Rule 42 (yellow flag)Question

Originally posted by limey Surely in the case of a general recall the race is no longer valid as soon as the starting gun is fired

No, you are racing until 1st substitute goes up. See the definition of "racing" I posted earlier in this thread.

 

Just to add a little more detail. The offence occurred about 5 seconds after the start and the offender immediately took his penalty turns (first offence). Within a couple of seconds of that the recall gun was fired (boats further up the line obscured the flags on the committee boat ). My query is this; a black flag disqualification refers to an incident which happens before the start (i.e boats ocs before the starting gun). Surely in the case of a general recall the race is no longer valid as soon as the starting gun is fired (at which point the RC has decided he is unable to identify a large proportion of the fleet which is over the line) irrespective of whether the recall gun is fired 10, 30 or even 60 seconds after the start !!

My mistake, I thought the question was about alternative penalty yellow flags.

Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd No it isn't. The class flag coming down is the start signal. The race officer then decides whether the start is clear, single or general recall. It normally takes several seconds to decide to signal general recall and sometimes longer. I can think of plenty of times I've sailed for 15 seconds or more before the general recall is signalled. Plenty of time to get into trouble!

Yer, but no, but yer, but no, but......

My Vicky Pollard impression is terrible!!

I think I will stick to what I said first.

Originally posted by Worthy I don't know the answer

Originally posted by Worthy But the decision is made at the instant the class flag comes down.

No it isn't. The class flag coming down is the start signal. The race officer then decides whether the start is clear, single or general recall. It normally takes several seconds to decide to signal general recall and sometimes longer. I can think of plenty of times I've sailed for 15 seconds or more before the general recall is signalled. Plenty of time to get into trouble!