Section M - The Umpiring Process
TR CALL M8
Rule D2.3, Penalties Initiated by an Umpire
Question 1
After the umpires signal their decision in response to a boat's protest, a competitor on
one of the boats makes it clear that he is unhappy with the decision. Should the umpires
impose a penalty under rule D2.3(g) for a ‘breach of sportsmanship’?
Answer 1
This depends on the words, the manner in which they are spoken, and any other related
actions of the crew of the boat. If they merely express unhappiness or disappointment,
or that in the competitor’s opinion the decision was wrong, then a penalty is not
appropriate. However, if the total effect is to convey that the umpires or other race
officials are incompetent, or are prejudiced against the penalized boat, a penalty may
be justified, whether the meaning is directed only at the umpires or also to others
nearby. If the meaning is clearly insulting to the umpires, race officials or other
competitors, a penalty should be imposed. The penalty imposed by the umpires may
be one or more turns. The umpires may also report the incident to the protest
committee, signalled by displaying a black and white flag.
Question 2
An incident occurs between team A and X, immediately after which a competitor in
team A starts to shout loudly and forcibly that the boat from team X should take a
penalty. The shouting continues for a time, after which the boat from team X sails clear
and completes a penalty. The umpires have observed the incident and are in no doubt
that the boat from team A had broken a rule and that the boat from team X had taken a
penalty only as a result of the intimidating actions from the boat of team A. Should the
umpires impose a penalty under rule D2.3(g) for a breach of sportsmanship?
Answer 2
If the effect is one of intimidation and bullying by team A, a penalty should be imposed
under rule D2.3(g). The penalty imposed by the umpires may be of one or more turns.
The umpires may also report the incident to the protest committee, signalled by
displaying a black and white flag.