WH-15 Fleet Racing Recap – Fuller Labor Day Race & Fall Series Kickoff

The WH-15 fleet had an exciting day on the water this weekend! Conditions kept everyone on their toes, with the breeze starting out heavy—gusting up to 18 knots—before easing to a light 5 knots during racing, and then piping back up as we headed in.

We had six boats on the line for two short races. The first race was the Fuller Labor Day Race, which had been postponed from last week due to lack of wind on Monday. This race also counted as the first race of the Fall Series.

• Race 1 (Fuller Labor Day Race & Fall Series #1):
  Hi Toots! (#15) sailed a strong race and took first place, securing the Fuller Labor Day trophy and an early lead in the Fall Series standings.

• Race 2:
  The breeze stayed shifty, making for a tactical challenge. Bahama Gal (#10) found the right lanes and claimed first place in the second race.

Protest & Rules Corner – Rule 18.1 vs. Port-Starboard

We had a protest in Race 2 involving two boats approaching the finish line to windward within a few boat lengths of the pin. One was on port tack, the other on starboard. The port boat had an inside overlap within the zone,  Even though both were in the zone, the protest was disallowed because of Rule 18.1.a.1.

18 MARK-ROOM
18.1 When Rule 18 Applies
(a) Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply
     (1) between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward,
     (2) between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,
     (3) between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or
     (4) if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.
b) Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when mark-room has been given

This means that port-starboard right-of-way (Rule 10) takes precedence in this situation. The starboard-tack boat had right of way, and the port-tack boat was required to keep clear on a beat to windward—even inside the zone,

2025-2028-RRS-with-Changes-and-Corrections