Before the start, a boat came up from clear astern, became overlapped to leeward of me, then luffed up into me. She came from behind, so isn't she the one who has to keep clear?
No, you are. While she was clear astern she had to keep clear of you (Rule 12). Once she became overlapped to leeward, Rule 11 gave her right of way and you, the windward boat, had to keep clear. Because she had just acquired right of way, Rule 15 says she must first give you room to keep clear, and she did. Rule 17 does not stop her luffing, because it depends on proper course and a boat has no proper course before her starting signal. Each time she changed course Rule 16.1 still applied, but you had time and room and did nothing. Legal, yes, though whether it was smart this close to the start is another question.
📖 Want Rule 11 in your pocket? The Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 is a spiral-bound quick reference to the current rules. (affiliate link)
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/xb3_LpBCcTg/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Ronstan Clear Start race timer — A countdown timer made for sailing starts.
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- Tactics Made Simple by Jon Emmett — Racing tactics, explained simply.
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