Who's Foul? vol. 2

Watch the Video Here: https://youtu.be/AlJlkuLUFQY?t=5571

Question 1: Who's Foul in first situation where Spain (ESP) on Port ducks Australia (AUS) on Starboard?

Question 2: Who's Foul in the 2nd situation where both boats tack almost simultaneously, and ESP on Starboard then has to avoid AUS on Port.

You may penalize AUS, ESP, or call "No Foul" on each situation (as the umpires did) from the London Olympic Women's Match Racing Gold Medal final. The competition was held in the super maneuverable Elliot 6Meter Class.

Give your answers in the comments section!

My Answers:

Questions 1. Australia Breaks Rule 16.2, but there isn't a valid protest. Rule 16.2 Reads:

"In addition, when after the starting signal a port-tack boat is keeping clear by sailing to pass astern of a starboard-tack boat, the starboard tack boat shall not change course, if as a result the port-tack baot would immediately need to change course to continue keeping clear."

A little confusing? Here's the Call (ISAF Call Book for Team Racing) that explains it:

 These 2 photos show clearly that Australia heads down, necessitating a further immediate course change by Spain:

 In the 2nd frame, Australia's angle appears to be about 8 degrees lower, and she is heeling noticeably more as a result of heading down. Note that in Call D2, Yacht B breaks 16.2 with a similarly small course change between positions B3 and B4. In the Olympic race, one of the Umpire boats is in a great position to see this, however Spain doesn't protest this incident (understandable as Spain is in the midst of a tricky maneuver - ducking, dialing up and tacking) resulting in either a Green Flag or no call from the Umpires.


Question 2:  No Penalty. To understand this situation lets talk through it step by step, identify who has right of way, and what their obligations are.

*When Spain ducks Australia, Australia has right of way, she is on Starboard and Spain is on Port.

*When both boats cross head to wind, Spain now has right of way. The last sentence of Rule 13, While Tacking reads: "If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other's port side, of the one astern shall keep clear."

*When Austrailia reaches close hauled on port, she is now on a tack. Spain is not:

*The first sentence of Rule 13 reads: "After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is close hauled." So in this instant, Australia is right of way boat, and Spain is keep clear. This is critical. 

*When Spain reaches a close hauled course on starboard tack, she is right of way boat, but subject to Rule 15 Acquiring Right of Way: "when a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give he other boat room to keep clear." 

The boats are so close at this point that Australia probably cannot keep clear by reversing tack:

*Spain allows Australia to keep clear by ducking the port tack boat, so there is no foul. The Umpires on this race made a really good, high pressure call!



Im going to show you one more Call from the Call book. The picture is a little different than what transpires here, but the italicized text at the bottom sums the above situation up perfectly:

"A boat acquiring right of way may comply with Rule 15 by altering course herself." 

TR Call D3

PS: Spain went on to win the Gold Medal!! Regardless of the calls Umpires make, Sailors decide the races!!!