Hunting is legal (to a point) in match racing.
Can make things a bit more interesting.
You've got to know your rules and ump calls - but when you've never seen anything like these two boats race before, how do you make the call?
I'm pretty sure that the only match racing rules that applied were the starts and the penalty system (and the last minute decision by the PRO to have starboard roundings). Fleet racing rules applied in all other areas - done so apparently out of concern for safety and handling. Alinghi couldn't hunt BMWO on that crossing because fleet racing rules applied there.
The other problem is that both boats tacked so slowly and when you are tacking, you have no rights until the new tack is established.
BMWO nailed the layline which kept Alinghi from being able to tack underneath them. They were too close to BMWO to be able to tack on their line because they wouldn't have get through the tack without incurring a penalty. Lastly, if they tacked too close above BMWO's line, BMWO could have (potentially) gotten a lift and/or steered more to weather also incurring a penalty to Alinghi. Alinghi had to get far enough away from BMWO to do her tack.
