I was reaching down the start line for the gap at the committee boat and the boat below luffed up and shut the door — is she allowed to?
Yes. She is leeward, so Rule 11 makes you keep clear. The committee boat is a mark, but the Section C preamble switches Rule 18 off at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water, so there is no mark-room at the start. The only limit on her luff is Rule 16.1: when she changes course she must give you room to keep clear. She luffed early and you had time to slow down or get out, so sail on into the gap and the foul is yours.
📖 Want more situations like this one? Bryan Willis's The Rules in Practice 2025-2028 works through the rules as they happen round the racecourse. (affiliate link)
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/NbLvv-5uHPE/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Ronstan Clear Start race timer — A countdown timer made for sailing starts.
- The Rules in Practice 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Situations round the racecourse, worked through for the current rules.
- Tactics Made Simple by Jon Emmett — Racing tactics, explained simply.
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