Click diagram for video explanation of Rule 18
Do you understand this surprising rule? RRSAC Rule 18 – Mark Room
The ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing – America’s Cup Edition contains this surprise: When the first yacht reaches the zone, if yachts are overlapped or bowsprit overlapped, the outside yacht at that moment shall thereafter give the inside yacht mark-room.
Let me show you the surprising results of that rule.
Course layout diagrams from ACRM, Sailing Instructions.
For the boat diagrams, thanks to Jos Spijkerman, International Judge and International Umpire. Learn more about the rules at his site, Look to Windward.