That's why we're discussing it now - so that when you're out on the racecourse you'll know that you can't blindly turn into other boats. Think through common scenerios before racing so you'll know what to do when they pop up. Look outside of the boat and determine your options and obligations before you reach oncoming traffic. Plan your actions ahead of time -- don't react in panic. I'm sure that the crew on Groupe Edmond were watching Artemis like a hawk, and had already decided what their course of action would be if she tacked. It takes time to notice that another boat is changing course. It takes time to assess one's options. It takes time for the crew to act. It takes more time for the boat to respond. I count 3 seconds between Artemis starting to head up, and when I see Groupe Edmond's boat turning down. It's entirely possible that GE planned the bear-away before Artemis moved, and acted the moment they saw her change course.

Come on. The rules of Part 2 "When Boats Meet" are only 6 paperback-size pages long. That's a lot shorter than the rules of little league baseball, and the kids don't have any problem learning them. It doesn't take a certified judge to understand the RRS, just a willingness to open the rule book and read. This is not a simple port/starboard incidient. In fact, Artemis is on starboard tack for only a small part of the encounter. Right-of-way changes twice. Please read rules 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.1, 18.1(a), 18.2(c), and the definitions of "keep clear" and "room". Pay attention to the obligations rather than fixating on "rights".