In the circumstances you should have watched a film called "Deliverance" for guidance!Unfortunately they were Canadians in Canada and I felt I would have had little or no chance had I attempted to protest.
Or another dream sequence, Nessa (AKA Kiera Knightly) berates DavidH (dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow ) about the CVRDA Code. "Well anyone knows theyr'e more like guidelines really!"
In the social sports where the game is an excuse for mixing afterwards, there are often instances where, in the lower echelons of the sport the referee is not only blind, deaf, incontinent or otherwise afflicted during the game but also a jolly nice bloke and we all buy him a beer afterwards because if he hadnt put his neck on the block we would not have had a game.
So, here's to crusty incompetant Race officers. Long may they keep the flag flying, especially if no-one else will.
And Rupert said:-
"Play the referee" and "play to the whistle" are two basic skills that school children are taught. It's not about unsportsmanlike behaviour but aknowledgment that he, like me is only human.the very nature of competitive people means that they will push what is allowed in a rule until it snaps
Unsportsmanlike is not kicking the ball out of play for an injured man, and not throwing it back to the oposition on the restart. In my opinion diving in the penalty area is unsportsmanlike, but on the other hand exploiting a weakness in the opposition is fair.
If the other helm has a foul temper and is an arrogant s*d, then it is there to be exploited. There are all sorts of irritating things you can do, including sometimes "pushing rules" to a limit, but if you get caught on a port and starboard or luffing incident though you have only yourself to blame. The art is to irritate the s**t out of him and put him off his game. If someone is trying to thump you he's taking his eye off the ball. Just keep cool and be sure he doesnt get a clean shot on you.
As AK said:-
(From Graham Hill, Listed in the January 1997 Rowing Magazine as the World Motor racing champion and a member of London Rowing Club and father of Damon, who won "BBC Sportsman of the year" for not winning the formula 1 championship in the year that Steve Redgrave won his 4th Gold Medal (the only Gold GB won in that Games too!)"In order to finish first you must first finish"!
It is often up to the protestant boat to have decided if there is sufficient gain from attempting to create a penalty incident and for the defendant boat to have decided if a penalty (or DQ) is worth the risk, but once again, if the risk has been taken, then take it like a man if you miscalculated the competance (or otherwise) of the officials.
One of the delights of club racing can be local knowledge. That includes "local rules." eg. "Never call Starboard on Lord Henry." I've not yet read Shakewell Afloat but I'm sure he cites a few examples. There is a certain skill to coming out on top from a hugely biased line, or winning a race without any beating.
I have reached a stage were I find the pleasure of an open meeting is sampling a new brewery, and seeing different scenery. I sail infrequently enough to be envious of the man in the boat, because he's out there doing it, while I'm just watching.