Why did the Tiger have Right of Way? Because he was Windward of you? I had an issue with this in a 14 race in Florida once. Got Protested after the race. He lost his appeal. Ok you were Windward. So you had to yield. I was Windward at Start and came between him and the marker timed perfectly. He Protested I “Cut him off!” We had 3 boat widths spacing between us side to side. I didn’t think I was wrong but no idea,as I was in my First race in my teen years. The Committee judged no Foul, but he remained Irate...
Sounds like you were fine space wise. The only problem is whether you forced him to have to bear away to avoid a collision...if not then that sounds legal. Windward boat keeps clear so the tiger in this case has right to the space.
The Tiger had right of way because I was windward - you don't have any rights for space at the committee boat or pin end of the start line. The leeward boat can push you head to wind before the start but after the gun he must not go past close hauled.
