17. Facts found: Lunch Bunny and The Five-Cow Lady were both on port tack with Lady about five lengths to leeward and ahead of Bunny as shown in the first diagram on the left

As they passed the Committee boat, Lady was hailed as a premature starter by the RC. She tacked and called "Starboard" on Bunny. The latter informed Lady that as a premature starter, she had no rights.  Lady bore off to avoid a collision and lodged a valid protest.

.....
Decision: Rule 22 (Starting Errors, ...) does not apply until a boat is clearly sailing back towards the start line. Lady therefore had right-of-way under rule 10, and Lunch Bunny is DSQ.

.....
case #18
return to Quiz Index