The Olympics use this kind of finish on some of their downwind courses. See https://paris2024.sailing.org/racing/documents/. In their SI’s, 9.1 directs the reader to addendum C and D for the course diagram and mark rounding order/direction/etc. Reading these, it’s clear the last mark before the dog leg is just that, a mark, not a gate. If I had to write SI’s to include a dog leg, this is how I’d do it now.

I’d agree that SI 8.3 in the event in question here should be deleted.

Interesting that the ILCA Worlds wrote their SI’s that way as that course description clearly describes a gate. That said, I don’t believe the “strings” are strings per se for the purposes of RRS 28, but instead “direction arrows” (for lack of a better term) as visual aids. It’s the mark order and rounding direction that’s written that’s important.

Makes sense. If you find the spreadsheet I’d appreciate you sharing it with me or the group. 

I will attemp a guide next week, at an event at the moment. 

Ben,

1. I enclose an extract of relevant portion of Case 50.

A starboard-tack boat in such circumstances need not hold her course so as to

she does so she will break rule 14.

The fact that L took action to avoid collision at a time when W also initiated action implies there was an apprehension in the mind of L. W, as per me, took the action late.

2.  Case 50 does not say anywhere that it can be applied to rule 11.

Thanks for your thoughts, @Christopher Walmsley.  To the question you pose regarding the situation where Yellow is 'moving slowly, or almost stationary' then I would suggest Blue has the option to 'pass' on either side but then has to satisfy 19.2 (a) and 19.2 (b).  Presumably if Blue chose to bear off and 'pass' a slow moving (or stationary) Yellow on their port side, remaining on port gybe, she is obligated to leave room for Green to do the same, 'unless she has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began.'   In our scenario, however, I would contend that they were unable to 'pass' Yellow by bearing off and only had one side they could have chosen. to 'pass'.  I do think they exercised a third option .... to 'avoid' by gybing which, as ROW boat they were free to do.  If they chose instead to 'pass' Yellow on their starboard side (the only side they could 'pass' the obstruction in this case) by heading up, then Green is burdened potentially both by RRS 11 but also by 19.2 (b).

That leads to one further question in my mind.  We don't know how the overlap between Blue and Green came about, however if Blue came from behind to establish the overlap (before the diagram starts), are they relieved of their obligation under RRS 17 with regard to Green by RRS 19.2 (b)?   She certainly sails above her proper course to take Yellow's stern if she heads up to do so.