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Race Officer Training

Version 03 [Draft] March ‘13

© chamberssailing.org

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Rules of the day

The rules for the day will be:• ASK - If you don’t understand• SAY - If you have something to add• QUESTION – if you are unsure• SILENCE – what is said in the room, stays in the

room• ANSWER – if you don’t know an answer then say

so, others probably don't either• FOOL – the only foolish question is the one you

wished you asked, but didn't• Others?

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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?

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Roles

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Start Issues

Race Issues

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Summary

Agenda

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Terminology

Key terminology:

• The ‘gun’ only draws attention to the flag

• The ‘flag’ controls what happens

• The ‘gun’ is irrelevant

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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!

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Race Issues

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Preparation

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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.

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Your flags and starting rules…..

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Preparing your flags

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Penalty On the start After the start Delay

• 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

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Preparing your flags: determine penalties

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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 restartSometime 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

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Start

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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 MarkMark #1

Start Line

Wind

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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’

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Windward MarkMark #1

Start Line

Wind

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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.

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Windward MarkMark #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).

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Rule 22 Starting Errors

Rule 22 Starting Errors, Penalties, moving astern22.1 A 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

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NOT OCSOCSArea

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Start

Terms

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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 MarkMark #1

Start Line

Wind

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Course

Terms

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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

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Microsoft Office PowerPoint Presentation

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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

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Microsoft Office PowerPoint Presentation

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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]

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The Start Line

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Agenda Windward MarkMark #1

Start Line

Wind

• Set the start line 90o 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.

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The Start Line

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Start Line

Wind

• The start line needs to be long enough so all boats can, theoretically, start at the same time

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The Start Line

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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%]

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The Finish Line

Finish line must be crossed from the direction of the last mark, try and set the line so this is obvious

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Finish Line

Last Mark

From previous mark

Correct finish

Not finished

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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

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Finish Line

Last Mark

From previous mark

Correct finish

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The Finish Line

The finish line should be at about 90o to the direction of travel from the last mark

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Finish Line

Last Mark

From previous mark

About right angles

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The Start

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Start

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-5 minutesWarning Flag - UP

1 Sound

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Start

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-4 minutesPenalty Flag – UP

1 Sound

Penalty flags - choose 1 or 2

Racing Rules Apply

-1 minutesPenalty Flag - DOWN

1 LONG Sound

Penalty regime in force

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Start

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Start

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0 minutes - STARTWarning Flag - DOWN

1 Sound

GO!

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Start Issues

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Start Issues

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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.

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Start Issues

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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)

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Start Issues

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Agenda• More than one boat OCS and they

can not all be identified• Or where there has been an error

in the starting procedures• 1st Substitute Flag, Rule 29.1

General Recall• Flag UP – 2 sounds • Sound in addition to start signal• All boats return

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Start Issues

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Agenda• When all boats have returned, or• When race officer is ready• Lowers with 1 sound• The race countdown starts 1

minute after the 1st Substitute has been lowered with the warning flag at -5 minutes

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Start Issues: good practice tips

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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

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Finish

Terms

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Finish

Aim to:• Finish the first boat at about 55

minutes• Finish all boats in the shortest

possible timeShorten course• Rule 32.2, S Flag• Up – 2 sounds

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• Any boat that subsequently crosses the finish line shall be deemed to have finished and should be ‘belled’ across the finish line.

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Finish

Terms

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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

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Delays

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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.

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The OOD’s Friend!

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Delays

Removed with 1 sound

Warning signal indicating commencement of start sequence 1 minute after removal

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Delays

PostponementAll 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

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Delays

Remove when ready with 1 sound

Start sequence commences 1 minute after removal (-5 minute warning)

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Conclusion

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Aims and objectives

We have covered:• Your roles & responsibilities;• Setting the course;• Starting the race;• Pause/re-start the start sequence if

something goes wrong;• Stopping the race;• Cancelling or delay racing; and• Finishing the race• Do we need to recap anything?

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Can be accompanied by

a number pennant

indicating delay

-

Personal Crib Card

-5Warning -5

Time Flag

-4Penalty -5

-1Penalty in

force-5

0Start -5

~55Shorten Course

-5

See alternates

1 Sound

Bell over line

-5

Individual Recall General Recall

1 Sound

1 Long

1 Sound

2 Sound

1 Sound 2 Sound

1 SoundStart sequence commences 1

minute after removal

Line closes at +10 minutes, those

starting after that time marked DNS

Race Abandoned

3 Sound

-51 Sound

Start sequence commences 1

minute after removal

Race Postponed

2 Sound

1 SoundStart sequence commences 1

minute after removal