Some video clips of F16 Global Challenge

Why would you do a 360 at that part of the course, especially when you are going to tack shortly afterwards? Lose way too much. Either do it at the top mark as I assume the Sailing Instructions had penalty as 1 tack and 1 gybe. Come up to the mark on starboard, go past a couple of lengths, tack, bear away and gybe and then hoist the kite. Got to have a game plan of how to exonerate yourself. No need to do it there and then.

Otherwise, good vids.

I don't think anybody but the crew on that boat knows. Even the expert commentators on shore seems confused about it.

Currently the ISAF racing rules require you to do a 360 as soon as physically possible, as such you are not allowed to wait till later in the race when its more convenient like after rounding A-mark.

Still, Matt was well clear when he made that round, I can't see how he could have fouled anyone shortly before doing his turn.

Maybe something is wrong on the boat and a 360 will correct it ? I guessing here, because I'm at a loss as well.

Wouter

2005-08 rules say (and looking at 44.1) that a boat that has broken part 2 of the rules may take a penalty at the time of the incident.

Another really grey rule, but doesn't mean you can't take it a different time of the course. The

may

bit is the part which leads me to say that you can take the penalty at a later time on that leg. Unless match racing, think that you should do the penalty on that leg and in a part of the course where you are not going to interfere with other boats on the course. Thinking that infringing just after the start in a big fleet, taking the penalty promptly not a great idea.

But if you break 31.1, which is touching a mark (including start and/or finish), you must take a penalty promptly of 1 tack and 1 gybe.

Case of knowing the rules, especially when the manner in which they are written changes every 4 years.

But if anyone can correct men or direct to different rules (looked at them real quick), I am happy to hear as I am willing to learn.

Wouter,
Given the banter between Matt and Geert after that race it seemed there may have been an issue back near the start that Matt had to exonerate.

So rather than do it and get caught up in bad air he put the hammer down , got clear of the fleet and did what was needed.
Now having said all this, I may be wrong. The only person who could explain is Matt.
Had Matt done what James is suggesting Geert may have had reason still to protest.
Please note like James, I'm just commenting from the cheap seats and Matt is the one who has the real story.

Regards,
Phill

I believed the same till recently till a jury pointed out to me that there is another rule in the sportmanship section that specifies that the penalties (incl. the non bouy touching ones) should be taken promptly (as soon as physically possible). If you will hamper the boats around you then it is expected that you sail away of your proper course and do your round. I checked and the rule was indeed there, can't remember its number though.

But indeed, I dislike the ISAF regulation because of their vagueness (grey spots) at points.

Wouter

Which basically means (if no one behind you) dumping the mainsail, stopping, letting everyone else sail past, and then doing the turns. NOT sailing off into the diustance and doing turns.

I think I'm with Simon here. Matt in this instance should have done his penalty turns a lot sooner. You can't sail off from an incident to clear air or gain any advantage etc to do your turns, you must do them as soon as possible. That's how I interpret the rules.

Protest committees I have seen deal with this look for one thing in general - did the boat required to do a turn continue sailing the course prior to executing the turn? You can't exonerate yourself in a strategic or tactical manner and you can't put off the turn like in an America's Cup race. If you go 100 yards up the course, tack on the layline, then do your turn... you're right out of luck if you have to go to the room.

John,

I'd suggestit much tighter than that. I was told that you have to take ACTION to initiate the turn asap; dumping the mainsail(very good in cats to stall), bearing off HARD to duck the last boat on a pin end start situation, check behind and initiate the gybe and drop the kite and then tack. All has to be very quick, or you are not takling the turn quick enough. It must be a Sin - decide to take action to exonnerate - action, continue.

Basically you are allowed long enough to decide

1, you will not get in the way of others and then do your turns
2, you cannot do turns here, sail to somewhere you can (and the closest place) and then do the the turns - if this means stopping, then so be it.

I can't disagree with you, Simon. I was just saying that the litmus test for the committee during the couple of times I have seen this issue make it to the protest room seemed to be whether or not the burdened boat (the one required to do a turn) continued to sail the course or make maneuvers (like tacking onto a layline) prior to accepting the alternative penalty. I like your suggestion of dumping the main and slowing down if the situation warrants.

I try to remind myself every once in a while that doing a turn is an alternative penalty. Before this idea was introduced, your only option was to retire as soon as you broke a rule. Those Corinthians - whew. Hardcore. <img src=

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John,

The judge I spoke to made it real clear that the actions taken by the sinning boat must make it clear very quickly (less than 5 seconds was suggested) that actions were being taken to take the alternative penality.

He basically said, you have time to ask the crew (sin or clear) check behind you / under you and then start to make manovers or call protest.

As far as I can remember I think Matt and Geert had a close encounter near the Start. However, when you break a

when boats meet

rule you can exonerate yourself by sailing clear of other boats as soon as possible and making TWO complete turns, involving two tacks and two gybes. Touching a mark requires ONE complete turn as soon as possible.
'As soon as possible' should not be interpreted to be 'as soon as it's convenient'- waiting until you've got dowwind before dropping your kite for turns after an incident at the windward mark isn't the way to make friends and exonerate yourself.
So Matt you've been caught on camera, have you anything to say for yourself? <img src=

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