I don't see how the '5 mile' thing applies. *If he exits the cylinder,
hasn't he started?

Thanks
Fred

Here's what it's for. Suppose you start, then you go out on course 6
miles. But it's really crappy, so you go back and start again. This
time, you hit the dirt 2 miles out. Without this provision, you would
be forced to take the last start, and get credited for 2 miles. Now,
you're allowed to take the first start and get credit for 6 miles.

It also means that if you go through the start cylinder after having
rounded the first turnpoint, the letter of the rules does not require
this to count as a new start.

John Cochrane BB