CLUB RACE OFFICER COURSE


Club Race OfficerOne day seminar (level 1 course)Endorsed by suitable experience

National Race OfficerRRO2 day seminar with written testAppropriate experience (4 major events) - submit CV2 ReferencesVHF, PBL2, ISAF Manual

Regional Race OfficerClub Race Officer+Appropriate experience (4 events) - submit CV1 ReferenceVHF

Club Race Officer+2 day seminarwritten test

International Race Officer (ISAF appointment)NRO4 principal events - submit CVNational Authority Nomination3 References

Race Management


RYA Websitewww.rya.org.uk/raceofficials


RYA Website


Chart ForecastsBBCMet Office

Free ForecastsXC WeatherWindguru

Subscription ForecastsWindguru ProPredictWindProGrib

Weather StationsBrambleMetCowes Harbour Weather

WAP WeatherBramblemet/wap

Weather


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!

Terminology


PRO

RO

DRO

ARO

Visual Signals

Gunner

Timekeeper

Recorders

Pin end crew

Finish boat crew

Mark Layers

Beach Master

Safety Officer

Race Committee


Minimum flag size 3’x2’ (90cm x 60cm)

Layout of Flags and Halyards


Personal Equipment


Flag DisplayedTells what is going to happen

Flag Removed (Executive Signal)Order is carried out

Sound SignalDraws attention to visual signal

Signals


Ground Wind

The Wind

Ground Wind (or Gradient Wind):

Measured from a fixed point on the ground(or anchored committee boat)

No tide or current


Tide Induced Wind

The Wind

Tide

No gradient wind at all!

A still sunny day

But the tide is running


Ground Wind

Tide Induced Wind

Sailing Wind

Sailing Wind:

Wind experienced by a free floating boat stopped in the water

The Wind

Tide

Then the gradient kicks in

?


COURSES


Clean winds

Even depth of water

Minimal tidal currents

Enough space

Course areas not overlapped

Important factors affecting race management

Courses


Alternatives for this course are:

– More rounds– Finish upwind of mark 1– No gate at Mark 2

Gate laid square to the ‘sailing wind’

1

2

Start and Finish

Windward-Leeward

Windward-Leeward 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 belocated downwind of mark 3

1

2

Windward-Leeward-Triangle

Start

Finish

Sausage Triangle Course


Two parallel W/L courses

70o for boats without spinnakers

60o for boats with spinnakers

1

2

3

4

TrapezoidInner & Outer Loops

Start

Trapezoid 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

Round the Cans Course


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

Top Tips for Round the Cans


Accuracy is very important

Especially with increasing wind speeds when the boats will sail very deep

The Downwind Leg


Tidal Compensation - Windward Leg

W2

W1

12 kts wind

1 kt tide

150

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


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

Tidal Compensation - Leeward Leg


Tidal Compensation - Solutions

150

3

50

2 1

12kts wind

1 knot

tide

Use an offset mark to create

a ‘tidal correction’ leg)


The ‘zigzag’ course

Current

Wind

The ‘X’ course

Tidal Compensation - Solutions


Tidal Compensation - Compromise

2

1

When you only have 2 marks:

Set up on the Sailing Wind Equally skewed upwind and downwind

GW Sailing Wind

Tide Induced Wind

Tide


Drop, drop, drop

Laying the Start Line

Always stream parallel to the committee boat!


Number of boats x length of the boat plus 10% to 50%

Other factors are:size and manoeuvrability of boatssea conditionswind strengthcurrent

ISAF recommendation multiplying factor 1.3 to 1.5

Start Line Length


Set line at 90o to Sailing Wind

Wind Bad Current

Move pin

down wind

Good

Line Bias for Tide


Weak tide in Bay

Strong tideWind

Starboard bias on the start

Mark 1

Factors to consider across the course are:

• wind angles

• wind velocity

• waves

• current

Line Bias for Tactics


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 lineBias for tideBias for tactics


STANDARD 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

Pre-Start Procedures


Warning signal

Preparatory signal

One minute

Start

RRS Default

5 mins

4 mins

1 min

0

All timings and associated actions may be altered from RRS default by SIs

Attention signal

10 mins

5 mins

1 min

0

10 mins

4 mins

1 min

0

Others

Starting Systems


Time keeper is the most important person!

Starting Procedures


Starting Procedures


WARNING SIGNAL

When?at the advertised time

Methodclass flag displayed

one sound signal

Starting Procedures


PREP SIGNAL

When?warning + 1

Methodpapa displayed

one sound signal

Starting Procedures


ONE MINUTE SIGNAL

When?warning + 4

Methodpapa removed

one long sound signal

Starting Procedures


START SIGNAL

When?warning + 5

Methodclass flag removed

one sound signal

Starting Procedures


ASSOCIATED ACTIONS

At or before warning signal:Display course

Before preparatory signal:Set the start lineMake attachments to the committee boat

Starting Procedures


P – defaultno penalties apply

I – rule 30.1 appliesround-an-end ruleduring 1 min before start

Z – rule 30.2 applies20% penalty ruleduring 1 min before start

Black – rule 30.3 appliesblack flag ruleduring 1 min before start

Starting Procedures


P – defaultno penalties apply

DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START

Starting Procedures


I – rule 30.1 appliesround-an-end ruleduring 1 min before start


Starting Procedures


Z – rule 30.2 applies20% penalty ruleduring 1 min before start

Add 20% of number of boats entered to her score


Starting Procedures


Disqualified

Black – rule 30.3 appliesblack flag ruleduring 1 min before start


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

Starting Procedures


Observe the fleet throughoutWhere 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

Monitoring the Race


Finish line is defined in the SIs

- usually between the mast flying the orange flag and the last mark of the course

Finishing Procedures


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

LAST MARK OF COURSE: 5

5

Finishing Line


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

Finishing Procedures


OTHER PROCEDURES


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.

Postponement


Display AP

All races not started are postponed

Can only be used before the start

Postponement


AP over a numeral Hours postponement

AP over H Further signals ashore

AP Indefinite postponement

AP over ANo more racing today

Postponement


Identify those boats that are OCS (On the Course Side of the line)

Individual Recall



Individual Recall


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

Display X

Individual Recall



General Recall


Display 1st Sub

To be used:when there are several unidentified OCSs

or if there is an error in procedure

General Recall


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!

Abandon Racing


N Abandoned, return to start area

N over H Abandoned, further signals ashore

N over A Abandoned , no more racing today

Abandon Racing


Display S

Displayed at a rounding mark

finish between the rounding mark and the staff displaying the ‘S’ flag

In multi-class racesdisplay over class flag(s) if not shortening all classes

Use whenwind dies, another race needs to be fitted into the day, etc

Shorten Course


Display C

Displayed at the mark before the leg to be changed- on a RIB

Must be displayed as each boat approaches this mark

Course Change

Displayed with associated signals:Red square, green triangle, +, -, bearing


Display M

Displayed in the position a mark was expected to be- on a RIB

Must be displayed before the leader is in the vicinitypreferably before that leg starts

Mark Missing


Remove AP

Remove 1 minute before warning signal

After Postponement

Restarting


Remove Ist Sub


After General Recall

Restarting


Remove N


After Abandonment

Restarting


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!

Protests

After Racing


Debrief

Personal assessment

Group assessment

Get feed back from competitors

After Racing


DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KEEL BOATS AND DINGHIES


Dinghy

Many youngsters (consents)

Safety boats

Safety briefing

Tally system

Buoyancy aids often compulsory

Compliance with instruction compulsory

Keel Boat

Few youngsters

Skipper’s responsibility

Y flag

Safety


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

Racing Conditions

Dinghy Keel Boat


One design

Short course geography

Windward/Leeward

Trapezoid

One design & handicaps

Extensive course

Windward/Leeward

Fixed racing marks

Dinghy Keel Boat

Courses


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

When it Goes Wrong


Finish line too shallow

Flags don’t go up

Flags fall down

Mark is moved

Mark not present

Mark walks

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

When it Goes Wrong


Recognise problems

Admit your mistakes

Have contingency plans

Deal with issues

When it Goes Wrong

CLUB RACE OFFICER COURSE

Documents

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