Race rules advice pls

Originally posted by boatshed Thanks. If W is crafty, say sitting just below the start line creeping forward ahead of the start signal, W could decide not to start to take action to avoid L who is slowly approaching from behind

Whether or not and how to respond will depend on time to go, distance from the start line and other tactical considerations.   Doing nothing when tactically attacked is very rarely the best option.

W can see the hook coming: from a rules POV, she has no obligation to do anything until boats become overlapped, then she must keep clear, but tactically, she'd better start doing something.

Originally posted by boatshed and the gap will close then W can claim insufficient room to keep clear. L goes from the right of way boat to being the infringer because “room” is a universal defence if L decides to protest.

Room to keep clear under rules 15/16 is nothing like a 'universal defence'.

L can't just 'claim' insufficient room to keep clear.

She has to prove to the protest committee that there was insufficient space for her acting promptly and in a seamanlike way to keep clear.

In dinghys and moderate conditions .6 to 1 m between the boats when they became overlapped would be considered more than enough room for W to begin to keep clear.

If L got the hook closer than this, she can readily do a 'tag and release': immediatedly boats become overlapped, L bears away and accelerates, opens the gap to give W room, then comes back up towards the wind requiring W to keep clear, and from the moment it was possible to do so, W had better be doing all she could to keep clear.

If L is just the little bit competent, W is on a hiding to nothing.

Originally posted by boatshed    Without an umpire, I would think the “room” defence trumps L’s argument of W rule breaking.

Why? Depends on the evidence, and I think you are vastly overestimating the force of rules 15/16.

Originally posted by boatshed I wonder if it is possible to abuse the racing rules using techniques like these and indeed maybe these techniques are taught.

No. Unless a boat breaks the rules it is impossible to 'abuse' the rules.