Racing Rules Corner
John Croydon has produced his second Racing Rules. Members can respond to this article in the Forum section
RACING RULES CORNER 2 - THE START
I think most people have problems with the start because a couple of the rules change during the starting procedure.
However, let’s first have a look at the definition of “start” in the rules, because some people get a little confused about when they actually start a race. You have to have been totally on the pre-start side of the line after the starting signal (and taken any penalties you might have picked up) and you “start” as soon as any part of the boat, crew or equipment then crosses the start line in the right direction.
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Now let’s look at the definition of “proper course”, which states that:- “A boat has no proper course before the starting signal.” (Note that this specifies the starting signal and not starting, as mentioned above.) This is important in the application of Rule 17, which limits a leeward boat from sailing above her “proper course” when overlapping a windward boat within two of her hull lengths. Pretty clear in open water after the start because “proper course” is defined (and understood ?). However, before the start, having no proper course, a boat in a Rule 17 situation may luff right up to head-to-wind, and this gives rise to most of the starting incidents that end in the protest room. ( But don’t forget that, after the starting signal, wherever you are, the leeward boat can sail no higher than close-hauled.) However, the leeward boat is still obliged by Rule 15 to give “room”, and by Rule 14 to avoid contact; but it is sensible, if you are the windward boat, to be aware that you must “keep clear” (Rule 11) and be very ready to do so. All this emphasises the importance of the Race Officer setting a good square starting line to thus avoid the bunching of boats at one end of the line that so often gives rise to these situations.
Another complication comes just before the starting signal because Rules 18.1a & 19.2 both mention the period when boats “….are approaching (starting “marks” surrounded by navigable water) to “start”……” . This is easy to apply in a one-design fleet whereas, in a handicap fleet, a slow boat might claim to be about to start several minutes before the start signal by being on starboard tack a hundred yards out on the lay line to the committee boat ! Bryan Willis’s Rule Book talks about boats “milling about” before this begins to apply for most boats, probably about thirty seconds or so before the start, and you cannot go far wrong by observing the rules of Part 2 of the RRS as you would during the rest of the race. In this “milling about” period before boats are about to start the committee boat is an obstruction and Rule 19.1 applies. This means that an overlapped leeward boat may hail for room to tack. However, when approaching the line to start, Rule 18 does not apply (Rule 18.1a) and Rule 19.2 does. An overlapped windward boat is then not entitled to room at the starting mark (usually the committee boat) and, indeed, the leeward boat may luff up to head-to-wind before the starting signal, or to close hauled afterward, to deny this room – always giving time and opportunity for the windward boat to keep clear or, if the committee boat is in her way, bearing off enough to avoid damage or injury (Rule 14) but immediately to protest. So, bargers beware !!
J.C.
