How are objections and protests handled?

Objection to a sanction (Rule 84): a crew can only object when the sanction is awarded, by telling the Jury member, Starter or Umpire who notified it. That person decides without delay and tells the crew, the Starter and the other race officials. A crew sanctioned during cool-down, training or another time must object before it embarks for the race the sanction applies to.

Objection to the conduct of a race: a crew member raises an arm to the Umpire immediately after the finish, before the crew leaves the immediate area of the finish line and before the Umpire shows the white flag to the Judge at the Finish. The crew must stay at the finish until the Umpire has heard it. The Umpire may:

• reject it and show a white flag;
• accept it and show a red flag, then go to the Judges at the Finish with the decision and explanation; or
• seek more information, showing a red flag and consulting other officials or the President of the Jury.

The Judges at the Finish do not announce the official result until the Umpire has given a decision.

Protest to the Board of the Jury (Rule 85):

• Who: a crew whose objection was rejected, whose ranking was affected by an accepted objection, that was ruled DNS or DNF, that was excluded or disqualified, or that disputes the published results.
• How: in writing to the President of the Jury, no later than one hour after the race concludes (or after the official results are published for a disputed result), with a $100 deposit that is refunded if the protest is upheld.
• Decision: in writing, before the next round of the event and no later than two hours after the last race of the day.
• The Board is the President of the Jury plus two Jury members; no one directly involved (for example the Umpire or Starter) sits on it.

Sources: Rules 84, 85, 94 and 82 By-Laws.