Case 128
Definition, Finish
Rule 28.2, Sailing the Course
Rule 31, Touching a Mark
Rule A5, Scores Determined by the Race Committee
If a boat makes an error under rule 28.2 or breaks rule 31 at the finishing line and finishes without correcting her error or taking a penalty, she must be scored points for the place in which she finished. She can only be penalized for breaking rule 28.2 or rule 31 if she is protested and the protest committee decides that she broke the rule.
Facts for Question 1
All the boats in a race, with the exception of boat A, sailed to the finishing line from the last mark and then finished by crossing the line from its course side leaving the committee vessel to starboard and mark F to port. As shown in the diagram, A left mark F to starboard, bore away, sailed completely to the course side of the finishing line, and, shortly after position 3, finished. A then sailed into the harbour. Members of the race committee observed A sail the course shown in the diagram. The rules of Appendix A applied.


Question 1
What should the race committee do in this situation?

Answer 1
The race committee is required by rule A4.1 to score A points for the place in which she finished.

To comply with rule 28.2, a string representing a boat's track must, when drawn taut, pass mark F on the required side. A made an error under rule 28 at the line because the string representing her track, when drawn taut, passes mark F on the wrong side. A did not correct that error, and therefore she broke rule 28.2. As rule A5 states, only the protest committee may penalize A for her breach. Therefore, A can be penalized only if a valid protest is made against her and the protest committee decides that she broke the rule.

As rule 60.2(a) states, the race committee may protest A. If it decides to do so, it must inform her that it intends to protest and deliver its written protest within the time limit of rule 61.3 (see rule 61.1(b)). In addition, the protest committee or a boat may protest A.

Facts for Question 2
The race committee observes boat B touch the finishing mark as she crosses the finishing line. B does not take a penalty and sails into the harbour.


Question 2
What should the race committee do?

Answer 2
B finished when she crossed the finishing line just before position 2. The race committee is required by rule A4.1 to score B points for the place in which she finished.

As rule 60.2(a) states, the race committee may protest B. If it decides to do so, it must inform her that it intends to protest and deliver its written protest within the time limit of rule 61.3 (see rule 61.1(b)). In addition, the protest committee or a boat, if the boat saw B touch the mark, may protest B (see rules 60.1(a) and 60.3(a)).

World Sailing 2013
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