Page 23 - Call Book for Team Racing 2017-2020

TR CALL B9

Rule 22.3 Moving Astern

Question

Shortly before the start, B and Y are sailing ahead very slowly, Y half a length
ahead of B. Y is in danger of crossing the starting line before the start and
briefly backs her mainsail. This causes her to sail backwards toward B. She then
stops backing her sail but continues to move backwards towards B. B maintains
her position, and there is contact. B protests. What should the call be?

Y1
Y2

Y3

B3
B2

B1

Answer

Penalize Y.

Rule 22.3 requires a boat moving astern by backing a sail to keep clear of one
that is not. Although Y is no longer backing her sail, she is moving astern
because she backed her sail, and is still subject to rule 22.3. Y fails to keep clear
and breaks rule 22.3.

A boat is 'moving astern by backing a sail' and therefore subject to rule 22.3 if
she is moving astern through the water, and she initiated or assisted her
sternwards motion by backing her sail. If she ceases to back the sail, but is still
moving astern, she is still subject to the rule.

Section B - The Prestart