Robi,

You really need to read the rule book some more.


Proper Course is a defined term in the rules.:
A course a boat would sail to finish as soon as possible in the absence of the other boats in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting signal.
(italicized words are defined terms in the rules)


Yes you can, and it's done quite often in high level events. The last race of the F-18 Worlds last year, Bundy match raced Mitch Booth right off the course to assure his win.


I would tend to agree with you there, especially for local stuff - but when you get to the real pointy end of the fleet, it is an acceptable end-game strategy.

Whenever you look at a rules situation, it's best to break it down into its individual components and think of rules switching on or off.

The first part of this scenario is straight forward windward / leeward - Rule 11:
When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.

Rule 17.1 does not apply, since the windward boat established an overlap from astern.

The leeward boat can do whatever she pleases, including going head to wind, as long as she complies with Rule 16.1 (gives the other boat room to keep clear).

As they approach the finish line, the end of the finish line is a mark and Rule 18 switches on "when boats are about to round or pass a mark they are required to leave on the same side, until they have passed it."

Rule 18.2(a) requires the leeward boat to give room to the windward boat starting at the two-boat length zone, but only just enough room to pass the mark.

Notice that there is no mention of proper course in either of these rules. Proper Course is only used in Rules 17.1, 17.2, 18.1(b) and 18.4 - none of which apply here.


This is really a fairly simple rules question - you guys have made it much more complicated than it really is.