Windward boat/proper course

That's a very interesting interpretation of two boats on a broad reach with one coming from clear astern and choosing to go below.
"After falling into my wind shadow several times" suggests this had a big influence on the 29ers decision making.
Had the agreed tracks been as in your diagram, there is a good case to say that green was forced to sail below his proper course by red not going up soon enough, (point of view of green, not red). Of course there is no indication of relative positions.
I interpreted the description as both on a broad reach ie parallel course and green chose to go below, which is the normal point where I have seen these sorts of conflicts arise. Otherwise we would could have expected the 29er to gybe.
If we do assume it was more of a parallel course, and now instead of a 29er vs rs300. We have say an RS300 vs Solo, same situation, where first rs300 tries to go below and does not get through, the next rs300 goes high to get over the top, can the first one now luff to join the high boats? Or has he just made a bad tactical decision and has to sort himself out?

I have been struggling with this since the late 90's, and feel the slower boat needs some protection. On a run I think these situations only really become an issue, where both boats tend anticipate better near the mark.

Andy

Edited by andymck - 18 Dec 13 at 8:18am

This is all pretty normal stuff. Could equally have been an RS600 sailing with a bit of heat and a Laser running by the lee.

Fast boat comes up to leeward and faster sailing higher. Has the option of luffing round the slow boats stern and passing aggressively close to windward, or soaking down a bit and going thro to leeward, which will often work. Decides to take the gentlemanly approach, but stalls in the dirty air and doesn't get through. Now has no choice but to go back up to proper course to get the speed back on.
Slow boat, seeing someone attempting a lee side pass, might well benefit from pointing up a tad for a couple of secs and letting them through: after all you probably want to encourage the fast boats to take the leeward side option.