1. Let’s enjoy a great days sailing together.
A Guide to O.D.Teams for the setting of a course for races.
Objective:
To provide the best course for sailing the race given the prevailing conditions of;
Wind direction and strength and likely consistency
Numbers of boats and fleets racing, and availability of Safety boats and crews.
Timing of races.
Further considerations are necessary with regard to:
The age and experience of those sailing at particular events.
The prevailing conditions on the River, its stream and volume of other user traffic & mooring.
The health and Safety of all sailing, helping, present at the club and any other persons in the vicinity.
The capability of your O.D. Team.
NOTE: The suggested courses include use of a ‘DOWNSTREAM’ Start and of ‘GATE‘ Turns.
To use these you will need to be familiar with the procedures involved and are advised to enlist the help of experienced club members.
The Courses shown are as suggested by some of the most experienced club sailors. -- they are not mandatory and
naturally winds veer and back in between the directions shown to cause different preferences for a course.
Do your best, occasionally, when conditions allow, try a little variety, but don’t ‘be too Clever’
Let’s enjoy a great days sailing together.

2. E N S W Course Available for Cookham Reach Sailing
Compass
Number of boats and fleets sailing
CRSCClub
Course Available for Cookham Reach Sailing
‘Andrews Beach’ via Club to Cookham Bridge
Course determinants:
Consideration for other River users when siting marks.
WIND direction and strength
Stream sometimes needs to be considered

3. But fickle conditions will exist from the corner to the Club
North
Suggested Course settings:- N S E W
COOKHAM REACH
Compass
WIND
WIND -- from
The excellent opportunity for a windward start is best realised by an ‘Upstream’ start with a long beat to take an ‘A’ mark at Andrews to Stbd, or to Port – with the possibility of a ‘Gate’ turn, if you are familiar with that procedure..
A ‘B’ mark taken to Stbd would be placed opposite little bridge and the ‘C’ mark placed just upstream of the corner would be taken to Port. Finish would also be Upstream going to Windward..
If the wind is slightly West of North then a club start with an angled line to reduce the Stbd advantage is possible.
But fickle conditions will exist from the corner to the Club A B C
Start &
Finish
Either
Port or Stbd
Or Gate is possible

4. E N S W NW Conditions:- North West Suggested Course settings:-
COOKHAM REACH
Compass
WIND NW
WIND --from A B C
Better
Start
Given wind strength 3 + good racing conditions exist from Andrews to close to Cookham Bridge.
But beware going much beyond Club if wind is veering Northwards.
Club start windward to ‘B’ Stbd. Mark at bend. Close Reach to ‘A’ towards Andrews taken to Port or Stbd
Decided by placing Berks or Bucks bank. Broad Reach back to ‘B’Stbd mark Run to
‘C’ mark to Port positioned above club. Finish going to Windward at Club . Again a ‘Gate’ turn could be used
Towards Bridge if you are familiar with that procedure. A better first leg would be given with a ‘Downstream’ Start
Start &
Finish
Either
Port or Stbd

5. E N S W Conditions:- WIND -- from WEST Suggested Course settings:-
COOKHAM REACH
Compass
WIND A B C
Start &
Finish
A good beat to windward is unlikely. Start at club with significant Upstream Bias to line to give best possible beat to
‘B’ Stbd mark at bend. A reach to ‘A’ Stbd mark towards Andrews . ‘B’ Stbd. (to enable shortening signal if needed)
‘C’ Port mark at and if possible just above Club. But beware unpredictable wind downstream beyond club.
Club finish but avoid ‘Hook’ finish and Finish Downwind if ‘C’ is close to Club

6. E N S W SW Conditions:- South West Suggested Course settings:-
COOKHAM REACH
Compass
WIND SW
WIND -- from A B C
Start
This good wind direction provides excellent racing opportunities. An Upstream start beyond small bridge
is essential heading downstream to a ‘B’ Port mark placed just above corner. ‘C’ Port mark just below club
And ‘A’ port mark towards Andrews close to Berks bank or to Stbd. closer to Bucks bank which, if both are laid,
offers the opportunity for a ‘Gate’ turn giving a distance advantage to the Jibe Bucks bank Stbd mark.
Finish at Club. Avoid any need to sail in fickle conditions above Club.
Finish
Either
Port or Stbd
Or Gate is possible

7. E N S W Conditions:- South Suggested Course settings:- COOKHAM REACH
Compass
WIND
WIND -- from A B C
Start
Finish
Unpredictable winds above club and often fickle winds upstream beyond the corner. Check available wind upstream.
Upstream Start with windward leg to ‘B’ Port mark Fetch to ‘C’ Port mark at or just below club.
Reach and Run to ‘A’ Stbd. Mark towards Andrews in position where there is a good wind. Finish at club.

8. E N S W SE Conditions:- South East Suggested Course settings:-
COOKHAM REACH
Compass
WIND SE
WIND -- from A P C
Start &
Finish
Racing course is restricted to between the Corner and towards the bridge.
Start at Club with windward beat to ‘C’ mark taken either to Port or Stbd. And, If the wind is 2+ & reasonably steady,
then a ‘Gate’ turn could be introduced to add interest to the race - if you are familiar with that procedure.
In lighter winds a paddle mark needs to be provided 3 boat lengths beyond ‘C’.
Upstream run to ‘A’ Port mark towards the corner. Finish heading windward at Club.

9. E N S W Conditions:- East Suggested Course settings:- COOKHAM REACH
Compass
WIND
WIND -- from A C
Any good racing course is difficult to set. Some sailing areas will exist but also many shadowed zones.
The course will be Similar to that for a SE wind running, from a position towards the corner, up towards the bridge and must be closely inspected for best positions for the marks. A short course with Club start heading Downstream to ‘C ’taken either to Port or Stbd with a reach to ‘A’ Stbd mark. Club finish heading windward. P
Start
Finish
Either
Port or Stbd

10. E N S W NE Conditions:- North East Suggested Course settings:-
COOKHAM REACH
Compass
WIND NE
WIND -- from A B C
Start &
Finish
Very little opportunity for a good racing course.
Certainly avoid setting any course in the stretch between the corner and the Club and beyond.
Upstream start just beyond the corner heading upstream to ‘A’ Stbd. Mark towards Andrews . Returning via
a ‘B’ Port mark near to small bridge and ‘C’ Stbd. Mark at corner. Finish at the Upstream start line.