windward, then Green boat would have full luffing rights over Red and could sail to the end of the starting line, preventing Red boat from crossing the starting line. Remember that this graphic is a downwind start!
2. Yes. Until Green boat establishes an overlap to leeward of Red, Red can attempt to block Green boat by bearing off her course and blocking Green boat. As soon as Green boat has established an overlap to leeward of Red, Rule 11 requires Red to keep clear of Green and Green is obligated under Rule 15 to allow Room and Opportunity for Red to initially keep clear of Green. After Green boat establishes an overlap with red, Rule 17 allows the Green boat sail no higher than her Proper Course. The old Rule 17 use to have a part 2 that prevented the clear ahead boat from blocking a boat attempting to pass to leeward. Rule 17 today, does not include Rule 17.2.