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.
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/nHoovWsuKlU/">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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