Race Officer Training 1 Version 04 [Draft] March ’15 Garry Chambers & Chris Cooper Club Race Officer+ © chamberssailing.org

2 Agenda The course outline: Terminology; Roles and responsibilities; Preparation; The course; The start; Problems with the start Problems during the race; The finish; Delays; and What’s next? Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

3 Terminology Key starting terminology: The ‘gun’ only draws attention to the flag The ‘flag’ controls what happens The ‘gun’ is irrelevant at the start Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

4 Roles and responsibilities The Race Officer is responsible for the conduct of the racing, which includes: Ensure races are run in accordance with the rules; Maintain and record scores/times; Assure the safety of the fleet, considering: Risk assessments; Weather and water conditions; Confirm if non-racing dinghies can sail (bylaw 19.9) Stop a boat/person from sailing if in Race Officer opinion it is not safe to do so (bylaw 19.9.a) Ensuring adequate safety boat cover Set the course Don’t forget: Arrange a swap with someone else if you cant make your allocated date! Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

5 Preparation Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda 5 You need to prepare for the race, this includes: Is it safe to sail? Is there adequate rescue boat cover? What direction is the wind? Are all the buoys in place? Are there any hazards? Are the Club’s risk assessments still valid? Brief your team, check knowledge etc Prepare your flags Set your course Advise competitors how long to the start Try to be on time.

6 Your flags and starting rules….. Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

Preparing your flags Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda PenaltyOn the startAfter the startDelay There are 5 broad categories of flags; The flags all have specific meanings; It pays to set them in an order; Do you know what they are? Warning

Rule 30.3 Any boat in the triangle formed by the start line and first mark, in the last minute before the start is disqualified (DSQ) without a hearing 8 Preparing your flags: determine penalties Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda P Flag I Flag Z Flag Black Flag Rule 30.1 Any boat OCS in the last minute before the start must go around the ends and restart Sometime called round the end rule A boat over the line at the start must return to the pre- course side of the start line and re-start Rule 30.2 Any boat in the triangle formed by the start line and first mark, in the last minute before the start shall take a 20% penalty without a hearing ‘I’ and ‘Z’ can be flown together resulting in both penalties being in force. Penalty flags (Code flags) You can fly more than one; They impose different penalties/obligations

OCS 9 Start Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda What is ‘Over the Course Side’ [OCS]? A boat is deemed OCS when: In the last minute before the start (-1 to 0 minutes); Is on the course side of the start line including its extensions Windward Mark Mark #1 Start Line Wind

10 I-Flag Rule (aka Round the Ends) Rule 30.1 I Flag Rule. A boat that is OCS when Rule 30.1 is in force, shall: ‘sail from the course side across an extension to the pre-start side before starting’ Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Windward Mark Mark #1 Start Line Wind

11 I-Flag Rule (aka Round the Ends) Rule 30.1 I Flag Rule. The rule was called ‘Round the Ends’ but has been renamed ‘I-Flag Rule’ because it was realised that it can be complied with, without sailing around the end. Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Windward Mark Mark #1 Start Line Wind It crossed an ‘extension’ to the pre- course side and therefore complied with the rule. Probably not recommended as maybe difficult to prove that you did your penalty, could be difficult cutting through the fleet on the start line (22.1).

12 Rule 22 Starting Errors Rule 22 Starting Errors, Penalties, moving astern 22.1A boat sailing to the pre-start side of the start line after her starting signal to start or to comply with rule 30.1 (I Flag) shall keep clear of a boat not doing so until she is completely on the pre-start side of the line 22.2 A boat taking a penalty shall keep clear of one that is not 22.3 A boat moving astern through the water shall keep clear of one that is not Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

NOT OCS OCS Area 13 Start Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda For Z and Black Flag A boat is deemed in breach of the rule when: In the last minute before the start (-1 to 0 minutes); Is in a triangle formed by the marks at the end of the start line and the first mark Windward Mark Mark #1 Start Line Wind

14 Course Considerations before setting the course: Wind direction, try to have a beat start and try to include reach and a run Set a longer course than expected – easier to shorten it later (shorten course); Look for wind shadows, direction changes, hazards (weed); Check all the buoys are in place, consider if they should be moved; Avoid looping around marks Display course in good time Consider using one of the standard courses Set the start and finish lines the best you can – we need to acknowledge wind shifts Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

15 Course Other considerations: The first mark should really be a PORT rounding Try to avoid figure-8 courses as they get repetitive Try to avoid too many crosses on the course Think of where the gybe mark is in relation to the wind Try and sail on all points of sailing Avoid simple possessions as they give little room for over-taking Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

16 Course Rule 27.1 The course must be displayed no later than the warning signal (-5 minutes) This rule can be changed by the local sailing instructions – at Rotherham we have not. Rule 27.2 No later than the preparatory signal (- 4 minutes) the race committee can move a starting mark Rule 27.3 At any time prior to the starting signal (0 minutes) the race committee can postpone or abandon a race/racing [more later] Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

17 The Start Line Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Windward Mark Mark #1 Start Line Wind Set the start line 90 o to the wind Set the Windward Mark about in the middle of the start line Try and ensure that boats have to do at least one tack.

18 The Start Line Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Start Line Wind The start line needs to be long enough so all boats can, theoretically, start at the same time

19 The Start Line Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Start Line Wind How long should the start line be? There is no rule; Good practice is: Number of Boats x Average length of a boat PLUS 10% to 50% [ISAF recommend 30%-50%]

20 The Finish Line Finish line must be crossed from the direction of the last mark, try and set the line so this is obvious Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Finish Line Last Mark From previous mark Correct finish Not finished Correct finish

21 The Finish Line This can be achieved by adjusting the position of the line to the last mark or the last mark relative to the finish line Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Finish Line Last Mark From previous mark Correct finish

22 The Finish Line The finish line should be at about 90 o to the direction of travel from the last mark Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Finish Line Last Mark From previous mark About right angles

23 Start Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda -5 minutes Warning Flag - UP 1 Sound

24 Start Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda -4 minutes Penalty Flag – UP 1 Sound Penalty flags - choose 1 or 2 Racing Rules Apply

-1 minutes Penalty Flag - DOWN 1 LONG Sound Penalty regime in force 25 Start Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

26 Start Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda 0 minutes - START Warning Flag - DOWN 1 Sound GO!

27 Start Issues Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda One or more boats OCS (including I Flag) and they can be identified. These boats are recalled – ‘individual recall’ X Flag, Rule 29.1 Flag UP – 1 sound Sound in addition to start signal Lowered when all boats identified have returned and started correctly.

28 Start Issues Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda If a boat does not return? They are not deemed to have started until they cross the start line correctly Probably as they complete ‘their’ first lap – so first lap disregarded. The lines closes after 4 minutes from the start (rule 29.1) a boat starting or deemed starting after +4 minutes is deemed ‘Did Not Start’ (DNS) RSC SI 10 minutes

29 Start Issues Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda More than one boat OCS and they can not all be identified Or where there has been an error in the starting procedures 1 st Substitute Flag, Rule 29.1 General Recall Flag UP – 2 sounds Sound in addition to start signal All boats return

30 Start Issues Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda When all boats have returned, or When race officer is ready Lowers with 1 sound The race countdown starts 1 minute after the 1 st Substitute has been lowered with the warning flag at -5 minutes

31 Start Issues: good practice tips Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda You need someone to: Sight down the start line; Who can communicate with boats of they are OCS (e.g. Shout) Who can communicate with you so you know whether to initiate an individual or general recall One hand up – individual recall Two hand up – general recall Use the radios

32 Finish Aim to: Finish the first boat at about 55 minutes Finish all boats in the shortest possible time Shorten course [“about to finish”] Rule 32.2, S Flag Up – 2 sounds Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Any boat that subsequently crosses the finish line shall be deemed to have finished and should be ‘belled’ across the finish line.

33 Finish Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda Finish Line Last Mark From previous mark Crossed the line before the shorten course – has to complete the lap he is on Not crossed the line when course was shortened – finishes when crosses the line

34 Delays Race Abandoned Rule 32.1, N Flag Up – 3 sounds Used prior to the start of a race (0 minutes). A race abandoned will be started at a later stage. Can be used because of error in start procedure. Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda The OOD’s Friend!

35 Delays Removed with 1 sound Warning signal indicating commencement of start sequence 1 minute after removal Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

36 Delays Postponement All races started are delayed (indefinite – until withdrawn). Rule 27.3 Can be used for a general delay e.g. Weather or error in start procedure. Can only be used before the start of a race (0 minute) Up – 2 sounds Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

37 Delays Remove when ready with 1 sound Start sequence commences 1 minute after removal (-5 minute warning) Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

38 Summary, Question, Answers & Test! Terms Roles Prep Course Start Start Issues Race Issues Finish Delays Summary Agenda

39 Can be accompanied by a number pennant indicating delay - Personal Crib Card -5 Warning -5 Time Flag -4 Penalty -5 Penalty in force -5 0 Start -5 ~55 Shorten Course -5 See alternates 1 Sound Bell over line -5 Individual RecallGeneral Recall 1 Sound 1 Long 1 Sound 2 Sound 1 Sound2 Sound 1 Sound Start sequence commences 1 minute after removal Line closes at +10 minutes, those starting after that time marked DNS Race Abandoned 3 Sound -5 1 Sound Start sequence commences 1 minute after removal Race Postponed 2 Sound 1 Sound Start sequence commences 1 minute after removal