Round-the-ends (I flag)
The situation
With the fleet pushing the line, the committee starts the sequence with code flag I. In the last minute before the gun, Sam is over the line early, near the middle.
The question
Under the I flag, how must Sam get back to start correctly?
The ruling
Sam must sail to the pre-start side around either end of the line — he can't just dip straight back across the middle. Rule 30.1 (the I flag, 'round-the-ends' rule) applies to any boat on the course side during the last minute: she must go to the pre-start side around an end before starting. While doing so she also keeps clear under rule 21.1. If she dips back across the middle instead, she hasn't started correctly and will be scored OCS.
I flag = round-the-ends. In the last minute, if you're over, sail back around an end of the line, not through the middle.
Opens the situation on the boat-length grid — scrub it and see exactly how the boats meet. Free, no account needed.
Rules cited
- Rule 30.1 — I Flag Rule
- Rule 21.1 — Starting Errors