I was black-flagged by mistake — can I just sail the restart?
No — that's the trap. A black flag (Rule 30.4) is a starting penalty, normally a droppable BFD. But if you believe the committee erred, sailing the restarted race makes the disqualification non-excludable (DNE) — you can no longer drop it. Your only remedy is to stay out and request redress. (If the committee failed to post your sail number and you sailed in good faith, you're still out — but scored a droppable BFD.) World Sailing Case 96.
📖 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/nHoovWsuKlU/">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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