1. CLUB RACE OFFICER COURSE

2. Race Management Club Race Officer (CRO)
RYA Club Race Officer Plus (CRO+)
RYA Regional Race Officer (RRO)
RYA National Race Officer (NRO)
ISAF International Race Officer (IRO)
Explain that IROs automatically keep NRO status.

3. Race Management Club Race Officer National Race Officer
One day seminar (level 1 course)
Endorsed by suitable experience
National Race Officer
RRO
2 day seminar with written test
Appropriate experience
(4 major events) - submit CV
2 References
VHF, PBL2, ISAF Manual
Club Race Officer+
2 day seminar
written test
Regional Race Officer
Club Race Officer+
Appropriate experience
(4 events) - submit CV
1 Reference
VHF
International Race Officer (ISAF appointment)
NRO
4 principal events - submit CV
National Authority Nomination
3 References
Explain the whole Race Management Training scheme.
Club Race Officer
To provide a basic syllabus for club race management needs.
To achieve a basic standard of race management within a club.
To teach basic signalling, course laying, the basic routines of starting, managing and finishing races and safety.
Open Meeting Race Officer (must be a Personal Member of the RYA)
To produce a high standard of race management at club open meetings, regattas and area championships.
To build on the syllabus and course for club race officers to enable race officers to handle larger fleets, keener competition and more demanding conditions.
National Race Officer (must be a Personal Member of the RYA)
The RYA sets a high standard for the vital position of NRO.
People meeting this standard will be recognised and trusted for their expertise.
International Race Officer
The RYA will normally only recommend NRO’s for this position.
Details can be found on the ISAF website.

4. RYA Website www.rya.org.uk/raceofficials Go on-line and show:
Race Officials Homepage
RYA Race Management Manual
RYA Case Book

5. RYA Website Go on-line and show: Race Officials Homepage
RYA Race Management Manual
RYA Case Book

6. Weather Chart Forecasts BBC Met Office Free Forecasts XC Weather
Windguru
Subscription Forecasts
Windguru Pro
PredictWind
ProGrib
Weather Stations
BrambleMet
Cowes Harbour Weather
WAP Weather
Bramblemet/wap
Go on-line and demonstrate.
Ask for others’ favourites and explore them too.

7. Terminology Use these terms at all times!
A signal (flag) is always DISPLAYED
A signal that is displayed is at some time REMOVED
These are the terms used in the preamble to ‘Race Signals’
‘Shall’ - mandatory action
‘Will’ - intended action
‘Should’ - best endeavours
‘May’ - optional action
Use these terms at all times!

8. Race Committee PRO RO DRO ARO Visual Signals Gunner Timekeeper
Recorders
Pin end crew
Finish boat crew
Mark Layers
Beach Master
Safety Officer
Gunner & Timekeeper is often the same person.
What do recorders do?
Pre Start
Start
During
Finish

9. Layout of Flags and Halyards
Minimum flag size 3’x2’ (90cm x 60cm)
The Boom holding the flags should be as high as possible.
Note the 2 Recall signals are displayed on the course side of the start line.
The Orange flag indicating the start line, can be on a staff or mast, separate from the other flags.

10. Personal Equipment
Show example kit.

11. Signals Flag Displayed Flag Removed (Executive Signal) Sound Signal
Tells what is going to happen
Flag Removed (Executive Signal)
Order is carried out
Sound Signal
Draws attention to visual signal
Sound signals don’t matter except….

12. The Wind No tide or current Ground Wind
Ground Wind (or Gradient Wind):
Measured from a fixed point on the ground
(or anchored committee boat)

13. The Wind No gradient wind at all! A still sunny day
But the tide is running
Tide Induced Wind
Tide

14. The Wind Ground Wind Sailing Wind Sailing Wind:
Wind experienced by a free floating boat stopped in the water
Then the gradient kicks in
Emphasise the difference between ‘Ground Wind’ and ‘Sailing Wind’.
Tide Induced Wind ?
Tide

15. COURSES

16. Courses Important factors affecting race management Clean winds
Even depth of water
Minimal tidal currents
Enough space
Course areas not overlapped

17. Windward-Leeward Course
Alternatives for this course are:
More rounds
Finish upwind of mark 1
No gate at Mark 2
Gate laid square to the ‘sailing wind’
Disadvantages of the alternatives

18. Sausage Triangle Course
Course angles can be:
600
450 (900 at mark 2)
700 (to give both a close reach & a broad reach)
The finish can also be
located downwind of mark 3

19. Trapezoid Course Two parallel W/L courses
Which fleet goes on which loop?
Keeping the fleets separate.
Two parallel W/L courses
70o for boats without spinnakers
60o for boats with spinnakers

20. Round the Cans Course Uses fixed marks +/- laid marks
Provides a mix of courses in one
Interesting courses
Restricted depending on the position of fixed marks
May not produce a great beat because of fixed position of marks
May not produce a great run because of fixed position of marks
Which fleet goes on which loop?
Keeping the fleets separate.

21. Top Tips for Round the Cans
Research previous courses for length
Check marks are in situ
Mark roundings - same for all classes
Avoid channel marks
No looping of marks
Common final marks to enable shortening
Allow for tide

22. The Downwind Leg Accuracy is very important
The accuracy of this leg to the wind is quite important. To give boats the opportunity to sail down wind tactically and have the chance of passing other boats, the ability to carry spinnakers on either gybe is essential.
This can only be achieved if the downwind leg is within 50 of the wind direction. Anything greater will cause all the boats to sail on the same gybe and reduce passing opportunities dramatically.
As the wind speed increases the boats will sail deeper making the accuracy of this leg more important.
Accuracy is very important
Especially with increasing wind speeds when the boats will sail very deep

23. Tidal Compensation - Windward Leg
A rule of thumb guide is:
in >10kts wind & 1kt of tide set the windward mark downtide 150 of the ground wind
in <8kts wind & 1kt of tide, the offset is 200 or more
for tides diagonal to the wind, halve the allowance
for 2kts tide double the allowance W2 W1
12 kts wind
1 kt tide
150

24. Tidal Compensation - Leeward Leg
The adjustment of the running leg to the tide is critical for a good race
Rule of thumb:
No matter what the wind strength, set the leeward mark 5o downtide of the ground wind for every 1 knot of cross tide L1 L2
Any wind
1 knot
tide 50
Again, for diagonal tides halve the offset and for tide of 2 knots double it.

25. Tidal Compensation - Solutions
150 3 50 2 1
Use an offset mark as a tidal correction leg. This will only work with tide in one direction unless the roundings are to starboard!
12kts wind
1 knot
tide
Use an offset mark to create
a ‘tidal correction’ leg)

26. Tidal Compensation - Solutions
The ‘X’ course
Wind
The ‘zigzag’ course
Current

27. Tidal Compensation - Compromise
When you only have 2 marks:
Set up on the Sailing Wind
Equally skewed upwind and downwind 2 1
When you only have 2 marks, set up on the Sailing Wind when both beat and run will be equally skewed. GW
Sailing Wind
Tide Induced Wind
Tide

28. Always stream parallel to the committee boat!
Laying the Start Line
Drop, drop, drop
Always stream parallel to the committee boat!

29. Start Line Length Number of boats x length of the boat plus 10% to 50%
ISAF recommendation multiplying factor 1.3 to 1.5
Other factors are:
size and manoeuvrability of boats
sea conditions
wind strength
current

30. Set line at 90o to Sailing Wind
Line Bias for Tide
Wind
Bad
Current
Move pin
down wind
Good
Set line at 90o to Sailing Wind

31. Starboard bias on the start
Line Bias for Tactics
Mark 1
Wind
Factors to consider across the course are:
wind angles
wind velocity
waves
current
Weak tide in Bay
Strong tide
Starboard bias on the start

32. The Gate Minimum width: 1 zone +1 boat length +1 zone
(When zone is 3 boat lengths, minimum width = 7 boat lengths)
Usual width: 8-10 boat lengths
Angle between gate: same principles as a start line
Bias for tide
Bias for tactics

33. STANDARD PROCEDURES

34. Pre-Start Procedures Race team briefing
Record as many boats in the start area as possible
Monitor the wind direction and strength
Set up the boat to ensure that all systems are in place and working - sound signals, flags tied on securely etc.
Communicate with other race courses and commercial traffic to ensure no issues are pending
Radio checks and time checks

35. Starting Systems Attention signal Warning signal Preparatory signal
One minute
Start
RRS Default
5 mins
4 mins
1 min
10 mins
5 mins
1 min
4 mins
Others
All timings and associated actions may be altered from RRS default by SIs

36. Starting Procedures
Time keeper is the most important person!

37. Starting Procedures

38. Starting Procedures

39. Starting Procedures

40. Starting Procedures WARNING SIGNAL When? Method at the advertised time
class flag displayed
one sound signal

41. Starting Procedures PREP SIGNAL When? Method warning + 1
papa displayed
one sound signal

42. Starting Procedures ONE MINUTE SIGNAL When? Method warning + 4
papa removed
one long sound signal

43. Starting Procedures START SIGNAL When? Method warning + 5
class flag removed
one sound signal

44. Starting Procedures ASSOCIATED ACTIONS At or before warning signal:
Display course
Before preparatory signal:
Set the start line
Make attachments to the committee boat

45. Starting Procedures P – default I – rule 30.1 applies
no penalties apply
I – rule 30.1 applies
round-an-end rule
during 1 min before start
Z – rule 30.2 applies
20% penalty rule
during 1 min before start
Black – rule 30.3 applies
black flag rule
during 1 min before start

46. DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START
Starting Procedures
P – default
no penalties apply
DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START

47. DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START
Starting Procedures
I – rule 30.1 applies
round-an-end rule
during 1 min before start
DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START

48. Starting Procedures Z – rule 30.2 applies DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START
20% penalty rule
during 1 min before start
DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START
Add 20% of number of boats entered to her score

49. DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START
Starting Procedures
Black – rule 30.3 applies
black flag rule
during 1 min before start
DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START
Disqualified

50. Starting Procedures Line officer commentates on the start
Line recorder records boats movements from commentary
Race Officer communicates with line officer on committee boat and pin end line officer
Line officers use tapes to record observations
It’s the Race Officer’s decision re clear line, individual recall or general recall

51. Monitoring the Race Observe the fleet throughout Where are they?
Is the course what you intended?
Time legs/laps and calculate finish times
You may want to shorten
Watch for casualties
Watch for commercial traffic
Are they sailing the correct course
Do not protest unless it is a blatant offence and affects the
fairness of the race – leave protesting to the competitors!
Prepare for the next race

52. Finish line is defined in the SIs
Finishing Procedures
Finish line is defined in the SIs
- usually between the mast flying the orange flag and the last mark of the course

53. Finishing Line 7 boat lengths long
At 90o to last mark for ‘round the cans’
At 90o to sailing wind for beats or runs
To be crossed from the direction of the last mark 5
LAST MARK OF COURSE: 5

54. Finishing Procedures Two finishing records Collect independently
One design only requires the time of 1st and last finisher with an order of finishing
Only record what you see
Do NOT cheat/crib
Cross check during lulls and at the end
Two second disparity is acceptable on timed records
Taped records can be very useful

55. OTHER PROCEDURES

56. Postponement These signals can be used for any reason whatsoever!
Even use them as the panic button
Reasons can include:
buoy drifting
major wind shift leading to heavily biased line
mistiming between signals
misfiring of sound signals
broken halyards on the committee boat
etc. etc.

57. Postponement Display AP All races not started are postponed
Can only be used before the start

58. Postponement AP AP over a numeral AP over H AP over A
Indefinite postponement
AP over a numeral
Hours postponement
AP over H
Further signals ashore
AP over A
No more racing today

59. Individual Recall
Identify those boats that are OCS (On the Course Side of the line)

60. Individual Recall
Identify those boats that are OCS (On the Course Side of the line)

61. Individual Recall Display X Record OCS
Watch the boat(s) to see if they return
Leave displayed for 4 minutes if they do not return
When all returned remove X (without a sound signal) and delete OCS from record

62. General Recall
Identify those boats that are OCS (On the Course Side of the line)

63. General Recall Display 1st Sub To be used:
when there are several unidentified OCSs
or if there is an error in procedure

64. Abandon Racing Display N
The race that has started is Abandoned, return to the starting area.
‘N’ displayed alone cannot be used before the start
Use for:
errors in the course, dangerous or foul conditions, major wind shifts,
late recognition of errors in start sequence, wind vanished, etc
Beware multiple class starts!

65. Abandon Racing N N over H N over A Abandoned, return to start area
Abandoned, further signals ashore
N over A
Abandoned , no more racing today

66. Shorten Course Display S Displayed at a rounding mark
finish between the rounding mark and the staff displaying the ‘S’ flag
In multi-class races
display over class flag(s) if not shortening all classes
Use when
wind dies, another race needs to be fitted into the day, etc

67. Course Change Display C
Displayed at the mark before the leg to be changed
- on a RIB
Must be displayed as each boat approaches this mark
Displayed with associated signals:
Red square, green triangle, +, -, bearing

68. Mark Missing
Display M
Displayed in the position a mark was expected to be
- on a RIB
Must be displayed before the leader is in the vicinity
preferably before that leg starts

69. Restarting After Postponement Remove AP
Remove 1 minute before warning signal

70. Restarting After General Recall Remove Ist Sub
Remove 1 minute before warning signal

71. Restarting After Abandonment Remove N
Remove 1 minute before warning signal

72. After Racing
Protests
Be helpful to competitors even if they are requesting redress from the race committee
Ensure that protest time limits are observed
Tell the truth in the protest room
Do not argue, challenge or question the competitors in the protest room
Leave it to the jury!

73. After Racing Debrief Personal assessment Group assessment
Get feed back from competitors

74. KEEL BOATS AND DINGHIES
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
KEEL BOATS AND DINGHIES
Ask delegates to admit to mistakes

75. Safety Dinghy Keel Boat Many youngsters (consents) Safety boats
Safety briefing
Tally system
Buoyancy aids often compulsory
Compliance with instruction compulsory
Few youngsters
Skipper’s responsibility
Y flag

76. Racing Conditions Dinghy Keel Boat Limited by risk of injury
Limited by risk of damage
Ability of fleet to be considered
Consider pressure on youngsters
Limited by committee boat
Skipper’s responsibility

77. Courses Dinghy Keel Boat One design Short course geography
Windward/Leeward
Trapezoid
One design & handicaps
Extensive course
Windward/Leeward
Fixed racing marks

78. WHEN IT GOES WRONG
Ask delegates to admit to mistakes

79. When it Goes Wrong Big wind shifts Committee boat moves at start
Competitor tangles around committee boat
Container boat approaching the beat at start
Course incorrectly displayed
Cruiser or fishing boat on the line at the start

80. When it Goes Wrong Finish line too shallow Flags don’t go up
Flags fall down
Mark is moved
Mark not present
Mark walks

81. When it Goes Wrong Visual Signals Mistimed or Absent
Results confused / omissions / lost
Sea Sickness
Sound signals are mistimed or absent
Timing error noticed after the start

82. When it Goes Wrong Recognise problems Admit your mistakes
Have contingency plans
Deal with issues