Ok, someone help me out here with "my perception" of a part of the rule.

Understanding up front, that given the closure speeds of spinny catamarans in a good breeze, the following may be impractical if not impossible.

It has always been my impression that once a ROW boat has hailed "Starboard" and the burdened boat has acknowledged that hail, with "Hold your Course", any additional course changes by the ROW boat that would prevent the burdened boat from keeping clear are if not against the rules, at the very least poor sportsmanship.

For that reason, while I ask my crew to advise me of an approaching boat even when we are the ROW boat, sometimes I do not hail, as due to tactical considerations I may not want to enforce my rights.

When I am the burdened boat and the ROW boat hailed for her rights, I always reply with "Hold Your Course". Not "OK" or "sure", or "i see you". By acknowledging with "hold your course" I feel as if I can make a change in course to prevent the collision, and not have to worry about a collision if I am then distracted from the approaching boat.

Lastly, given the radical change in sailing angles that changes in wind speed dictate on spinnaker boats when sailing downwind this is MUCH more difficult. But since BOTH skippers were experienced sailors on spinnaker cats it seems as tho there should be some discussion on how that particular problem could or should have been handled differently. The bottom line, for me anyway, is how do we sail fairly, safely and competitively, and avoid misunderstandings, collisions, and time spent in a protest room rather than socializing with friends.
I would also like to say that I am acquainted with both skippers and I am totally impressed with the way they have carried on the discussion. They have been respectful of one another and so far it has been a great thread to follow and learn from.

Stephen