Thanks again, Marcreiter, for your thorough examination. I really appreciate all the insight and help in resolving the issue.



Regarding the over-early flag described in 29.2, does that four minute limit represent a specific deadline by which an Early Bird must return to the pre-start side? Or does it just limit the courtesy of raising a flag to alert Early Birds of their offense -- so the RC's arms don't get tired holding it up for the whole race?



If actually the latter, would it be appropriate for a Race Committee to enforce a four-minute deadline for any Early Birds to remedy their transgressions?



Many thanks -TTS