Q&A 2025-001
Appendix T, Arbitration
Breaches of rules on the finishing line when Appendix T applies 
Situation 1
Appendix T applies. A boat crosses the finishing line from the course side, touches the finishing mark breaking rule 31 and sails away.  Question Is the Post-Race Penalty defined in rule T1 an applicable penalty for her breach?

Answer
Yes, provided that the boat was not aware of the breach at the time it occurred. Situation 2 Appendix T applies. A boat crosses the finishing line from the course side, touches the finishing mark breaking rule 31, promptly makes one turn including one tack and one gybe and sails away. 

Question 1
Is the second sentence of rule 44.2, ‘When a boat takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, she shall sail completely to the course side of the line before finishing’ part of taking a penalty under rule 44.2 referred in definition Finish (a)? 

Answer 1
Νο. 

Question 2  
Has the boat finished?
 
Answer 2
Νο.  The boat crossed the finishing line from the course side and then took a penalty under rule 44.2, therefore her crossing was not a finish.  See definition Finish.   

Question 3
May the race committee score the boat DNF without a hearing?

Answer 3
Yes.  See rules 63.1 and A5.

Question 4
Is the Post-Race Penalty defined in rule T1 an applicable penalty for her breach? 

Answer 4
No. The boat took an appropriate penalty for breaking rule 31 but did not comply with the rest of the requirements of rules 28.1 and 44.2.  Those breaches are not covered by rule T1.

Situation 3
Appendix T applies. A boat crosses the finishing line from the course side, touches the finishing mark breaking rule 31, sails completely to the course side and crosses the finishing line again. 

Question 1
When did the boat finish?

Answer 1
The boat finished the first time she crossed the finishing line.

Question 2
Is the Post-Race Penalty defined in rule T1 an applicable penalty for her breach?

Answer 2

Yes, provided that she was not aware of the breach at the time it occurred.  However, the fact that she crossed the finishing line a second time, indicates that she may have been aware of her breach.  
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