Question:

Boats A and B are reaching up the starting line on port tack with 30 seconds to go to the starting signal. There are no boats astern of B. As A approaches Boat S, on starboard tack, A hails, “Room to Tack!” B responds, “No way, you’re not close-hauled!” A bears away, sails astern of S and hails, “Protest!” B sails for two lengths and tacks to leeward of S.

You are on the protest committee; how would you decide this?