Home · The Finish · Definition: Racing · RRS 10 · RRS 23.1 · World Sailing Case 127

I'd already crossed the finish line — how can a starboard boat still protest me?

Because finishing and racing are not the same thing. Under the definition of Racing, a boat is racing until she finishes and clears the finishing line and marks, so crossing the line changed nothing: on port you still had to keep clear under Rule 10. Even once you had cleared, Rule 23.1 would catch you — a boat not racing shall not interfere with one that is. The finish line is not a shield.

⚡ 30-sec version

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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xXHCscmH_EU" title="Sailing Kiwi" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Next on this shelf — The Finish

You Finish At The Line — Limit Marks Have No Required Side (Case 58)

You finish at the line — a limit mark past it has no required side.

When You Can Cross the Finish Line Either Way (Case 82)

A finish line you can't read lets you cross either way — first crossing counts.

Two Ways to Lose a Finish (Case 128)

Crossing the line isn't always finishing — two different ways to lose it.