Rule scenario during the thundermug We got a great start right at the committee boat.  We were so close we could smell the mini doughnuts on Matt's breath.  Claudia had one eye closed, and the other trained on the main to block the view of the crowded start.  With boats to leeward, we had to keep clear.  A faster boat, that started directly behind us, looked like it was pointing higher.  Question can we luff up to keep him from going above us?  Question can we drive down to keep him from going below us?  This will be a weekly forum discussing the rules.  Claudia has broken most of them, so our column will try to keep us both out of trouble. We'll post the solution in a couple of days, e-mail us your opinion.
			Answer:  If the faster boat tries to go above us we can luff up hard to keep our air clean.  On a reach it is not legal to bear down on the boat to leeward.  On a beat it is OK to bear off, but not done except in team racing.  Also as windward boat you should keep clear.  If the faster boat establishes an overlap to leeward, she is not allowed to sail above her proper course.
				Rule scenario on a crowed JY 15 starting line while Frostbiting. A bunch of JY's are starting on starboard near the boat end.  They must leave the boat to port, or crunch.  Three JY's are fighting for position.  The JY furthest from the boat drives down to get an overlap on the middle JY.  The middle JY squirts ahead breaking the overlap.  As the time runs down, the JY that is very close to the committee boat luffs up hard and fast, to avoid the committee boat.  The middle JY hits the luffing JY.  What rules apply?
					Answer:  The JY that is about to crash into the RC has the right to luff up, BUT must can't go past head to wind, and must give the JY to weather time to respond.
						Rules scenario A bunch of JY's reach the windward mark with the help of a three knot current pushing them.  A group of  JY's are on the starboard lay line. There is a gap between the second and third boats.  You are approaching on port within the two boat circle and tack on to port.  You complete your tack, and 5 seconds later the third JY hits your transom.  What should you do?