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Racing Rules Weekly Quiz

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Each week this season, we will offer a “quiz” question regarding the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Read the scenario below, formulate your answer, then move your mouse over the box to reveal the correct answer.

Need further explanation?
something we can discuss on the porch on Sunday.

This Week's Question

Two 18-foot boats, L (a leeward boat) and W (a windward boat), are approaching the left-hand end of the starting line, which is a 16-foot powerboat. When W is three lengths from the end of the line, L becomes overlapped on W to leeward from clear astern. There are six seconds to go before the starting signal. L slowly luffs and W keeps clear. As L reaches close-hauled, the starting signal is made. L is a boat length from the powerboat and will not clear it sailing close-hauled. She luffs to head to wind, shooting up and around the powerboat, and then bears away to a close-hauled course. W keeps clear through- out, and protests L for sailing above close-hauled after the starting signal. You are on the protest committee: how would you decide this?

Answer

Boat W’s protest is disallowed. The 16-foot powerboat ranks as both a “mark” and an “obstruction” to the 18-foot boats (see the definitions Mark and Obstruction). The preamble to Part 2, Section C, At Marks and Obstructions, states that the rules of Section C, which include rule 18, Mark-Room, and rule 19, Room to Pass an Obstruction, do not apply “at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water.” Therefore the situation is governed by the rules of Sections A and B. L becomes overlapped to leeward from clear astern of W. Therefore, rule 17, On the Same Tack; Proper Course, requires her to not sail above her proper course. Before the starting signal L has no proper course (see the definition Proper Course); therefore she is free to sail up to head to wind, provided that when she changes course she gives W room to keep clear (rule 16.1, Changing Course). After the starting signal, L is required to not sail above her proper course. In this case her “proper course” (the course she would choose in order to sail the course and finish as soon as possible in the absence of W) is to luff head to wind, coast past the powerboat and then bear away to a close-hauled course (see the definition Proper Course). L sails no higher than this course, and there- fore does not break rule 17. And while she is changing course, L gives W room to keep clear under rule 16.1 as demonstrated by W’s performance. W correctly keeps clear under rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped.
This quiz was excerpted from Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes available from US Sailing. For a comprehensive explanation of the rules, read Dave Perry’s Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2024, which is also available from US Sailing. Permission to reprint this quiz for non commercial use is granted by the author.

Racing Rules Weekly Quiz

by

Each week this season, we will offer a “quiz” question regarding the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Read the scenario below, formulate your answer, then move your mouse over the box to reveal the correct answer.

Need further explanation?
something we can discuss on the porch on Sunday.

This Week's Question

In a post-race conversation, the helmsman of Boat X complains to a member of the protest committee that he clearly saw another boat in his race, Boat Y, touch the gybe mark and not take a penalty turn. The protest committee member therefore decides to protest Y for an alleged breach of rule 31, Touching a Mark. Y is informed that she is being protested, and the protest is filed within the time limit. You are on the protest committee: how do you decide this?

Answer

The protest is not valid and therefore its hearing should be closed under rule 63.5, Validity of the Protest or Request for Redress. Rule 60.3, Right to Protest; Right to Request Redress or Rule 69 Action, governs the action by the protest committee in this case, and states that a protest committee cannot protest as a result of a report from a person who has a conflict of interest (with an exception that doesn't apply in this case). Because all the requirements for a protest have not been met, the protest is not valid. When competitors witness alleged breaches of the rules, and they want the incident to go to a hearing, they must act themselves according to rule 60.1, Right to Protest; Right to Request Redress or Rule 69 Action.
This quiz was excerpted from Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes available from US Sailing. For a comprehensive explanation of the rules, read Dave Perry’s Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2024, which is also available from US Sailing. Permission to reprint this quiz for non commercial use is granted by the author.

Racing Rules Weekly Quiz

by

Each week this season, we will offer a “quiz” question regarding the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Read the scenario below, formulate your answer, then move your mouse over the box to reveal the correct answer.

Need further explanation?
something we can discuss on the porch on Sunday.

This Week's Question

Red and Green are sailing upwind. Red starts to bear off to go behind Green. Green also bears off. Red then heads up, and Green also heads up. There was no contact. Which boat should promptly take a penalty?

Answer

Green broke Rule 16.1, Changing Course, which states, in part, that when a port-tack boat is keeping clear by passing astern of a starboard-tack boat, the starboard-tack boat shall not change course if as a result the port-tack boat would immediately need to change course to continue keeping clear. At position 3, Green changed course, forcing Red to immediately change course to keep clear. Note that at position 2, even though Green changed course, no foul occurred, since Red did not immediately need to change course in response.

This quiz was borrowed from the Inland Lake Yachting Association‘s #FairSailing initiative 
Learn more at sailzing.com

Racing Rules Weekly Quiz

by

Each week this season, we will offer a “quiz” question regarding the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Read the scenario below, formulate your answer, then move your mouse over the box to reveal the correct answer.

Need further explanation?
something we can discuss on the porch on Sunday.

This Week's Question

Two 25-foot boats, L (a leeward boat) and W (a windward boat), are approaching the right-hand end of the starting line, a 30-foot powerboat, to start an upwind leg. Both boats are beam reaching, with L on a course to pass one length to leeward of the race committee boat. Twenty seconds before the starting signal and when two lengths from the race committee boat, L hails, “No room! Don’t go in there!” to W. Both boats hold their courses until W is overlapped to leeward of the race committee boat. At that point L luffs and W makes con- tact nearly simultaneously with both L and the committee boat. There is dam- age to the starboard side of L but not serious damage. Both boats protest each other. You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this?

Answer

Boat L is penalized under rules 14, Avoiding Contact, and 16.1, Changing Course. The preamble to Part 2, Section C, At Marks and Obstructions, states that rules 18, Mark-Room, 19, Room to Pass an Obstruction and 20, Room to Tack at an Obstruction, do not apply “at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or at its anchor line from the time the boats are approaching them to start...”. Therefore the situation is governed by the rules in Sections A and B. At the time W becomes overlapped to leeward of the race committee boat, she is keeping clear of L in compliance with rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped (Section A rule). Rule 16.1 requires L, as a right-of-way boat, to give W room to keep clear of her when she changes her course (Section B rule). When L luffs, there is not room (space) for W to comply with the Part 2 rules and rule 31, Touching a Mark, due to the physical presence of the race committee boat (see the definition Room). Therefore L breaks rule 16.1. W breaks rules 11 and 31 but is exonerated (freed from penalty) by rule 43.1(b), Exoneration. L also breaks rule 14 for failing to avoid a collision, and is penalized under that rule because the contact results in damage to herself. However, from the time L begins to luff, it is not possible for W to avoid contact; therefore W does not break rule 14. Had L wanted to prevent W from passing between her and the committee boat, she should have luffed sooner while W was still able to respond to her luff without making contact with the committee boat (see World Sailing Cases 114 and 146).
This quiz was excerpted from Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes available from US Sailing. For a comprehensive explanation of the rules, read Dave Perry’s Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2024, which is also available from US Sailing. Permission to reprint this quiz for non commercial use is granted by the author.

Racing Rule Weekly Quiz

by

Each week this season, we will offer a “quiz” question regarding the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Read the scenario below, formulate your answer, then move your mouse over the box to reveal the correct answer.

Need further explanation?
something we can discuss on the porch on Sunday.

This Week's Question

Thirty seconds before the starting signal, Boat W is nearly wayless, her sails flapping. About one length prior to becoming overlapped to leeward, Boat L hails, “Leeward boat!” W takes no evasive action. One second after L becomes overlapped to leeward of W, L has to bear away to avoid contact with W. W begins trimming her sails and heading up immediately after the overlap is established. L protests. The protest committee finds that W, having been given adequate warning of the impending situation, fails to keep clear of a leeward boat, thereby breaking rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped. W appeals. You are on the appeals committee; how would you decide this?

Answer

Boat W’s appeal is sustained; neither boat is penalized. Adequate time for response is incorporated into rule 15, Acquiring Right of Way, by its requirement to initially allow a newly obligated boat “room to keep clear.” This rule does not require a boat clear ahead to anticipate her requirement to keep clear as a wind- ward boat before the boat clear astern becomes overlapped to leeward. When L becomes overlapped and therefore the right-of-way boat, rule 15 requires her to give W “room to keep clear,” which she does by immediately bearing away and giving W space to maneuver away from her. Though W is momentarily breaking rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped, when L has to change course to avoid contact, W is trimming her sails and heading up; therefore she is sailing within the room she is entitled to, and is exonerated (freed from penalty) for breaking rule 11 by rule 43.1(b), Exoneration. Thereafter she keeps clear, fulfilling her obligation under rule 11. (See US Sailing Appeal 119 and World Sailing Case 53.)
This quiz was excerpted from Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes available from US Sailing. For a comprehensive explanation of the rules, read Dave Perry’s Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2024, which is also available from US Sailing. Permission to reprint this quiz for non commercial use is granted by the author.

Racing Rules Weekly Quiz

by

Each week this season, we will offer a “quiz” question regarding the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Read the scenario below, formulate your answer, then move your mouse over the box to reveal the correct answer.

Need further explanation?
something we can discuss on the porch on Sunday.

This Week's Question

Red is sailing upwind toward Green, who is sailing downwind. As they approach each other, Red calls for right of way. Green does not respond, so Red changes course to avoid Green. Which boat(s) should promptly take a penalty?

Answer

Green should take a penalty. Both boats are on the same tack (port). Neither boat is clear ahead, so the boats are overlapped. Therefore, Rule 11 applies. Green is the windward boat and must keep clear of Red.

This quiz was borrowed from the Inland Lake Yachting Association‘s #FairSailing initiative 
Learn more at sailzing.com

Racing Rules Weekly Quiz

by

Each week this season, we will offer a “quiz” question regarding the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Read the scenario below, formulate your answer, then move your mouse over the box to reveal the correct answer.

Need further explanation?
something we can discuss on the porch on Sunday.

This Week's Question

True or False? You can be penalized if you do not avoid contact with another boat, even if you have the right of way.

Answer

TRUE - Rule 14 states, “A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible.” As a right-of-way boat, you can be penalized under this rule if you did not take action to avoid contact and the contact causes damage or injury.

This quiz was borrowed from the Inland Lake Yachting Association‘s #FairSailing initiative 
Learn more at sailzing.com

Racing Rules Weekly Quiz

by

Each week this season, we will offer a “quiz” question regarding the Racing Rules of Sailing.  Read the scenario below, formulate your answer, then move your mouse over the box to reveal the correct answer.

Need further explanation?
something we can discuss on the porch on Sunday.

This Week's Question

Boat Q, a doublehanded trapeze boat, wins the race. On shore, Q is listed as OCS on the score sheet. Q makes a scoring request to the race committee and is told that, though her hull was not over the starting line, her crew’s head and shoulders were on the course side of the starting line when she went out on the trapeze seconds before the starting signal. Q requests redress. You are on the protest committee: how do you decide this?

Answer

Boat Q is entitled to redress under rules 62.1(a), Redress, and 64.3, Decisions on Redress. She should be scored in her finishing place. The definition Start says that a boat starts: “…when, her hull having been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her starting signal… any part of her hull crosses the starting line from the pre-start side to the course side.” Q’s hull is entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at the starting signal and therefore she starts correctly. It is immaterial where her crew’s body is at the starting signal.
This quiz was excerpted from Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes available from US Sailing. For a comprehensive explanation of the rules, read Dave Perry’s Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2024, which is also available from US Sailing. Permission to reprint this quiz for non commercial use is granted by the author.

Registration is OPEN

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Regatta-Network

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Registration for the 2023 BLYC Sailing Season is now open on Regatta Network.

CLICK HERE
or on the image above to visit the event website for the Notices of Race and to register for the 2023 season.

NOTE – this one-time registration of $75 registers you for all three Sail on Sunday/Lambrecht Cup Series (Spring, Summer, and Fall) as well as the three Holiday Long Distance Races, and the new Mother’s Day and Fall Foliage Series.  Series scores will be calculated separately outside of RN and published on the BLYC website.

Mills Race Registration is Now Open!

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Toledo Yacht Club, Storm Trysail Club, and the Mills Trophy Race Committee invite you to the 99th Mills Trophy Race June 9-11

JOIN US FOR A RACE FROM

Toledo to Put-in-Bay June 9-11, 2023

REGISTER

Registration for the 2023 Mills Trophy Race is now open and we hope you will join us for the 99th edition of the race and associated activities. Information about the race can be found in the Notice of Race. Please read it carefully, for any changes from previous years.

The Race
Courses for the 2023 Mills Trophy Race will remain the same as 2022. The rating bands, however, have been changed. JAM and PHRF (150 & above) may compete on the President’s Trophy course, while PHRF (147 & below) will have the option of sailing either the Governor’s Cup course or the Mills Trophy course. Multihulls will sail the Mills Trophy course.

In addition to PHRF scoring, ORC certificate holders may also opt to be dual-scored. This option is only available on the Mills Trophy course and requires a minimum of 6 boats for flags and a trophy. If you wish to participate, enter your certificate # on your registration, submit a copy of your certificate, and add PHRF/ORC dual scoring to your registration fee.

Special Pricing
Register and pay by May 8 to receive special pricing.

Safety at Sea
Of special note are the safety-at-sea requirements for the 2023 race. The US Sailing Online Coastal Safety at Sea course satisfies the requirement for SER 4.3.2. The form for documenting compliance with the Crew Overboard Recovery Drill is available on the Mills Trophy Race Yacht Scoring registration site in the document section.

Mills Masters
If you have sailed 25 or more Mills Trophy Races, and are not currently on the list, please send an e-mail to Mills Trophy Race describing your participation. Skippers and crew are eligible for this designation.

Storm Trysail Club
The Old Sam Trophy is awarded to the best finish by a skipper that is a member of the Storm Trysail Club. Please indicate your affiliation with STC in the Yacht Club field along with your yacht club affiliation.

More Kids On Sailboats
To continue to grow the sport of sailing on the Great Lakes, More Kids On Sailboats (a 501(c)(3)), will recognize our multi-generational Mills Trophy Race crews with their new annual award, the #MKOS 1st to Finish flag. The flag will be awarded to the first boat to cross the finish line, regardless of course, with two (2) or more kids on board. A “Kid” is any crew member under the age of 18 at the finish of the Mills Trophy Race. The flag will be presented to the kids of the winning boat at the flag ceremony on Sunday morning.  Also, the skipper will be recognized for their efforts to continue to grow the sport of sailing. Sailing takes great communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and grit. Let’s help our youth grow into strong leaders by promoting these skills.

2023 Mills Trophy Race Party
On Thursday, June 8, Toledo Yacht Club will once again host the Mills Trophy Race Party. Join us for refreshments, entertainment and a chance to socialize with other racers. As always, dockage is available at the yacht club for all registered boats beginning the weekend prior to the race.

Post-Race Party
The members of the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club will be our hosts for the post-race party on Saturday afternoon; the perfect opportunity to celebrate or commiserate! Wristbands can be purchased with your registration for $20 and includes admission to the tent, refreshments and entertainment.

Friends of the Mills Sponsorship
Events such as the Mills Trophy Race, rely on advertisers and sponsors to supplement the registration fees paid by the sailors. If you would like to show your support in a special way, please consider a Friends of the Mills Sponsorship.

For more information on the Mills Trophy Race, visit our website.

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