I think you have your thinking backwards here. If you got a good start at the pin you already have ROW. If you tack to port you will of course lose it. If you get to windward of the fleet you will lose it. You have ROW over all of the boats behind and to windward of you. You are leeward boat. You might be clear ahead of many boats. You are on starboard tack. You can choose to point or foot at will. Everybody between you and the committee boat is under your control. All other things being equal, a square line, neither side of the course favored, no issues with current, then the pin is the place to be.
Sorry, but I have to disagree again. If everything is equal, then anywhere in clear air with a clear lane is the place to be (and preferably in the middle). If you start on the far left, then everybody else controls your tack. I don't think that is often a winning strategy. If you want to go left, then go left, but don't let everybody else force you there.
Regards,
Eric
