....the SI rule 11.5 is really quite clear in context and intent that "there should be 5 knots or better at all marks of the course at the start as determined by the Race Committee"...
That quote came from a post by Jake.
Now, I don't pretend to know a lot about rules, but I do know a lot about the meaning of words. If the sailing instruction says "should" rather than "shall," it is not a rule -- it is merely a suggestion. And that makes the protest committee's decision even more inexplicable.
