In really light air races, my crew jumps off the boat right after we clear the start line, and then swims back across the line and bobs there in the water waiting for me to pick him up right before the finish.

You gotta finish with the crew you start with, but nothing says you gotta drag them around the entire race course!

No person on board shall intentionally leave, except when ill or injured, or to help a person or vessel in danger, or to swim. A person leaving the boat by accident or to swim shall be back on board before the boat continues in the race.