Running down to a leeward gate, the boat overlapped inside me reached the zone of the first gate mark, then sailed straight past it to the other mark and took me with her — is she allowed to do that?
Yes. She is the leeward boat, so you keep clear (Rule 11), and she was overlapped inside when she reached the zone, so you owe her mark-room at that mark (Rule 18.2(a)(1)). But she never has to round it: at a gate each boat picks her mark, and Rule 18.4 does not apply at a gate mark. Then the roles flip. Once she leaves the zone of the first mark her mark-room ends (Rule 18.2(b)). At the second mark you are the inside boat, so she must give you mark-room there, even though she still has right of way.
📖 Want Rule 11 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/vXfSqfS3CIQ/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 — Every rule, with plain-English explanations and diagrams.
- 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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