The leeward boat reached out and touched me, then hailed me to retire — am I really the one who fouled?
No. If you're the windward boat and genuinely keeping clear, a manufactured touch proves nothing against you. Deliberately touching another boat to fake a foul breaks Rule 2 (Fair Sailing) — and that disqualification is non-excludable, so it can never be dropped from a series score. In Case 73 the appeal cleared the windward boat; the touch itself was the offence.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p_rRMgknmnA" title="Sailing Kiwi" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/p_rRMgknmnA/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Recommended reading
- The Rules in Practice 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — The clearest guide to the racing rules around the racecourse — updated for the current 2025-2028 rulebook.
- Advanced Racing Tactics by Stuart H. Walker — The classic deep-dive on racing tactics — starting, beating, reaching and mark rounding.
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