Section B – The Prestart
TR CALL B9
Rule 21.3, 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?
Answer
Penalize Y.
Rule 21.3 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 21.3. Y fails to keep clear and breaks rule 21.3.
A boat is 'moving astern by backing a sail' and therefore subject to rule 21.3 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.