Can you "unwind" yourself if you have sailed through a closed line? I thought it was a DSQ but can not find anything that says that.

yes I believe that you can. (certified race committee told me I could)
Dave

Depends (should depend) on what the sailing instructions say.

You can unwind yourself if you do it before rounding any other marks.

Of course anything can be changed by sailing instructions. In order for the line to be closed it has to state that in the sailing instructions.

Mike Hill
Tiger #1520

Here is what the SIs said. The blue flag was up all day.

I have been looking at them and the rule book and can find nothing to say either way.

9. START / FINISH LINE OBSTRUCTION
9.1 START LINE OBSTRUCTION: The Start Line shall rank as an obstruction for fleets previously started while other fleets are starting and in sequence until after the last fleet has successfully started.

9.2 FINISH LINE OBSTRUCTION: The Finish Line shall rank as an obstruction when a Blue flag or shape is displayed on the Race Committee boat at the finish line for boats not finishing.

That is a standard sailing instruction. Yes you can unwind as long as you do it prior to rounding any other marks.

Mike Hill
Tiger #1520

Technically you should be able to unwind after rounding a mark too - but you have to unwind the mark rounding and the start/finish line error then start again. As long as by the end of the race, you can treat your path like a string, tighten it and get the proper course, you're fine. However, by that time, what's the point?