Starting — racing rules at the line

Everything between the prep signal and the first beat. The rules that govern barging, port-tack approaches, and pre-start contact.

Pre-Start Luff — The Leeward Boat Can Go Head to Wind (Case 13)

The pre-start luff trap — Rule 17 doesn't apply before the gun.

Changing Course as Right-of-Way Boat (Case 6)

Case 6 — the right-of-way boat lost the protest.

OCS But No Horn — Do You Have to Go Back? (Case 31)

No horn doesn't save you if you know you were over.

Fouled at the Start, Won the Protest — So Why Scored DNS? (Case 28)

Win the protest, skip a mark, still go home last.

The Fake "Starboard!" Hail Breaks Two Rules (Case 47)

The fake 'Starboard!' bluff breaks two rules — and Rule 2 means DSQ.

Forced to Bear Away at the Start? You're Exonerated (Case 51)

The start-line concertina — Rule 43 exoneration when you're forced down.

Boxed Out At The Start — Is That Legal? (Case 52)

Boxed out at the start — why it's legal, and how right of way really works.

"Leeward Boat!" — Do You Have to Move Instantly? (Case 53)

The leeward-boat hail on the line — Rule 15 gives you time to respond.

Already Disqualified? Covering a Rival Can Get You Banned (Case 65)

Already out? Sitting on a rival anyway can get you banned.

The Late Recall and Your Right to Redress (Case 79)

A recall flag forty seconds late earns you redress, not last place.

The String Rule: Did These Boats Start? (Case 90)

Pull your track tight like a string — it must leave every mark on the right side.

The Black Flag Mistake That Ends Your Series (Case 96)

Race the restart and your black flag becomes permanent.

Right of Way, No Lookout — Still Disqualified (Case 107)

Right of way is not a substitute for keeping a lookout.

Don't Force a Boat Into the Mark (Case 114)

Luffing a boat into a mark is your breach, not hers.

"Barging" Isn't Even a Rule (Case 146)

Compelled in: protected. Chose to barge: not.

Forced Over Early — and Still Scored OCS (Case 140)

Exoneration clears the breach — it doesn't give back the start.

The Wall of Boats at the Start — Who Owes You the Gap? (Case 117)

The wall of boats before the gun — the gap belongs to nobody until you take it.

One-Turn Penalty — Why a Tack Alone Doesn't Clear You

A tack alone isn't a penalty turn — Rule 44.2 needs a tack AND a gybe.

Pre-Start Overlap — The Windward Boat's Duty Under Rule 11

Pre-start overlap still runs on Rule 11 — leeward can luff to defend her lane.

You Won the Protest and Still Scored DNS — Here's Why

Winning your protest doesn't excuse a missed mark — you still have to sail the course.

Hit a Mark? The Correct Rule 44.2 Penalty Turn

Touching a mark clears with one tack AND one gybe, taken promptly.

Returning to the Pre-Start Side — You Keep Clear of Everyone (Rule 21.1)

Turn back to restart and Rule 21 strips your right of way — starboard included.

Opposite Tacks on the Start Line — Who Gives Way? (Rule 10)

The start line is not a special zone — Rule 10 applies right through the gun.

You Touched the Start Pin — Here's the Turn That Actually Clears It (Rules 31 & 44.2)

Hitting the pin isn't fatal — but only a turn with a tack and a gybe clears it.