Unless the boat that protested the incident was in some way involved in the incident, or unless the NOR had been amended, then you could have been the wise guy who asks for the protest to be ruled invalid.

But I submit that the temperature of vexation may have increased even more :)

Tony, Exactly:  as diagrammed there's a whole ocean of room for B to avoid hitting the mark.

Ang, I don't want to go on with debating the merits of the hand/foot proposition until I see the opinions of some more experienced RRS 42 judges.

I've always taken it as the canonical example of impermissible decrease the speed.

Phil, How do you conclude that W was not required to act to avoid contact until it became clear that L was not keeping clear?

L was the right of way boat.  She was not  required to keep clear.

W was not entitled to room.

Niko: I like your "the RC should always work to have an appropriate level of management commensurate with the competition level/importance" comment.

There is one event that may partner and I run every year ... the Warneet Around French Island race. While Monica runs the briefing giving numerous examples of the flags used during the start sequence there is usually an America's Cup skipper sitting quietly and respectfully at the back of the room with his family or mates. At the other end of the spectrum we have some who have NEVER raced before or perhaps doing their second race since last year.

During this race I tend to be very chatty on the radio to be sure that even those with the least experience have a great day on the water.

One boat in his first year actually missed the starting line, but we considered him a starter. The next year his missed the finishing line but we gave him a finish regardless. He was so pleased that he got the start right the second year ;-)

That said, it is quite a different matter if I am running a one-design race.