NOT ALWAYS AS IT LOOKS

Sometimes things aren’t always what they look like…

Last week it was reported that Martin White had a capsize problem at the bottom mark and spent some time there. Martin has corrected us that this was not quite the case. He did have an incident with another boat and waited to collect himself and ensure the other sailor was okay. Upon realising the fleet were some distance ahead by then, he did some mark rounding practice.

There’s an important point in all of this, which is the obligation under the racing rules to render assistance. The Racing Rules of Sailing are all rooted in the basic principle of sportsmanship. So much so, that the very first rule of racing (1.1) reads, “A boat, competitor or support person shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.”

We’d like to congratulate Martin on this display of sportsmanship at the club, and wish him, and our other Masters sailors heading to the world championships in Mexico, the very best for the event.