Originally Posted by Team_Cat_Fever
Originally Posted by ksurfer2
[quote=maritimesailorWhile I have your attention, whoever it is out there who thinks you can back up to the line when called over early, you have NO rights when doing so, please don't do this unless you are not in anyone's way (which, if you were over early, is highly unlikely).

I 100% agree with you on this. HOWEVER.....There was a rules seminar done by the judge at last years F18 North Americans. He was of the opinion that you could back up with rights (His rational was that if you went head to wind without tacking, then you were still on startboard tack, and that boats behind you are technically overtaking you......so, you had rights). If there are more judges out there with that opinion, then it could get intersting in the room!


Randy used it as a standard starting tactic in the Olympics. Then it was banned. Don't know where in the new rules or if it's in there but the old rules had a specific for it. Matt, Isotope, Bru, ??? You guys know this stuff way better than me.

Jake , If you're going to park your boat and don't want to anticipate a competitors actions then you better be head to wind or your out of luck. The whole point of the maneuver is to get you stalled. The whole point of sailboat racing is to predict what's going to happen and use it to you advantage.
You're starting to sound a little whiny. Enough, maybe, to test your retention of what you've learned here,If we ever get lined up next to each other again. wink


I'm not trying to be whiny (thought I do trend to that sometimes!)....but there is a clear distinction on the rule requirements that some are confusing this with what they believe you "should" do tactically (and they're jumping to some conclusions about the situation).

This is simple (and now I understand it): As per the rules, I am not required to take any action until overlap is established and the leeward boat's intentions are clear (both items). His intentions can be established by the direction of his boat and/or hailing (or both). He has to give me time and opportunity after these two conditions have been presented for me to avoid him. This is the only way to look at right and wrong. Any ensuing disagreement/infraction about the situation comes down to: did I react fast enough and did he give me enough time to react after overlap was established.

Did it make sense for me to sit in a vulnerable position with a competitor behind me? It did to me then. At the time, that leeward boat wasn't the competitor I was going after and I was trying to stay within striking distance of the guy I wanted (waiting for him to establish his starting intention) while having the spot on the line I wanted within reach if I couldn't go after my target. Again, remember that there are only 5 boats on a line designed for 30 with plenty of wind and time to kill...it's not like I couldn't wiggle out of just about anything someone threw at me... I could have still made two 360's to get clear and hit the line with speed if I needed to.

Did it make sense for the leeward boat to do head me up? - Even though I didn't see it coming, I would say yeah, probably. I was the guy they were going after and if he could get me shaken up on the start early, he might have an advantage...so while I wasn't expecting it, I certainly don't fault him for it. He was well within the rules.


Jake Kohl