I was the inside boat at the leeward mark — why wasn't I given more room?
Because mark-room is smaller than most sailors think. Mark-room is only the space to sail to the mark, round it, and leave it astern — promptly and in a seamanlike way. It is not room for a wide, fast tactical swing. Once the mark is abeam your bow you have already "sailed to the mark"; from there you get room to turn promptly from reach to close-hauled, staying close, and nothing more. In World Sailing Case 118 the inside boat's appeal for more room was dismissed. (Mark-Room definition; Rule 18.2(a)(1).)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-9E3R2sMaQ" 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/Q-9E3R2sMaQ/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Recommended reading
- The Rules in Practice 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — The clearest guide to the racing rules around the racecourse — updated for the current 2025-2028 rulebook.
- Advanced Racing Tactics by Stuart H. Walker — The classic deep-dive on racing tactics — starting, beating, reaching and mark rounding.
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