Do the boats in the line at the start have to let me into the gap?
No. Once you become overlapped to leeward of the boat ahead, she is no longer an obstruction to you — nor to the boats behind you — so nobody owes you room through that gap. You are now the right-of-way boat under Rule 11, subject only to Rule 15, which gives the windward boat initial room to keep clear. And a line of boats racing is never a continuing obstruction, so Rule 19.2(b) buys you nothing there. (World Sailing Case 117.)
📖 Want Rule 11 in your pocket? The Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 is a spiral-bound quick reference to the current rules. (affiliate link)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M8-p6HyESNc" 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/M8-p6HyESNc/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Ronstan Clear Start race timer — A countdown timer made for sailing starts.
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- The Sail Racing Bible — A complete guide to dinghy racing.
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