The basis for W's protest was that L, having established a leeward overlap from clear astern within two of her hull lengths of W, sailed above her proper course. L's defence and counter-protest were that the course she was sailing was, for her, a proper course and that W had broken rule 11. Which of two different courses is the faster one to the next mark cannot be determined in advance and is not necessarily proven by one boat or the other reaching the next mark ahead. By not doing so, she broke rule 14, but is not penalized because the contact caused no damage. The appeal is upheld, and W is disqualified under rules 11 and 14.
L is reinstated.