CASE 100
Rule 41 Outside Help
When a boat asks for and receives tactical racing advice she
receives outside help, even if she asks for and receives it on
a public radio channel.
Facts
Three large boats were to round a mark near coastal rocks and then sail into
a 6-knot current. The wind was light. Boat A radioed to boat B, whose
skipper was more familiar with the area, asking whether it was safe to
anchor in the vicinity of the mark. B replied that it was not safe to anchor.
Boat C protested both boats under rule 41, for discussing what tactics were
to be used for rounding the mark and sailing the next leg.
The protest committee dismissed the protest against B and disqualified A
for receiving outside help. It noted that she could have sailed or motored
away from the mark in perfect safety at any time, and that the only reasons
for anchoring at the mark were to overcome the adverse current and to win
the race.
A appealed, on the grounds that she did not believe she had received help,
that she believed that advice given on a public radio channel was not outside
help, and that a national authority should not condone disqualification for
receiving safety information.
Decision
A’s appeal is dismissed. A asked for help for tactical racing reasons and
received it. It is irrelevant that A’s question and the information she received
in response were broadcast on a public radio channel. The help A received
did not come within the scope of the exceptions to rule 41, especially not
rule 41(d) since she asked for the information. Therefore A broke rule 41.
GBR 2001/4