Something that happens often at the club is the (incorrect) use of a “hooked finish” when shortening a course.
The definition of a Finish in the racing rules of sailing …
“A boat finishes when any part of her hull, or crew or equipment in normal position, crosses the finishing line from the course side.”
The important part to note, is “from the course side”
If a line is set at a mark of the course, the course side would mean passing between that mark and the finish boat from the direction of the last mark of the course. The diagram below shows a finish where mark 1 is the last mark of the course and a finish is set between the committee boat and mark 2
The mistake often made is to position the committee boat on the opposite side of the mark than it is to be rounded. E.g. if this mark was to be taken to starboard we would be ok, but if it is set to port it can cause some confusion and you should still finish as shown NOT taking mark 2 to port as the course has been set. The OOD should position the committee boat on the port side of the mark if he wishes to avoid confusion.
In the following animation, mark 2 was set to port, but the green boat finishes correctly as it passes the finish line from the course side of the last mark, mark 1 (click the image to watch the animation)
