Case 19: In the photo below, the boats are approaching the starting line to start, and the mark is surrounded by navigable water..
How will rule 18 apply at every such start nonetheless?

Answer:
To each windward boat, the boat just to leeward will rank as a continuing obstruction. Thus rule 18.5 applies, and an overtaking boat "is entitled to room to pass between the other boat and the obstruction only if at the moment the overlap begins there is room to do so. If there is not, she is not entitled to room and shall keep clear." Thus, at the moment this photo was taken, John de Boer (left) was entitled to stick his nose in to windward of Randy Park (white hull with 50E numbers), but definitely not between the two boats in the "front row" (right).

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