Rule 2 usage

Hypothetical discussion, no event to refer to:
If a competitor blatantly breaks a rule and disadvantages a boat or boats, then takes his turns but still benefits at the expense of his fellow competitors.
Can a protest and disqualification be sought under Rule 2?

Does this happen? I've never known it but I am assured it can happen.

Thanks

First, there has to be a valid protest for a breach of the underlying rule.   See RYA Appeal 1981/7.

Second, "blatantly" doesn't cut it for rule 2, I think there has to be intentionality, and gain advantage, or spite, or intention to disrupt.

Taking an alternate penalty doesn't render you immune from protests. So yes, another competitor may protest. It would then be up to the PC to decide whether 44.1b applied, or whether the 360 turn was sufficient, in which case there'd be no further penalty.

S'pose if I were on the PC I'd look to try and establish whether the boat being protested just brushed the mark, or whether they were washed into it full on, never had a hope of getting round and should have sailed another ten yards before tacking across like all their competitors did.

Edited by JimC - 24 Jan 17 at 1:04pm

If you failed to round the mark, the rule broken would be rule 28.1.

The one turn penalty was applicable to the breach of rule 31. That would be no problem as long as you didn't have a residual advantage after taking the penalty.

For a valid protest for rule 28, it's only necessary to inform you of the intent to protest as soon as possible after you finish.

If you "might" have made the mark, there's nothing unsportsmanlike about making a misjudgment.