Red, on port, crosses two starboard boats and Green has to bear away. Yellow hails "Protest!" but her protest form names Green, the wrong boat. Is it thrown out, or can Red still be disqualified?
Red can still be disqualified, but not in Yellow's hearing. A port-tack boat must keep clear of a starboard-tack boat (Rule 10), so Red broke the rule. Yellow's protest is still valid: she saw the incident, hailed at the first reasonable opportunity (a Laser is under 6 metres, so no red flag) and delivered it in writing within the time limit (Rules 60.2 and 60.3). But a boat can be penalised only at a hearing to which she is a party (Rule 60.5(b)), and Red is not a party to Yellow's protest. Because the jury learned of Red's breach during the hearing of a valid protest, it may protest Red itself (Rule 60.4(c)(2)), close the hearing, deliver its own protest and hear both together (Rule 63.2(d)), then disqualify Red. From an invalid protest it could not.
📖 Want Rule 10 in more depth? Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 sets out every rule with plain-English explanations and diagrams. (affiliate link)
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/Uw2_veqhx8I/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 — Every rule, with plain-English explanations and diagrams.
- Five Oceans masthead wind indicator — See the wind direction at a glance.
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