Team Race - CALL E 11      

Rule 18.1(a) Mark-room; When Rule 18 applies
Rule 18.2(b) Giving mark-room
Rule D1.1(b) Changes to rule 18.1(b)

Question 1
A on starboard enters the zone of a windward mark clear ahead of X. X tacks onto port and then tacks back onto starboard. She then establishes an inside overlap with A from clear astern. Does A have to give X mark-room?

Answer 1
No. X is required to give A mark-room. At position 1, rule 18.2(b) applies and X must give A mark-room. At position 2, the boats are on opposite tacks on a beat to windward and rule 18 ceases to apply (rule 18.1(a)).
When X tacks back to starboard after position 2, the boats are on the same tack and rule 18 begins to apply again. In particular, rule D1.1(b) applies which changes rule 18.2(b). A becomes clear ahead when X passes head to wind, so X must thereafter give A mark-room.

Question 2
Would the call be different if X’s tacks are in the zone?

Answer 2
No. Providing that at the moment X passes head to wind between positions 2 and 3, she is clear astern of A, she must give A mark-room.
See also Call E 10