New Rapid Response Team Racing Call

Isaf published a new Rapid Response Team Racing Call, the first one in 2014:
Available at the following link: Rapid Response TR Call 2014.001

It deals with exoneration when no boat protests:

Question
Y is overlapped on the inside of B when B enters the zone of a mark to be rounded to port. The umpires agree that Y touched the mark. No boat protests and no boat takes a penalty. What action should the umpires take?

Answer
If the umpires decide that B gave Y mark-room, they should act under rule D2.3(a) and penalise Y for breaking rule 31.

If the umpires decide that Y touched the mark because B failed to give her mark-room, they should make no signal. Y broke rule 31 by touching the mark; however, she was sailing within the mark-room to which she was entitled and is exonerated under rule 21(b).

Although B broke rule 18.2(b), she cannot be penalised under rule D2.2 because no boat protested, and rule D2.3 does not permit umpires to initiate a penalty when a boat on the other team breaks a rule of Part 2.

I think this RR Call was published because Appendix D does not have a simular rule as in Appendix C. In Match Racing that rule states:

C8.1(b) Rule 64.1(a) is changed so that the provision for exonerating a boat may be applied by the umpires without a hearing, and it takes precedence over any conflicting rule of this appendix.

Do we need wording added to Appendix D?
What do you think?
J

ISAF Rapid Response Team Racing Call 2011-001

It took some time but, then it's a whopper. The first Rapid Response Team Racing Call in 2011 was published last week by ISAF. The subject is rule 18 and mark-room and how to exploit an "unintentional consequence" in the current rules to gain an advantage for a team.

The Call explains that the way Mark-room is written at the moment, a keep-clear boat can break a right-of-way rule and be exonerated as long as she's doing it within the boundaries of "Mark-room"

RAPID RESPONSE TEAM RACING CALL 2011/001
Rule 18 Mark-Room



Question
X on starboard tack enters the zone of the finishing mark clear ahead of A. X is sailing a course that will leave about half a boat length between her and the mark. After entering the zone X slows down without changing course, and A becomes overlapped to leeward of her. X then bears away to pass close to the mark and there is no longer room for A to finish between X and the mark. A bears away and protests. What should the call be?

Answer
When X enters the zone her course is high of the mark and she is not sailing to the mark within the space allowed by the definition Mark-Room. When X bears away after she becomes windward boat, she is sailing to the mark. X breaks rule 11, but is exonerated under rule 18.5(a). No penalty.

A complies with rule 18.2(b) by giving mark-room to X. If A is unable to respond when X bears away to sail to the mark, A breaks rule 18.2(b). Penalise A. However, if X bears away so that her course will not pass on the required side of the mark, she is no longer sailing to the mark and she is not entitled to exoneration. Penalise X for breaking rule 11.

As soon as X finishes, rule D1.1(d) applies and she can no longer act to interfere with A. She must trim in to a close-hauled course and clear the finishing line.

Published September 26;
This call is valid until 1 January 2013

In normal racing the infringement of rule 11 is usually unintentionally. And the windward boat would finish in front of the leeward boat anyway, so in a fleet race this will have no effect. (Except probably agitate the persons in the leeward boat).
But in Team Racing this can be used as a "weapon" to hinder a boat from the other team, so a team member can finish before the leeward boat.

Be aware however, to make use of it now!
If the submissions of the Rule C working party are accepted this will no longer be possible in the RRS 2013-2016

SWC Kiel 2011; Day 0

Back to Kiel for another year. This will be my seventh. But since the Sailing World Cup Events have been increasingly ”upgraded” in level, no doubt this one will bring new and interesting rules situations, as well.

First Jury -meeting went smoothly, although some of our group had a hard day. The format had to be changed drastically, since the number of competitors was dramatically low. Instead of the anticipated 24, only eleven!

We are now going to do a double round robin – every boat sails twenty matches – and then use the best eight to go to quarter finals. Hopefully the weather will cooperate in letting us do the 110 matches.

Our homework from the chief: Rapid Response Call 2010-006.

Situation 1
Yellow is a leeward boat subject to rule 17. She is sailing her proper course, which is nearly 140° from the true wind angle. Blue is keeping clear. From position 1 to position 3, Yellow pulls the boom across the centreline to the starboard side of the boat, and almost immediately pulls the boom back across the centreline to the port side of the boat. The force of the pulling action back to the port side causes the mainsail to completely fill in position 2.

Question 1a: Does Yellow change tack in position 2?
Question 1b: Does Yellow gybe between positions 2 and 3?
Question 1c: Does rule 17 still apply in position 4?

Read the whole call after you’ve answered the questions:
ISAF Rapid Response Match Racing Call 2010/006

J.

RAPID RESPONSE MATCH RACING CALL 2010/006

Rule 10 On Opposite Tacks
Rule 11 On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 17 On the Same Tack; Proper Course
Definitions Tack, Starboard or Port

Situation 1:

Yellow is a leeward boat subject to rule 17. She is sailing her proper course, which is nearly 140° from the true wind angle. Blue is keeping clear. From position 1 to position 3, Yellow pulls the boom across the centreline to the starboard side of the boat, and almost immediately pulls the boom back across the centreline to the port side of the boat. The force of the pulling action back to the port side causes the mainsail to completely fill in position 2.

The Finish Trap

In last weekends Match Race one of the matches ended in a boat 'fight' between the leading yellow boat and the trailing blue boat all the way to the finish line. Yellow had an outstanding penalty and slowed down as much as possible to get Blue to commit to a side and hook them. Blue did everything (and succeeded) in staying clear astern.
Finally at the finish line Yellow ended up almost next to the committee-boat end and had to luff hard to clear the anchor and line. Blue found a gap and went in , believing there was space to go.

Yellow did not gybe back an closed the gab, although she had entered the zone clear ahead and was entitled to mark room. Blue ran a great risk of going there, but as long as Yellow allowed it....

(this picture is from the rapid response call; Yellow and Blue are opposite to our match)

We discussed the incident at the debrief and I referred to Rapid Response Match Race Call 2009-005

After a two days I received an Email from one of the sailors asking about this incident.
What if the leading boat HAD closed the trap correctly, did sail a proper course to get to the finish? The trailing boat would then be breaking rule 18.2(b), and if Yankee'd by Yellow (in our case) get a penalty. That would cancel the Yellow boat's penalty and the match would be decided by whoever crossed the finish line first.

The question the sailor wanted answered was: If in that situation the trailing boat crossed the line first, and won the match, would that constitute an infringement according to C8.3 (a)? That is, gained an advantage by breaking a rule after allowing a penalty.

My first instinct was to answer no. Because of the outstanding penalty the trailing boat already had the advantage. But the more I think about it, the more I'm in doubt.
What do you think?


I've arrived in Hamburg for Alster Acts 16 & 17 at the Hamburger Sailing Club during Easter. Hope to post nevertheless.

RR Team Racing Call 2010-002

Just when you think you got your head wrapped around the 2010 RRS changes,  the RR-panel throws you out of whack. These situations might happen most often in team racing, but it is also true in Fleet Racing. Not so much in Match racing - but that is because seldom are there more then two boats - I think.... <G>

A new RRTR Call on the ISAF site today, about when an obstruction suddenly ceases to be an obstruction.
Or when a 'right-of-way'-boat that is an obstruction, becomes a 'keep-clear'-boat that isn't (by definition).

RAPID RESPONSE TEAM RACING CALL 2010/002
Rule 11 On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 12 On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped
Rule 19 Room to Pass an Obstruction

Question 1
A and X are sailing on a broad-reach leg and are approaching Y, who is moving slowly. A’s bow is about half of a boat-length behind X’s bow and X is steering a course to pass to leeward of Y. At position 1, A hails for room to pass to leeward of Y. At position 2, X is overlapped to leeward of Y and there is no longer room for A to pass between them. A luffs to keep clear of Y and protests. What should the call be?

Situation RRTRCall 2010-002 ANI a.gif

Answer 1
No penalty. When, after position 1, boats A and X are at the obstruction Y, rule 19 requires the outside boat X to give the inside boat A room between X and Y. However, at position 2, X is no longer required to keep clear of Y and, as a result, Y is no longer an obstruction. Because Y is not an obstruction, rule 19 no longer applies between A and X, and X is therefore no longer required to give A room to pass to leeward of Y. A keeps clear of X and Y as required by rules 11 and 12, respectively.

Question 2
Similar to question 1, except that A’s bow is about half of a boat-length ahead of X’s bow and X is steering a course directly toward Y’s transom. At position 2, A becomes overlapped to windward of Y. Shortly thereafter, X bears away and passes to leeward of Y. A protests. What should the call be?

Situation RRTRCall 2010-002 ANI b.gif

Answer 2
No penalty. Rule 19 begins to apply between positions 1 and 2 when A and X are at the obstruction Y. Rule 19.1(a) gives X the right to choose which side to pass the obstruction. At the time rule 19 begins to apply, neither A nor X is outside or inside with respect to Y, and therefore rule 19.2(b) is not applicable.
At position 2, A becomes overlapped to windward of Y. A is now the outside boat, and must give X room between her and the obstruction under rule 19.2(b) if X chooses to do so. However, X chooses to go below Y. When X becomes overlapped to leeward of Y, X becomes an obstruction to A and Y and, accordingly, A must give Y room between her and X. A gives Y room as required by rule 19.2(b) and keeps clear of her as required by rule 11.

Question 3:
Similar to question 2, except that A and X are steering a course to pass to leeward of Y. At position 2, A becomes overlapped to leeward of Y. Y luffs to keep clear and protests. What should the call be?

Situation RRTRCall 2010-002 ANI c.gif

Answer 3
No penalty. A and X are sailing a proper course and therefore do not break rule 17. At position 1, A keeps clear of X as required by rule 11. At position 2, A becomes overlapped to leeward of Y. X is now an obstruction to A and Y. As the outside boat, Y must give A room between her and X, provided that she is able to do so from the time the overlap began. Y must also keep clear of A under rule 11. Y gives room and keeps clear by luffing.

Published February 25, 2010             This call is valid until 1 January 2011

In case you are wondering why X already becomes an obstruction to Y in position 2 - remember the definition of overlap. Ooh, and in all animations the coloured boats are my additions. I used TSS this time. Although the animations have improved on the screen, it doesn't translate in the gifs as of yet.


For those of you who want to download the pdf: RRTR Call 2010-002

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Heads UP: New rules videos on Sailgroove

Just a heads up -- Matt Knowles just posted three new videos on Sailgroove about the latest calls for 2010:

• Team Race Call E10, 
• Rapid Response Team Race Call 2010/001 and
• Rapid Response Match Race Call 2010/001

Or have a look at: New Rules Calls for 2010 at Sailgroove.org.

Particularly the last one - about what is sailing "to the mark" and being "at the mark" is also of interest for Fleet and Team racers.

If you want to read the official text of the publications go to new Team Race Call Book for E10, the RR Team Call 2010/001 and the RR Match Race Call 2010/001 on the ISAF Site.

The only thing I wish - as being an umpire/judge active in all disciplines - that what is applicable for one is also applicable for the other. For instance: the situation in RRTR Call 2010/001 is NOT applicable in Match Racing because of the new rule C2.12. which states that if the outside boat is not able to give mark room she does not have to.

But then again if sailing wasn't complicated - it wouldn't be half the fun it is now.

Oooh, thanks Chris, for your heads up!

New Rapid Response Calls for Match & Team Racing

New and in effect from Tuesday 4/2/10 two new Rapid Response Calls:
RR Match Racing Call 2010/001 about “When is a boat at a mark?” and
RR Team Racing Call 2010/AA about “Passing head to wind inside the zone”
RRMRCALL 2010/001
RAPID RESPONSE MATCH RACING CALL 2010/001
Definitions Mark-Room
Question 1
When is a boat entitled to mark-room sailing ‘to the mark’?
Answer 1
A boat entitled to mark-room is sailing ‘to the mark’ when she is sailing a course towards the mark, that will leave the mark on the required side, until she reaches a position where she becomes ‘at the mark’.
Question 2
When does a boat sailing ‘to the mark’ become ‘at the mark’?
Answer 2
A boat that is sailing ‘to the mark’ will be ‘at the mark’ when one or more of the following conditions apply:

• (a) She is no longer able to alter course, in a seamanlike way, towards the mark and pass it on the wrong side.
• (b) Any part of her hull overlaps the mark and she is closer than half of her hull length to the mark.
• (c) She reaches a position where she would usually alter course to round or pass the mark on the required side in order to start sailing the next leg of the course.

Published 3 February 2010        This call is valid until 1 January 2011

RRTRCALL 2010/AA
RAPID RESPONSE TEAM RACING CALL 2010/001
Rule 18.1(a) When Rule 18 Applies
Rule 18.2 Giving Mark-Room

Question:
A reaches the zone of a windward mark to be left to starboard clear ahead of X. Both boats are on starboard tack. A luffs slowly and nearly stops next to the mark. X luffs and passes head to wind, and then passes head to wind again back onto starboard tack. When X passes head to wind the second time, she is overlapped to windward of A. Is A now required to give X mark-room?
Answer:
No. X is required to give A mark-room. At position 1, A enters the zone clear ahead of X. Therefore rule 18 applies and X is required to give A mark-room under rule 18.2(b). When X passes head to wind onto port tack at position 2, rule 18 no longer applies because the boats are then on opposite tacks on a beat to windward; see rule 18.1(a). When X passes head to wind again at position 3, the boats are once again on the same tack, and rule 18 therefore applies.
Because A was clear ahead when she reached the zone at position 1, rule 18.2(b) requires the other boat thereafter to give her mark-room. This obligation remains in force provided that:

1. rule 18 applies, and
2. rule 18.2(b) is not turned off by any of the conditions in 18.2(c).

Thus, when the boats are again both on starboard tack and rule 18 reapplies, rule 18.2(b) still requires X to give mark-room to A.
Published February 4, 2010 This call is valid until 1 January 2011



Team racers of the team in boat A beware!
You’ll need to stay in that position – i.e. head to wind, until X has either tacked away or has passed astern and has established a leeward overlap BEFORE the mark room you are entitled to, includes room to tack!
If you pass head to wind before that has happened, one of the conditions in rule 18.2(c) is met and rule 18.2(b) is switched off. Making you the keep clear boat under RRS 13 WITHOUT mark-room!

Rapid Response Match Race Call 2009-010

In case I'm not able to finish my report on the last day of the Ladies Only Grade 2 Match Race event, this post will appear on the blog before E-mail subscriptions are send out Monday morning.

Have a look at the latest Rapid Response Match Race call, number 2009-010, as published on the ISAF -website

Reduction in speed is NOT in itself an 'action' within the meaning of rule 15!. This might have far-reaching consequences. I'll start thinking about if there are more 'non actions'. Perhaps you can help? Leave a comment if you find one.

ISAF Rapid Response Calls & Q&A's

One new RR MR-call and a bunch of new Q&A's have appeared on the ISAF site:

ISAF Rapid Response Match Race Call 2009-003
is about light breeze and a strong current taking an inside boat outside the zone before her proper course is to gybe.... Rules 18.4 and 17 are discussed as well as proper course

Then three Q&A's:
Racing Rules Q&A 2009-031
How may scoring mistakes be corrected after a regatta?
Answer: By the RC actually almost always.

Racing Rules Q&A 2009-032
When is a boat 'sailing on another leg'?
When does rule 23 come into play?

Racing Rules Q&A 2009-033
'How early must a boat start taking action to avoid a collision?'

This last one is from an incident at the iShares cup in Venice. We discussed it at length in the jury and there was a split. The chairman send it in first to the RYA-Appeals panel but since they don't meet until September then to the Q&A-panel of ISAF.

It is not entirely the answer I expected and - with all respect - the Q&A panel fails to give a clear enough answer, in my opinion.
But I will change the way I think about rule 14 with this as a guideline.

RR Match Race Call 2009-002

ISAF RAPID RESPONSE MATCH RACING CALL 2009/002 is about the normal place of the spinnaker when finishing.

Perhaps you recall an incident last year at the Monsoon Cup involving this very specific issue? (If not go to: Equipment in normal position? a blogpost explaining the situation in detail with photo's)

Before we can go to the Rapid Response Call, we have to look at CALL UMP 18 from the Callbook:

CALL UMP 18:
Rule C2.1 Changes to the Definitions - definition Finish
Definitions Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap

Question
At a close downwind finish, Yellow eases her spinnaker halyard, sheet and guy so that the sail is further ahead of her bow than normally. When does she finish? What action should the umpires take?Answer
Yellow finishes when her bow crosses the line. The definition Finish makes it clear that as the spinnaker is not in normal position it cannot be considered for the purpose of finishing.
Judging the finish is solely a matter for the race committee. However, if the umpires see the halyard eased they may advise the race committee, since the umpires may be in a better position to see the spinnaker before the boat crosses the finishing line.
The same reasoning would apply when two boats approach a leeward mark and there is a question about whether they are overlapped.

And now to the RR CALL 2009/002:
Definition Finish

Situation
The situation is the same as in Call UMP 18.

Question
Would the answer be different if Yellow was in the process of taking down the spinnaker?

Answer
No. A spinnaker in the process of being set or taken down is not "equipment in normal position" in the context of the definitions where this term is used.


We can all argue until we are blue in the face agreeing or disagreeing with the answer. But that's precisely why Rapid Response Calls are published; so we at least answer all the same, consistently.
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Rapid Response Team Racing Calls 2009/004 & 2009/005

New on the ISAF Website: Rapid Response Team Racing Call 2009/004 and 2009/005

The first call illustrates the application of rule D1.1(b) and answers this question:

A on starboard enters the zone of a windward mark clear ahead of X. X tacks onto port and then tacks back onto starboard. She then establishes an inside overlap with A from clear astern. Does A have to give X mark-room?

Read the answer in: RapidResponseTRCall2009004-[7186].pdf

The second is an official answer to the team race situation discovered by Chris Love from Sailgroove
and discussed earlier in this post: RRS 18.2(c) changed in US College Sailing!

The Move is Legal!
But we already knew, didn't we ?

Read the whole call here: RapidResponseTRCall2009005-[7187].pdf

New ISAF Q&A's 2009: 015 & 016

Isaf posted two new Q&A's on the website:

Racing Rules Q&A 2009-015
About rule 32 and a race committee abandoning a race for any reason. Well, not anymore! The 'any' has been restricted with this answer and rightly so.
(the link on the site is not working at the moment: here's an alternative source: Q&A2009015)

Racing Rules Q&A 2009-016
About shortening of course, finishing when the race committee is positioned at the 'wrong' end.
Get smart, don't depend on the RC doing always the right thing, you have to know the rules!

Furthermore an ISAF Rapid Response Team Racing Call 2009/002 which answers a discussion not long ago on the Sailing Anarchy Forum: A double gybe breaks the proper course 'seventeen' restriction of a leeward boat.