| Rule 17.2 infraction sailing the centerboard regatta in Austin. I was sailing downwind to windward of Bill, when about 50 yards from the leward mark decided to make a tatical decision to sail by the lee below his bow. I crossed him by about 2 feet. He never altered course and I was clear ahead. As a matter a fact he was totally unaffected by this action, but rule 17.2 states the following: 17.2 Except on a beat to windward, while a boat is less than two of her hull lengths from a leeward boat or a boat clear astern steering a course to leeward of her, she shall not sail below her proper course unless she gybes. He and Eric both claimed I broke this rule, in fact I didn't because of what proper course is. The definition of proper course is the following: Proper Course A course a boat would sail to finish as soon as possible in the absence of the other boats referred to in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting signal. At the protest hearing I had to prove the point that I was sailing my proper course. The fact that boats on the opposite side were gaining on us was just enough justification. I had my witness come in and prove the point that he passed 4 boats on that leg by going to the other side. Bill's witness Eric claims that there wasnt any reason for me going over there and that I was only doing it to gain inside at the mark. This is all speculation and why cant people just win a race based on boatspeed and tatics. It reminds me of people who sue because they burnt their tongue on coffee at McDonalds, no difference. Well anyways the point is I should have just jybed and the outcome would have been the same. |
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