Using the diagram above, and assuming none of the Rule 30 penalties apply, answer the following:
1. Assuming that the starting guns sounds when Yellow, Blue and Green are at position 1, which boat(s) have started properly?
2. Answer the same question if the starting gun sounds when all three boats are at position 2.
The intended answers are:
1. All three boats meet the definition of starting, however, blue does not sail the course as required in Rule 28.1 Sailing The Course. Blue’s string when pulled taught does not pass on the required side of the starting mark after she starts. Green’s string loops around the starting mark and it does pass it on the required side as well as the wrong side, but there is no restriction on the string passing on the wrong side as long as it also passes on the correct side. I’ve attached Case 90 that explains it better than I can. Yellow of course starts properly and complies with Rule 28.1
2. If the gun sounds at position 2 for all three boats only Yellow will meet the definition of Starting. Both Blue and Green fail to be on the pre-start side of the line at or after the starting signal and cross the starting line. Yellow is on the pre-start side after the starting signal and crosses the line so Yellow is the only one that starts if the gun sounds at position 2.