Race Management 101
Original Seminar Presented on May 22, 2004
Fifth Edition
March 28, 2008
Prepared by Greg Polanik
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I. INTRODUCTION
A. REASONS TO LEARN PROPER RC PROCEDURE
Required
Racers required to do RC duty
Respect
Racers invest a lot of time and money in racing
Fairness
Improperly run races are not a fair test of sailing skill
Learn To Race
Learn proper race procedures
Safety
No accidents at VSA
Fun
B. THIS CLASS WILL THE COVER BASICS
Enough to run Sunday, Wednesday and Cabin Boat Races
Introduction to what is needed at our major regattas
What you can expect to see at regattas at other clubs
C. DEFINITIONS
RC: Race committee
PRO: Principal Race Office
One-Design Racing: Boats of a particular class race head to head
Handicap Racing: Different types of boats race using corrected times
D. BASIC RACE COURSE
Tests skills of Boat Handling, Strategy & Tactics
Start
Any part of boat crosses starting line after starting signal
Entire boat does not have to cross the line to start
Starting sequence used because boats must keep moving
Course
Around marks
Marks left on one prescribed side of boat
Finish
Any part of boat crosses finish line
Entire boat does not have to cross the line to finish
Scoring
One Design - Order
Handicap - Elapsed Time
Number of Races on Sunday
First 2 races are official
Any other races are for fun
Skippers are encourages to give the tiller to a crew member to train new sailors
Schedule
Sunday races, One-Design and Handicap, warning signal at 13:30
Sunday Cabin Boat races, Handicap, warning signal at 13:40
Wednesday races, Handicap, warning signal at 18:00 (varies with season)
II. BASIC RC INFORMATION
A. TYPES OF RACE COURSES
Triangle (Δ)
1 or 2 times around, not often more
Windward - Leeward (WL)
1 or 2 times around, not often more
Gold Cup Modified (Triangle + Windward-Leeward) (GC)
Port vs. Starboard Rounding
Defined by which side of the boat a mark is left on
Use Port if at all possible
Starting Line - Finish Line
Set between Leeward and Windward Marks, closer to Leeward Mark
Typically Start and Finish to Windward
String Theory (Rule 28.1)
Start, Round Marks
in proper order and on proper side, Finish - so that a string tracing
your wake and pulled taught, passes each mark on required side and touches
each
rounding mark. Course errors may be
corrected before finishing.
Comparison
Test skills on different points of sail
Triangle (Δ)
Was most common in the past
Good speed on reaches, but difficult to pass boats on reaches
Works well in open locations
Should be set up with correct angles for spinnaker flying
Right Triangle - 45d 90d 45d
Equilateral Triangle - 60d 60d 60d
Windward - Leeward (WL)
Becoming more common
Leeward more tactical than reach
Uncomfortable in summer heat
Possible in restricted areas
Gold Cup Modified (GC)
Tests all points of sail
Longer
Need ideal location
Course Length / Number of Times Around
Time available
Area available
Wind speed
Shorter if very light or very heavy wind
Weather conditions
Pleasant, Hot, Cold, Rain
Many short legs - more tactical
Few long legs - test of boat speed
Other Options
Leeward finish (WL or GC)
Start / Finish Line set to Leeward of Leeward Mark (Leeward Finish)
Separate Start & Finish Lines
Starting Line set to Leeward of Leeward Mark
Finish Line set to Windward of Windward Mark
Offset Windward Mark
For large fleets, WL or GC
Leeward Gate
For large fleets
Fixed Marks
Course Board lists order and side of rounding
B. IDEAL RACE COMMITTEE (According to USSA)
PRO: In charge, assigns tasks to committee
Boat Operator: Drives committee boat
Mark Setter: Sets marks
Timer: Counts down time at start
Signaler: Signals with flags
Sounder: Produces gun/horn sounds
Line Sighter: Sights line at start and finish
Recorder: Records boats starting and finishing
Wind Reader: Notes wind direction and speed
Scorer: Tabulates scores
Safety Boat Driver: Drives Safety Boat
We rarely have that many people for Sunday / Wednesday Races
Each person must do multiple tasks
III. PROCEDURES
A. PREPARATION
Check Equipment
Gas on Committee Boat
Marks inflated, anchor lines secure
Load Equipment on to Committee Boat
Marks
RC Equipment
Check Flags
Hoist Orange Flag to top of Mast; Check for Orange Flag on Starting Pin
Check that other flags are ready
Check Safety Equipment
PFDs
Fire Extinguisher
Anchor
Cast Off
Harbor Warning
When leaving mouth of harbor, Hoist Blue Flag, 1 Long Horn Sound
Approximately 30 minutes before starting sequence begins
Timing
Leave the harbor in time to set the course and have the first race warning signal on time
Set the course after the Harbor Warning if you are experienced and can do it, or
Set the (partial) course and come back to give the Harbor Warning, if you need more time
B. SETTING THE COURSE
Check Wind
Best in middle of river for correct wind reading
Use Orange Flag, Blue Flag, hand held flag and Telltales to judge the wind
Wind Direction
Fairly Constant
Oscillating: Shifts back and forth
Persistent Shift: Shifts in one direction
Speed
Check River Conditions
Depth
Waves
Traffic
Design Best Possible Course
For the wind, water and weather conditions
Avoid tight reaches for spinnaker boats
For the commercial traffic conditions
For the available time
Minimum 2 races
Set Marks
Proper Mark setting technique
Driver motors upwind to location of mark
Be ready to kill motor if crew falls in
Mark Setter moves mark to foredeck, clears line, holds anchor
Move slowly upwind from spot to allow for scope of anchor line
As boat slows to stop, mark setter on foredeck lowers anchor
Check depth as anchor line hits bottom
Adjust length of anchor lines for proper scope for the depth
Too long and it can snag centerboards / rudders / keels
Too short and it will not hold
If water is too deep for proper scope, move in to shallower water
If water is too shallow for length of line, tie it shorter
Feed out line as boat begins to drift downwind
Power in reverse if current is preventing proper drift of boat
Throw mark in
Power away from mark and line (reverse best to start with)
Verify anchor is holding
Leeward
Use landmarks viewed from middle of course
Windward
Directly upwind from leeward, use landmarks, check at mid river
Gybe
Go to point halfway between windward and leeward
Turn 90 degrees
Motor until proper triangle shape is formed
Starting Pin
Upwind of Leeward Mark, 1/4 - 1/3 of the way from Leeward to Windward Marks
Anchor Committee Boat
Starting / Finish Line is a line between the Starting Pin and Committee Boat Mast
Orange Flags should be on mast and pin, and should always stay there
Starting line ideal length 1 to 1 1/2 times the total length of boats starting together
If only a few boats, Line should be 5 - 8 boat lengths minimum
Longer Line if conditions of wind and current warrant
Starting against current, or if there is a strong cross current
Drop anchor line upwind of location you want committee boat at
Drift back and cleat anchor line
Square starting line by adjusting anchor line
Watch as boats check line to see if it is square, adjust if necessary
Monitor Wind Direction
Reset Marks
Only if really necessary
Don’t waste too much time, we’re here to race
C. PRIOR TO THE START
Double Check that Flags are hoisted
Orange should always be on Mast (Defines Start / Finish Line)
Blue (denotes that RC is On-Station at Finish Line)
Fill out Score Sheet
Date
Name of PRO and Race Committee
Wind Velocity & Direction
Time of First Start
Important for handicap racing or if wind might die before races are complete
Post Course on Course Board
Course may change until Warning Signal, at which time it is Official
First symbol: Course Type (Δ, WL, GC)
Second Symbol: Number of times around the Course
Third Symbol: Side on which the Marks are to be left (P = Port, S = Starboard)
Fourth Symbol: Approximate location of the Windward Mark within the Race Area
(Refer to Attachment A for Letter Designations of the zones in the Race Area)
Decide if Personal Buoyancy Devices will be required to be worn
Hoist “Y” Flag
Record All the Boats Sailing in Area of Starting Line
List by class, sail number and skipper’s name
Boats who intend to race should sail by stern of RC boat, on
starboard tack, and hail their sail
number to RC before starting sequence begins
Late Boats
Wait for boats if they are held up
Barge, Dying wind
Our races are ‘informal’, so be tolerant
Do not wait for very late boats
Boats in harbor making repairs
Boats who are out cruising
Boats who clearly are being inconsiderate
Boats are responsible for being on time
D. STARTING
Procedures
Flags are the Official Signals
Horns are to draw attention to Flags
Example for 2 person RC during starting sequence
PRO: Timer, Sounder, Line Sighter
Crew: Signaler
No verbal communication with racers
Flags are the official signals, visible to all racers
Verbal communications can be protested
Our races are informal, so OK to help inexperienced sailors between races
Starting Sequence Using VSA flags
Our Multi-Class Warning Flag is White
Our 6 minute signal is a Courtesy Signal to get the attention of the boats, it is Not Official
Flag Signal Sound Time To Start Meaning____________________
Blue Down 1 Long Horn 6 +/- minutes 1 Minute to Warning - unofficial
White Up 1 Horn 5 minutes Warning
'P' Flag Up 1 Horn 4 minutes Preparatory
'P' Flag Down 1 Long Horn 1 minute 1 Minute to Start
White Down 1 Horn 0 minutes Start
Timing
Start the Elapsed Time stopwatch, for timing Handicap Races, at the Start
Note: Racing Rules are in effect when boats are sailing in or near the racing area
Boats are Racing from the Preparatory Signal until they clear the finish area
Violations can only be protested when boats are Racing
Multiple Starts / Signals
Sunday races with typical numbers of one-design and handicap boats
One start for all classes
White Warning Flag, no special signals
Sunday races with typical numbers of one-design and handicap boats, plus cabin boats
First Start - All One Design and Handicap classes together
Second Start - Cabin Boats
Cabin Boat Warning Flag is hoisted 5 minutes after the one-design Start
White Warning Flag, no special signals
Regattas and Sunday races with many one-design boats plus cabin boats
Separate starts for each One Design and Handicap class if many in each class, or
Separate starts for classes with many boats, the rest start together as Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Class includes all classes without their own start
Last Start - Cabin Boats
Order of starts is usually signaled on a special sign board on the RC boat, but
It could be signaled with separate Class Flags as Warning Signals for each Class
It could be signaled by Class Flags in descending order on the Mast
It could be noted in the Sailing Instructions, or be given as a verbal instruction
Recalls
Boats with any part of boat or crew, in their normal position, over the starting line at start
are “OCS” - On Course Side
Individual Recall
If a small number of identified boats are OCS
“X” Flag, with 1 Horn signal
Hail OCS Boats: Call out OCS sail numbers (megaphone)
Individual boats are responsible for determining if they started correctly
Drop “X” Flag when all OCS boats start properly, or after 4 minutes (no horn)
Score boats not starting properly as OCS
General Recall
If many boats are OCS
If several OCS Boats are unidentified
“First Substitute” Flag, with 2 Horn signals
Drop “First Substitute” Flag, with 1 Horn signal 1 minute before new Warning signal
Score boats which do not start “DNS”
Boats not starting and boats not finishing a previous race should stay out of starting area
Postpone
Because of RC Error, Barge Traffic, Major Wind Shift, Missing Mark
“AP” Flag, with 2 Horn signals
Drop “AP” Flag, with 1 Horn signal, 1 minute before new Warning signal
Hoist the Blue Flag after the Start
Blue Flag denotes that RC is On-Station at Finish Line
Hoist after all boats have started properly, or
Hoist 4 minutes after the Start if "X" Flag was flown
Common Errors
Understaffed RC boat, horn blown on time, flags late
Give priority to flags, get crew to help
Unfamiliar with how to quickly raise/drop flags
Practice raising/dropping flags before the start
Timing of flags off due to distracted RC members
Pay attention, avoid distractions, do not talk to boats
Timing of flags off due to error with operation of timer
Buy a watch/timer, learn to use it
Flags Raised or Dropped at an incorrect time
Learn the Sequence
Race starts just as barge is entering race area
Postpone
Postpone, and restart sequence if there is an error
Official Flags according to USSA
Standard Warning Flag: Class Flag
Standard Preparatory flag: “P”
Alternate Preparatory Flags: “I” - Rule 30.1 ‘Round-an-End Rule’ in effect
“Z” - Rule 30.2 ‘20% Penalty Rule’ in effect
"Z" and "I" together - Rule 30.1 and Rule 30.2
Black - Rule 30.3 ‘Black Flag Rule’ in effect
Variations on Start
Multiple Starts with several classes in each
All Dinghies together, all Cats together, all Keelboats together
Timing of Multiple Starts
Next warning flag hoisted as previous class starts
Fast, gets subsequent races going more quickly, but difficult
Next warning flag hoisted a fixed time after the previous class starts
1 minute or 5 minutes
More time for RC and boats to prepare, easier, but takes more time
Closed Start / Finish Line
Must be noted in Sailing Instructions if used
Only boats preparing to start, starting and finishing may cross the line
Boats crossing at other times are disqualified “DSQ”
Different courses for different classes
2 Windward Marks (different length windward legs)
If boats speeds vary
Gybe marks at different angles
Dinghies vs. Cats
Different number of times around course
If boats speeds vary
E. RACING
Check the Course
Watch how boats round the course to see if it’s set up correctly
Is the Starting Line perpendicular to the wind
Is Windward Leg directly upwind
Can spinnakers be flown on the Reaches
Is the Leeward Leg directly downwind
Is the Windward Mark in the wind shadow of shore
Watch for a major wind shift
Changing the Course While Boats are Racing On It
Change Direction of a Leg by Moving a Mark (if there is a major wind shift)
At mark that begins the changed leg, Display “C” Flag with Multiple Horns Sounds,
and information on the new direction,
(compass bearing to new mark, or; red or
green flag) Before any boats get there
Shorten or Lengthen Leg by Moving a Mark (if there is a major change in wing strength)
At mark that begins
the changed leg, Display “C” Flag with Multiple Horns Sounds,
and ‘+’ or ‘-’ sign, Before any boat gets there
Shorten course (to allow more races to be sailed, if wind has become light)
Finish at a Rounding Mark, Between the Mark and any Race Committee boat
At new Finish, Display “S” Flag with 2 Horn Sounds as first boat approaches
Display Orange Flag on the boat defining the new Finish Line
Changing the Course To Prepare For The Next Race
Move a Mark after all boats have rounded it, but before they finish
If you can time it correctly
Can do without having to signal out on the course
Be sure you can get back On-Station at Finish Line in time
Abandoning the Race
Because of RC
Error, Foul Weather, Lightning, Insufficient Wind, Unlikely to have
finishers within Time Limit, Time Limit Exceeded, Missing Mark, Barge Traffic
makes
racing unfair, Sunset
“N” Flag, 3 Horn Signals
Drop “N” Flag, 1 Horn Signal, 1 minute before new Warning
Safety
Watch for capsizes, especially in heavy air
Watch for boats in the channel if the wind dies
Help if needed
Especially if they are in the channel
Flag
If the RC boat moves off-station to change the course, drop the Blue Flag
Hoist Blue Flag
(RC is On-Station at Finish) after any course changes are made, and you
are back in position at the Finish Line, ready to record finishes
F. THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG
A mark moves because the anchor slips or a boat snags it
If there is time during the race, reset it
Replace the Mark with a boat flying the “M” Flag, with Repetitive Horn Sounds
If it moves a lot and racers are affected, Abandon the race
G. FINISHING
Flags
Orange Flag on Mast (Defines Start / Finish Line) Always Stays Up
Orange Flag on Pin (Defines Start / Finish Line)
Blue Flag (RC is On-Station at Finish)
Finishing
Any part of boat or crew, in it’s normal position, crosses the line
Not necessary for the entire boat to cross fully
Signals
Horn for first boat in each class as she finishes
Hail her sail number (megaphone)
Hail ‘Mark’ for all other boats as they finish (megaphone)
Hail sail numbers (megaphone)
Note: Boats are officially Racing until they finish and leave the starting area
Time Limits
No boats round windward mark within a fixed time, the race is Abandoned (45 minutes)
No boats finish within a fixed time, the race is Abandoned (90 minutes)
Some boats do not finish within a fixed time after the first boat finishes (45 minutes)
Boats exceeding this time limit will be scored DNF
The Race Committee
Committee may change this so that boats exceeding this time
limit will be scored in-place or scored the number of finishers plus 1
The Race Committee Committee may further define the Time Limits
Variations on Finish
Different Start / Finish Lines
Move line upwind during race
For longer last leg or to finish the last race near the Club
Finish line should be shorter than Starting Line, 5 to 8 Boat Lengths Long
If RC is not at the line (Rescuing a boat, Leading a Barge, Moving a Mark)
Finish close aboard the pin, across
a line perpendicular to the last leg, and leaving the
pin on the side which the course board indicated the Marks were to be left
Boat records her own Position or Time, and reports it later to the RC
Scoring
One-Design
Record Order only, within each class, not the elapsed time
Handicap
Record Elapsed Time from the Start
If a boat gets an 'Alphabet' Score (see 'Other Scores'), still note order or time of finish
In case the 'Alphabet' Score is later thrown out
Other ('Alphabet') Scores
DNS: Did Not Start (was in starting area, did not start)
DNC: Did Not Compete (for boats registered at a regatta who don't sail)
OCS: On Course Side
DNF: Did Not Finish
DSQ: Disqualified
RAF: Retired After Finishing
FIP: Finished in Place (with position)
Score All Boats
All boats listed on score sheet should have a score
Leave no blank scores for any boats listed on score sheet
Boats which have finished should leave the starting area
Note Protests
Racers should hail RC as soon as possible after the race, without disturbing them
Racers should fill out protest sheets and turn them in to the RC after the races
The Race Committee can file a protest if it witnesses the infraction
The RC can score a boat appropriately
for not starting or finishing correctly
(such as DNS, OCS or DNF), it can score a boat RAF if that boat informs the
RC that it has Retired, but it cannot score a boat DSQ.
Only the
Protest Committee can, after a Protest Hearing
Note protest on the score sheet
If a boat is protested, still note order or time of finish
Filing a protest does not automatically give the protested boat a DSQ score
Turn Protest Sheets over to Protest Committee after the races
RC Actions Report
Explain reasons for such things as:
Abandoning a Race, Shortening Course, 'Alphabet' Scores, Protests by RC
Scoring Systems (to be done later by the Scorer)
Sunday / Wednesday Races: High Point System
Each boat gets 1 point for starting, plus
Each boat gets 1 point for each boat she beats, plus
First Place boat gets an additional 1/4 points
DNS: 0
DNC: 0
OCS: 0
DNF: 1
DSQ: 0
RAF: 0
FIP: same as their normal score
Regattas: Low Point System
First Place 1 point
Others Score = Finishing Position
DNS: 1 point more than the number of boats entered
DNC: 1 point more than the number of boats entered
OCS: 1 point more than the number of boats entered
DNF: 1 point more than the number of boats entered
DSQ: 1 point more than the number of boats entered
RAF: 1 point more than the number of boats entered
FIP: same as their normal score
H. OTHER SIGNALS
Race Postponed, No More Races today “AP” over “A” Flags, 2 Horn Signals
Race Postponed, Further Signals Ashore “AP” over “H” Flags, 2 Horn Signals
Races Abandoned, No More Races today “N” over “A” Flags, 3 Horn Signals
Races Abandoned, Further Signals Ashore “N” over “H” Flags, 3 Horn Signals
I. AFTER THE RACES
Pick up all the marks
Be sure all boats are accounted for
In the harbor
Sailing toward the harbor
Out for a cruise or practice
Tie the Committee Boat to the seawall
Stow equipment which stays on the boat
Lower all flags
Return the Committee Box to the Closet
Put the marks back in the Clubhouse, with anchor lines neatly coiled
Collect any Protest Sheets
VSA will set up a Protest procedure
Put the score sheet in the envelope in the closet, or give it to the Scorer if he is there
IV. SPECIFICS FOR VSA
A. TOW BOAT SAFETY
The new VSA Barge Safety Rule is posted on our Web Site
Become familiar with this rule
When possible, lead the tow through the course with a Safety Boat
Lead at a distance of 1200 feet
(400 yards), staying on the side from which the boats are
approaching
This distance my be adjusted by the RC if the conditions so warrant
Boats crossing between Safety Boat and Tow are scored DSQ, with no appeal
In case of motor failure on the Safety Boat, stay to the side of the path of the Tow
Without Safety Boat, Racers must judge the distance
Racers are not allowed to cross in front of the Tow by less than 1200 feet (400 yards)
Boats crossing too close to the Tow are scored DSQ, with no appeal
Be ready to provide assistance if the wind dies while a boat is crossing, or if a boat capsizes or
is otherwise disabled
The Barge Safety Rule allows
boats to continue racing, under specified conditions, after
accepting assistance.
Please enforce this rule!
B. SETTING COURSES ON THE RIVER
Sunday and Wednesday Races
Wednesday evening race courses are often set fairly short, due to sunset
Sunday race courses should be as long as practical, do not set unnecessarily short courses
Channel
No marks in the channel
Keep the course out of the channel if there is a lot of commercial traffic
Shoals
Do not set marks in less than 6’ of water
Wind Shadow
North wind - Keep marks away from bluffs
South wind - Keep marks away from both shores, especially in light air
Light Wind
Keep the course out of the channel if possible
Avoid setting marks down river
Heavy Air
Keep the course out of the channel if possible
Avoid setting marks down river
Strong Current
Avoid setting marks down river
Double check anchors
Longer Starting line if starting upriver or across river
Shifting Wind
Oscillating Wind
Try to set windward mark at average wind direction
Persistent Shift
May need to reset between races
Examples of Typical Situations
Set the best possible course for the given conditions
Look over the river and try to superimpose an ideal course
Adjust the ideal course to fit the river
C. RC EQUIPMENT
Committee Boat
Checking Gas, Mixing Oil, Changing Gas Tanks, Starting, Operation, Docking
RC Equipment
Score Sheets, Pen, Megaphone, Flags, Course Signs, Timer, Wind Gauge, Radio
D. RESOURCES
Valley Sailing Association
US Sailing Association
The Racing Rules Of Sailing