7. Facts found: Bare Bottom was clear astern but became overlapped with Aardvark about 10 seconds before the start, and Aardvark (windward) and Bare Bottom (leeward) moved into the position shown at left. When the start signal was made, Aardvark asked that Bare Bottom sail proper course and give room since the start signal had been made. Bare Bottom refused to move until several seconds had elapsed. Aardvark immediately lodged a valid protest under rule 17.1 and rule 18.

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Decision: Having established her overlap from clear astern, Bare Bottom was required by rule 17.1 to "not sail above her proper course". She was therefore entitled to luff head to wind until her start signal was made since the proper course definition states that she has no proper course until her start signal is made. Once that start signal was made, Bare Bottom was required to bear away. She did not do so and is therefore disqualified under rule 17.1.

(Note that Bare Bottom was required only to bear away to her proper course when the start signal was made. If that proper course did not give room to Aardvark to pass between Bare Bottom and the RC boat, then Aardvark would be out of luck since rule 18 does not apply at a start mark surrounded by navigable water when the boats are approaching the line to start.)

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case #8
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