I am confused here. If port-starboard conflicit is immenent and port asks tack-cross? and starboard says cross, what would you do as port? Wouldn't you assume it was YOUR job to duck the S boat? Why did S duck P? Seems like a recipe for disaster! If S wanted to keep going up wouldnt' they just yell "starboard" just keep going?

In this case if X and P were up for top spot, if I were X I might consider "team racing" going on here as it seems that S was clearing the way for P to keep charging upwind instead of losing ground to S.

I say, "team racing" so DSQ for both S and P!

But then, I know nothing.