New Question:
Sailor S is on Starboard tack. Sailor P is on Port tack. Boards are headed for collision so sailor S calls 'Starboard!' for right of way but sailor P ignores. Sailor S has to change course to avoid a collision. What happens next?
When I was a sailor racing sailboats, Sailor P had to do a 720 degree turn to resume back into the race to avoid being ejected after a penalty hearing. Not sure what the race committee does to enforce right-of-way rules when it applies to sailboards.
Patrick
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What right-of-way rules apply for 'fallen' sailors?
Example: Sailors A, B,C,D are bunched up at starting line in sequential order ready for start. All are on starboard tacks heading for the line. Just as the gun goes off, sailor A falls in the water and the sail makes it impassable for any other sailor to clear. Since going upwind is impractable unless you tack, sailor B makes an immediate and horizontal turn to go downwind and avoid running over the sail of sailor A. Sailor C & D trying to do the same, all collide into each other into a mass of boards, sails, and persons.
I am guessing that if sailor B did not collide with A, sailor B did not have an infraction. Sailor C would have been responsible for the collision of sailor B on the windward/leeward rule. Sailor D would have been responsible for sailor C on the windward/leeward rule.
Is this correct?
Patrick
This implies a fallen sailor has right-of-way over a sailor that is sailing regardless of where they are. A sailor that is sailing must avoid sailor and all equipment of a fallen sailor.
I this correct?
Patrick
In the port/starboard situation, if S had to change course to avoid contact & feels he "been done wrong", he should 'hail' the other board using the word "protest" (I often heard something like "Protest, you idiot") In that case the offending board should do a 720 penalty then continue sailing. More often, the starboard tacker will say "keep sailing... and watch out next time!".
In the other case, as I understand it, the guy that fell becomes an 'obstruction' and you just have to get around them the best you can. The rules regarding the others say something like you have to give them "room and opportunity" to stay clear of you. It doesn't happen that much but it can be a mess.
I remember a start in San Francisco Bay in a strong outgoing tide (opposite the wind) where somebody fell right behind the committee boat and got sucked up against the back of it. Then one by one about 5 or 6 boards couldn't get around him and they all got piled up in a wad of carbon & mylar. There was no protest or anything with that, they were all just screwed.
The best sailors never seem to be involved in protests. I think they know that it just slows you down, whether you are "right" or not.
A lot of dinghies have "sea lawyers" who go out of their way to protest you - the ones who try to luff you up when you are both 88 lengths behind the leader and fighting for 98th position. If they twitch the tiller, they'll protest. Windsurfers tend to be more laid back. Nonetheless, the burden remains.
The burden is to avoid obstructions and a disabled boat/board is one - assuming you reasonably can. You aren/t required be prescient and guess who's going to fall in and start a domino chain.
from rule 21.1 of the ISAF rules
Found this handy, dandy pdf on the isaf site - windsurfing rules of racing:
http://www.isaf.org/rrs2005/WCR2005A5.pdf
I believe hitting a buoy also requires the sailor to perform a 720 prior to resuming the race, correct?
Sailboard Racing Rules are a special appendix and allow for hitting marks, pumping, playing of loud music and wearing of stripes and plaids together.
cv
and wearing stinky wetsuit booties
Looks like we all know what CV will be wearing for the race
I didnt know we were having a costume contest