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
Related cases
- Over early — going back · Starting
The start gun fires and the race committee hails sail numbers and flies code flag X (individual recall). Maya sees she was over the line early (OCS) and turns back to restart, sailing back toward the pre-start side while the rest of the fleet beats away on starboard.
- U flag and black flag · Starting
After two general recalls the committee flies a black flag (or a U flag) for the next start. In the final minute Leo is just over the line, inside the triangle between the line and the first mark.
- The Z flag · Starting
After two general recalls the committee flies the Z flag for the next start. In the last minute Pip is just over the line, inside the triangle between the line and the first mark.
- Backing the sail to hold position · Starting
Holding her spot on the line with twenty seconds to go, Bea pushes her boom out to back the sail, stopping the boat and even edging it backwards to keep a gap to leeward.