The finish — crossing the line and Rule 28

The race ends the instant any part of your boat crosses the line. The rules around limit marks, sailing the course to the finish, finishing early, and redress at the line.

You Finish At The Line — Limit Marks Have No Required Side (Case 58)

You finish at the line — a limit mark past it has no required side.

When You Can Cross the Finish Line Either Way (Case 82)

A finish line you can't read lets you cross either way — first crossing counts.

Two Ways to Lose a Finish (Case 128)

Crossing the line isn't always finishing — two different ways to lose it.

The Zone Won't Save You — Rule 18 Is Off on Opposite Tacks Upwind (Rule 18.1)

Same tack first — on opposite tacks upwind, the zone means nothing.

You Hit the Finish Mark, Spun Round — and It Didn't Count (Rules 31 and 44.2)

A spin at the finish with no tack in it leaves the Rule 31 breach unpenalised.

You Crossed the Finish Line and You're Still Racing (Rules 10 and 23.1)

Bow over the line isn't the end of the rules — you're racing until you clear it.

You Crossed the Finish Line, Then Took Your Penalty — Does It Count? (Rule 44.2)

The first crossing doesn't lock in — turn, get the whole hull back, then finish.

Your Spinnaker Crossed the Finish Line First — and You Still Lost (Definition: Finish)

Hull only since 2021 — the kite over the line counts for nothing.

Hailed "Room to Tack" at the Finish and She Said "No" — Both Boats Penalised (Rules 20.1 and 20.2)

A wrong hail still needs an answer — and "No" isn't one.

Missed the Finish Line and Sailed Round the Committee Boat — Does It Count? (Definition: Finish)

An extra loop round the committee boat costs time, not the finish.

Crossed the Finish Line, Then Sailed Back Below It: Have You Finished? (Definition Finish)

Any part of your hull over the line from the course side is a finish. Sailing back does not undo it.

Worth having for this part of the race

Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 — Every rule, with plain-English explanations and diagrams.

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