How is the finish judged, and how does the umpire clear a race?

Finish (Rule 5.9)

• A crew has finished when the bow of its boat crosses the finish line. The bow ball also helps separate close finishes.
• The result stands even if the crew is incomplete, but a crew in a coxed event that crosses without its coxswain is not placed.
• A race is over only when the last crew has crossed the line.

Judges at the finish (Rule 12.7) decide the order in which the bows cross, time each crew, check with the umpire that the race was in order, and authorise the results sheet. They don't announce an official result while an objection is pending.

Clearing the race (Appendix E.9)

• The umpire makes sure no crew is objecting, then raises the white flag to show the race was in order.
• If the umpire, or a crew, thinks the race was not properly run, the umpire raises the red flag, consults the objecting crew, rules, and tells the finish judges.
• Before leaving the finish area, the umpire confirms the finish judges have acknowledged that the race is cleared.
• The umpire can only change placings by excluding or disqualifying a crew.

Dead heats in preliminary races go to the President of the Jury, who decides how the crews progress.