31 TOUCHING A MARK
31.1 While racing, a boat shall not touch a starting mark before starting, a
mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the course on which she is sailing,
or a finishing mark after finishing.
31.2 A boat that has broken rule 31.1 may, after getting well clear of other
boats as soon as possible, take a penalty by promptly making one complete 360°
turn including one tack and one gybe. When a boat takes the penalty after
touching a finishing mark, she shall return completely to the course side of the
line before finishing. However, if a boat has gained a significant advantage in
the race or series by touching the mark she shall retire.
31.3 When a boat is wrongfully compelled by another boat to break rule 31.1,
she shall be exonerated
(a) if the other boat acknowledges breaking a rule of Part 2 by taking a penalty
or retiring immediately, or
(b) under rule 64.1(b), after successfully protesting another boat involved in
the same incident.
