Mark,

You need to read closer....I was NOT ON THE LAYLINE....I was about 10 b/l below it. So, yes...I could have double tacked, but I also had every right to expect that S would hold their course and by the time we danced down and then back up, a tack would have left me a sitting duck...note that even 25 boat lengths only takes 7-9 seconds to close at our speeds in that wind.

I have also been told numerous times that once a Starboard boat begins yelling "starboard", they are then obligated to hold their course....

For the record, I did a circle, although I now believe according to ISAF cases 60, 76 & 92, I was exonerated of my breaking rule 10 because of S's breaking 16.1

Please note....that although I'm not happy about the conflict between my friend (S) and myself, I do really enjoy and learn a TON from the rules discussions that stem from situations like this!! It's one thing to read the rule book...but going through situations like this really cements things!!