Whisker Pole Use
5/31/2006
To: Drew Dowling
From: Dick Rose
You are correct that rule 50 was changed some years ago to allow a whisker
pole to be set to leeward as well as to windward. This was done because
some classes (the Tasar was one) requested the change. Therefore, unless
class rules or the sailing instruction change rule 50 (as they are
permitted to do -- see rule 86), a whisker pole may be used to hold out a
headsail (provided that the pole s attached to the mast) on either the
windward or the leeward side (see rules 50.2 and 50.3(c)).
(Dick Rose is the Chairman of the US Sailing Racing Rules Committee)