Finn Pumping, Handicap Race

A question that has been rattling around the club is this: can a Finn pump in a handicap race. I think that its okay for a Finn to pump in handicap race as long as it does within the Finn class rules. I'm not really sure of the justification that the other sailors have that Finns cannot pump, maybe they just want a better change against the Finn lads, haha

Do Finn sailors have carte blanche to pump whenever they wish, or are there certain conditions? I believe in the 470 class you can only pump after the race committee flies a certain flag indicating pumping is allowed.

Similar in the Finn Class - RC has to fly a flag, IIRC, it's a 10 knot windspeed threshold

This is the current amendment in the Finn rules:
C.1.1 (1)
Amendment:
(1) RRS 42.3 is changed by adding a new RRS 42.3 (i): 42.3(i) The
Race Committee may signal in accordance with RRS Appendix P5
that pumping, rocking and ooching are permitted after the starting
signal, except when the boat’s proper course is close-hauled or
above. This changes rules 42.2(a), 42.2(b) and 42.2(c).

The answer is no and this is sometimes now reinforced in the SIs - eg-
1.3 All boats will be required to sail according to their respective class rules, particularly regarding WEIGHT
EQUALISING rules. However, under Rule 87, class rules which permit pumping, rocking and ooching in
certain wind conditions and/or change penalty turns (rules 44.1 and 44.2) are suspended for the purposes of
this regatta.

Roadie said:

A question that has been rattling around the club is this: can a Finn pump in a handicap race. I think that its okay for a Finn to pump in handicap race as long as it does within the Finn class rules. I'm not really sure of the justification that the other sailors have that Finns cannot pump, maybe they just want a better change against the Finn lads, haha

Click to expand...

Everyone can pump in a handicap race subject to the limits of rule 42.3c which says " Except on a beat to windward, when surfing ( rapidly accelerating down the face of a wave) or planing is possible, the boats crew may pull in any sail in order to iniate surfing or planing , but each sail may only be pulled in once for each wave or gust of wind.

The Finn class rules allow for unlimited pumping ( and rocking & ooching) over a certain wind strength when a flag O is flown, which is as 49208 has said, is a complete change to Rule 42.2 ( Prohibited actions)

Therefore in a handicap race the Finn Class Rule of unlimited pumping etc will never apply, as the race officer will never fly flag O when the breeze gets above the limit. .

Well put Nipper, and that should cover it. Unless the 'O' flag is hoisted they are not allowed to pump aside from what is permitted under 42.

Thanks Nipper, you covered it one, that helps a lot.