Does anyone have an example of language for the NOR/SIs governing fleet racing but provides for team scoring (e.g., 12-boat fleet, with four 3 boat teams) without conflicting with case 78 by somehow preventing "team racing tactics" from being used? It seems that if the NOR/SI just introduces a "team scoring" provision, that would then permit many aspects of "team racing tactics" to be used to improve the team's overall score (now fairly(?) under Rule 2), unless there is language included that would somehow discourage these team tactics. Or is rule 41 enough as it is? Or is team scoring in fleet racing just something to be avoided?
In this case that I postulate, teammates are in the same race, with the same type of boat. So, that presents conditions that enable a boat on one team to maneuver to impede another boat on a different team in a way that makes her fleet position worse, but improves her team's overall position. Would this tactic be fair under rule 2, or does case 78 (under fleet racing rules) define this tactic as unfair even though it helps her team's score?
But I think Gordon's line of argument in post ID: 20419 is pretty cogent: Case 78 does NOT expressly forbid 'team racing' when the Event includes a Teams competition unless you write a NOR/SI that says so.
Something like:
The Team Racing Rules (RRS Appendix C) shall not apply. The term 'final ranking' in Case 78 shall be taken not to include the ranking of a team to which a boat belongs.
Note Giff Constable's suggestion in Post ID 20417 that you need to specify exactly how the Team Scores will be calculated: You don't want someone scurrying off the TR scoring method.
X.1. While the regatta will be run under fleet racing rules, scores will be calculated based on the cumulative low-point scores of all boats in their assigned team etc etc
I am not convinced that Case 78 prevents 'team racing'. A boat may use tactics that clearly interfere with and hinder another boat's progress if there is a reasonable chance of her tactics benefiting her final ranking in the event. However, her final ranking in the event is based on the accumulated result of her team. Any tactic that clearly interferes with and hinders the progress of a boat in another team that has a reasonable chance of benefiting the final ranking of her team does not break rule 2.
Four teams racing at the same time would be interesting, to say the least. It may well generate a large number of protests, unless umpires are appointed.
That is to say, I agree with you Gordon, and I also think Mr. Blake is right to try to avoid these issues unless he is prepared for them.
Looks like a job-security SI :-)
My questions (which Gordon Davies has addressed... are there alternate views?):
In other words, I don't think you have to worry.
That said, if you're going to run the regatta in that way, I would suggest some combo of the following which could discourage outright teams-racing tactics (mark traps, etc.)
I have dreamed for many years of what teams racing would look like in a 3-boat, multi-team format, and it already happens frequently in eSailing, so I do think there's a real risk this could be happen... definitely take steps to avoid that if you don't want it.