Reply to: 21550 - Loic Durand Raucher

Loïc regarding A5.1 ..

Finish is part of Sailg the Course. A boat that has not finished has not sailed the course. It's A5.1(a). 

Ang,

In the scenario described, the Race Committee thinks or is sure boat A touched the finishing mark.

The RC doesn't have time or capacity or ability to think about the situation. It HAS TO score boat A to its finishing order. 

If the RC writes this finishing order twice, it HAS TO score boat A at its second crossing, proper penalty taken or not.

If RC score boat A at its first finish, no other choice than prostesting, or, If RC, according to RRS 90.3.c consider it has made a mistake, it has to change the finishing order to the second crossing (only if proper penalty). Then wait for a request of redress from a boat.

If RC protest, the PC could decide an improper action of RC and re-install boat A to its first finishing order, then open a new protest (according RRS 63.2.b) from RC against boat A and decide its score has to be changed to the second crossing (or to DNF if no proprer penalty).

A lot of writing, papers, stress, and wasting time. But that's the job ?!!!

In sailing, (if not always in american life now), facts are facts.

Loïc

A lot of chat for a rather simple case.

To me... there are 2 halves to OPs question...

1st half - was Red racing?  Yes.  Her stern was still on the finish line when she broke rule 10.

2nd half - Did Red tack and gybe in accordance with 44.2...namely 'promptly' after the incident? This question is subject to the protest system, just like any other allegation of a breach of a rule not exonerated.

So the RC registers her second crossing i.a.w. Finish (a), and if anyone (RC or another boat) is unhappy about it, they can protest her for not exonerating 'promptly'.  Otherwise her 2nd crossing finish stands.

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As for the r23.1 discussion, Racing is a time-block from time-a to time-b.  Once you pass time-b it's over.  You can't restart.  If Red had met the interpretation of Case 127, then she was past time-b.  Not racing.

If a boat not racing breaks a rule, then apply RRS 60.5(c)

If a boat has broken a rule when not racing, her penalty shall apply to the race sailed nearest in time to the incident.

What am I missing?

Yes you can only postpone before the start. You can do it in the last second. 
You start when the flag is removed so, if this had a few seconds delay, the start would be late but there is the posability of postponment. 

Just follow the procedure and be practical. 

But, unless I am misreading the original post, the “restricted finish” in this case is 2/3 of the way up the course and nowhere near the starting area. The only boats playing in that area are the 18s and the H16s would only be there when finishing. So, again, I’ll ask, what issue are we trying to resolve by restricting this finish?

Agree.  As long as it's getting our of RRoS ok.