Judges must remember to police all rule 42 infringements, even those not mentioned
above, such as propelling a boat by fending off others and decreasing speed by
dragging feet or the body in the water.
This is a snip from the judges manual found on the sailing.org website.
Rule 42 Manual That is a good reference. One can also look to the
ISAF Rule 42 Interpretations which includes:
"42.1 Basic Rule
Except when permitted in rule 42.3 or 45, a boat shall compete by using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed. Her crew may adjust the trim of sails and hull, and perform other acts of seamanship, but shall not otherwise move their bodies to propel the boat.
INTERPRETATIONS
42–01 An action which is not listed in rule 42.2 may be prohibited under rule 42.1.
42–02 A kinetic technique not listed in rule 42.2 that propels the boat, and is not one of the permitted actions covered in rule 42.1, is prohibited.
42–03 An action prohibited in rule 42.2 cannot be considered as permitted under rule 42.1.
1
42–04 Any single action of the body that propels the boat (in any direction) with the effect of one stroke of a paddle is prohibited."
If, by putting your foot in the water, you create the effect of one stroke of a paddle, you break RRS 42.1.
Now, putting a leg in the water is a fairly common technique to hold one's position at the start. Unfortunately, if the cumulative effect is as much as one stroke of a paddle, then it is not legal. I've never seen or heard of anyone being protested for that, but we are expected to follow the rules (see Rules preamble) even in the absence of a protest.
Regards,
Eric
