It is not 20%+20% = 40%.  It is 20% each instance.

For example, a Z-flag penalty in a 12 boat fleet . . .
20% x 12 = 2.4 points, rounds to 2 points.  Another 20% penalty is another 2 points for a total of 4 points
40% x 12 = 4.8 points, which rounds to 5 points - which is incorrect.

And yes, the penalties can accumulate until it's not worth the effort to start.  The worst possible score (according to 44.3(c)) is that of DNF.

Thank you Matt

- Good catch on the calculation. That makes sense.
- And it certainly makes sense  to continue to accumulate penalties.

Best regards
John

I think they get 20% per attempted start, e.g. each attempted start results in a general recall, without limit.  If there are 5 attempts to start the race and they break the rule during each attempted start then it is 100% (5 x 20%).

However, I am not sure if they can break the rule multiple times per attempt to start the race. Suppose what if she is over at 1 minute, and then again at 45 seconds, and then again at 30 seconds, and then again at 15 seconds, getting back to the pre-start side after each, is it only one 20% penalty or 4?  To me, this is where the rule isn't crystal clear.  But I would probably interpret the rule as once per attempted start.

I agree with Matt on the math.

I agree that each subsequent restart under Z would incur an additional penalty.

But I also wonder if a PRO would run a third Z flag start, or move on to Black.

So does that mean if you poke your nose into the triangle three different times during the last minute of the start sequence you get three 20% hits? Or is it only for restarts of the same heat?

I think Matt's approach is generally correct, but he missed one important detail.  44.3(c) specifies a points penalty of 20% of the score for Did Not Finish.  In a 12 boat fleet, a DNF score is 13 points and 20% of 13 is 2.6, which rounds to 3 points.

Indeed, Kett.  That was not the rule when I missed that question on my first advanced race officer test in 2007 (the rule was changed from number of entries to DNF in the 2017-2020 rule book).  Nice catch!

Eric, no, there would have to be an intervening general recall between each attempt & breach.

Also note that the scoring penalty can't make the boat's score worse than what she would receive for DNF.