Question
At a starboard-hand leeward mark, A and X are sailing on a close reach, overlapped on starboard tack, when they reach the two-length zone. Y is approaching the mark on a beam reach, sailing faster but just clear astern of A and X when they reach the zone.
X bears away to give Y room to round the mark inside her. A protests. What should the call be?

Answer
X is keep clear boat with respect to A, but A must give her room to round the mark. Because Y is clear astern when X and A reach the two-length zone, she is keep clear boat until all boats have passed the mark or until 18.2(c) ceases to apply.
In causing A to give extra room for Y to round inside her, X breaks both rules 11 and 17.2. Penalize X.
If as a result of the incident Y overtakes A, then the umpire will consider whether X’s team has gained an advantage despite X being penalized (or taking a voluntary turn). If X’s team has gained an advantage, penalize X further (if this removes the advantage) or report the incident to the protest committee ashore which may penalize X’s team further.