You're all making great points about windage, but please get on a signal boat and watch an Opti start in 4 knots of wind, with a foul ripping current. It's amazing how fast the current will push you backwards. And, as JW mentioned, waves can do the same thing.
As for Ding's question, as in any protest, what comes out of the room depends on so many things. Such as, strength of testimony from the parties, experience of the judges, etc.
On monohulls, it might be easier to win a protest as a leeward boat, but our cats are so fast that you'll likely be past the windward boat, or in contact, well before the windward guy can sheet in and get moving, even if he acts immediately. Depends on conditions, too, but largely, this is a losing maneuver for a leeward boat for so many reasons (as Matt touched on earlier).
Mike
been there, done that, am a part time Opti coach and well aware of what can happen and how much fun it can be, I have some great video of leeward mark rounds in south east champs a few years back when the wind died with 80 boats rounding....
Thanks for the clarity, always happy to learn.
