Case 6: In the photo below, the Wayfarer has just established an overlap to leeward of the Laser.
1. What is the first rule that applies at the moment the leeward overlap begins?
2. What does that rule require the overtaking boat to do?
3. What does that rule require the overtaken boat to do?
4. What other two rules will also limit the leeward boat after the first few seconds?
5. Must Leeward give Windward room to sail her proper course here?

Answer:
1. At the moment Leeward establishes an overlap, rule 15 applies.
2. Under rule 15 (Acquiring Right of Way), Leeward must initially give Windward room to keep clear unless she acquired right of way due to the other boat's actions (e.g. the Laser deliberately sailed backwards).
3. Rule 15 requires - by the word initially - that the overtaken boat take immediate action to begin keeping clear.
4. Leeward will subsequently be limited by

• rule 16.1 which limits course changes by Leeward to ones that give Windward "room to keep clear"
• rule 17.1 which limits Leeward to sailing no higher than her proper course

5. No. Leeward is always the right-of-way boat, and, as long as Leeward remains within the limits imposed on her by the rules, Windward must keep clear.

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