This came up in the Soling Nationals--not as a protest but as a discussion following an interaction that was not protested.
The course had a leeward gate. The finish was a downwind "Dogleg" finish off the starboard bow of the signal boat (opposite side as the start line. The signal boat would be left to Starboard by boats finishing. The gate is specified as "2p" (left hand turn) or "2s," right hand turn. On the way to the downwind finish, the course chart specifies "...2p-F." So, you must leave the course-right gate to port and sail to the finish.
On the last downwind, two port tack boats are heading to pass between the gate and head to finish. A Starboard tack boat will need to gybe after leaving 2p to head to the finish. But, while on starboard, is on collision course with the Port boats. 

Rule 18.4 says:
"When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark to sail her proper course, until she gybes she shall sail not further from the mark than needed to sail that course.  Rule 18.4 does not apply at a gate mark."

Question 1: does rule 18.4 apply at this mark? It's called a gate mark in the SIs. But is it a gate in this case or just a single mark to be left to port? Bear in mind that we as judges are not supposed to do much interpretation: just apply the rule as written. So, while I might think the last sentence of 18.4 is there because Starboard could choose to sail to the 2s mark to round and is entitled to do so. But this is not the case here. So, it's not a gate on this leg. 
Or, should I say that it is defined as a gate in the SIs and therefore rule 18.4 does not apply and S can sail as far as she wants, forcing the port tack boats to gybe or take her stern.

The other level is how far could be considered proper course? The boats are not rounding to go back upwind. S could claim they wanted to sail a couple of BL farther to sail a hotter angle to the finish. That was their proper course. 

Thoughts?