I don't quite understand why the rules people put in the phrase "above close hauled". I think that gets sticky a lot of times. Most boats don't have to go above close-hauled to avoid a tacker in the zone. Most boats at the end close to the mark start reaching some to get there. That leaves the door open for boats to tack in the zone.
I'm not sure I agree with that statement. If you don't bang the corners it's a pretty easy exercise to sail a tight layline. Secondly proving someone didn't have to sail above close hauled could be a very tough nut to crack.
Bottom line... coming in on the port layline and tacking at or inside circle with a crowd is a low percentage play and if you're in an aggressive fleet eventually you're going to get flicked.
Oh! Whoever came up with suicide port... Brilliant!
