2. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 1 CLUB RACE OFFICER COURSE

3. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 2 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) Race Management

4. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 3 Club 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 Regional Race Officer Club Race Officer+ Appropriate experience (4 events) - submit CV 1 Reference VHF Club Race Officer+ 2 day seminar written test International Race Officer (ISAF appointment) NRO 4 principal events - submit CV National Authority Nomination 3 References Race Management

5. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 4 RYA Website www.rya.org.uk/raceofficials

6. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 5 RYA Website

7. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 6 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 Weather

8. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 7 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

9. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 8 PRO RO DRO ARO Visual Signals Gunner Timekeeper Recorders Pin end crew Finish boat crew Mark Layers Beach Master Safety Officer Race Committee

10. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 9 Minimum flag size 3’x2’ (90cm x 60cm) Layout of Flags and Halyards

11. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 10 Personal Equipment

12. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 11 Flag Displayed Tells what is going to happen Flag Removed (Executive Signal) Order is carried out Sound Signal Draws attention to visual signal Signals

13. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 12 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

14. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 13 Tide Induced Wind The Wind Tide No gradient wind at all! A still sunny day But the tide is running

15. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 14 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 ?

16. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 15 COURSES

17. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 16 Clean winds Even depth of water Minimal tidal currents Enough space Course areas not overlapped Important factors affecting race management Courses

18. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 17 Alternatives for this course are: –More rounds –Finish upwind of mark 1 –No gate at Mark 2 Gate laid square to the ‘sailing wind’ Windward-Leeward Course

19. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 18 Course angles can be: –60 0 –45 0 (90 0 at mark 2) –70 0 (to give both a close reach & a broad reach) The finish can also be located downwind of mark 3 Sausage Triangle Course

20. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 19 Two parallel W/L courses 70 o for boats without spinnakers 60 o for boats with spinnakers Trapezoid Course

21. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 20 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

22. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 21 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

23. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 22 Accuracy is very important Especially with increasing wind speeds when the boats will sail very deep The Downwind Leg

24. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 23 Tidal Compensation - Windward Leg W2 W1 12 kts wind 1 kt tide 15 0 A rule of thumb guide is: -in >10kts wind & 1kt of tide set the windward mark downtide 15 0 of the ground wind -in <8kts wind & 1kt of tide, the offset is 20 0 or more -for tides diagonal to the wind, halve the allowance -for 2kts tide double the allowance

25. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 24 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 5 o downtide of the ground wind for every 1 knot of cross tide L1 L2 Any wind 1 knot tide 5050 Tidal Compensation - Leeward Leg

26. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 25 Tidal Compensation - Solutions 15 0 3 5050 2 1 12kts wind 1 knot tide Use an offset mark to create a ‘tidal correction’ leg)

27. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 26 The ‘zigzag’ course Current Wind The ‘X’ course Tidal Compensation - Solutions

28. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 27 Tidal Compensation - Compromise 2 1 When you only have 2 marks: Set up on the Sailing Wind Equally skewed upwind and downwind GWSailing Wind Tide Induced Wind Tide

29. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 28 Drop, drop, drop Laying the Start Line Always stream parallel to the committee boat!

30. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 29 Number of boats x length of the boat plus 10% to 50% Other factors are: size and manoeuvrability of boats sea conditions wind strength current ISAF recommendation multiplying factor 1.3 to 1.5 Start Line Length

31. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 30 Set line at 90 o to Sailing Wind Wind Bad Current Move pin down wind Good Line Bias for Tide

32. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 31 Weak tide in Bay Strong tide Wind Starboard bias on the start Mark 1 Factors to consider across the course are: wind angles wind velocity waves current Line Bias for Tactics

33. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 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

34. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 33 STANDARD PROCEDURES

35. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 34 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

36. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 35 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

37. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 36 Time keeper is the most important person! Starting Procedures

38. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 37 Starting Procedures

39. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 38 Starting Procedures

40. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 39 Starting Procedures

41. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 40 WARNING SIGNAL When? at the advertised time Method class flag displayed one sound signal Starting Procedures

42. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 41 PREP SIGNAL When? warning + 1 Method papa displayed one sound signal Starting Procedures

43. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 42 ONE MINUTE SIGNAL When? warning + 4 Method papa removed one long sound signal Starting Procedures

44. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 43 START SIGNAL When? warning + 5 Method class flag removed one sound signal Starting Procedures

45. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 44 ASSOCIATED ACTIONS At or before warning signal: Display course Before preparatory signal: Set the start line Make attachments to the committee boat Starting Procedures

46. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 45 P – default 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 Starting Procedures

47. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 46 P – default no penalties apply DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START Starting Procedures

48. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 47 I – rule 30.1 applies round-an-end rule during 1 min before start DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START Starting Procedures

49. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 48 Z – rule 30.2 applies 20% penalty rule during 1 min before start Add 20% of number of boats entered to her score DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START Starting Procedures

50. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 49 Disqualified Black – rule 30.3 applies black flag rule during 1 min before start DURING 1 MINUTE BEFORE START Starting Procedures

51. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 50 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

52. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 51 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 Monitoring the Race

53. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 52 Finish line is defined in the SIs - usually between the mast flying the orange flag and the last mark of the course Finishing Procedures

54. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 53 7 boat lengths long At 90 o to last mark for ‘round the cans’ At 90 o 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

55. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 54 Two finishing records Collect independently One design only requires the time of 1 st 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

56. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 55 OTHER PROCEDURES

57. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 56 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. Postponement

58. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 57 Display AP All races not started are postponed Can only be used before the start Postponement

59. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 58 AP over a numeral Hours postponement AP over H Further signals ashore AP Indefinite postponement AP over A No more racing today Postponement

60. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 59 Identify those boats that are OCS (On the Course Side of the line) Individual Recall

61. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 60 Identify those boats that are OCS (On the Course Side of the line) Individual Recall

62. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 61 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

63. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 62 Identify those boats that are OCS (On the Course Side of the line) General Recall

64. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 63 Display 1 st Sub To be used: when there are several unidentified OCSs or if there is an error in procedure General Recall

65. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 64 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

66. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 65 N Abandoned, return to start area N over H Abandoned, further signals ashore N over A Abandoned, no more racing today Abandon Racing

67. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 66 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 Shorten Course

68. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 67 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

69. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 68 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 Mark Missing

70. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 69 Remove AP Remove 1 minute before warning signal After Postponement Restarting

71. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 70 Remove Ist Sub Remove 1 minute before warning signal After General Recall Restarting

72. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 71 Remove N Remove 1 minute before warning signal After Abandonment Restarting

73. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 72 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

74. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 73 Debrief Personal assessment Group assessment Get feed back from competitors After Racing

75. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 74 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KEEL BOATS AND DINGHIES

76. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 75 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

77. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 76 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 DinghyKeel Boat

78. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 77 One design Short course geography Windward/Leeward Trapezoid One design & handicaps Extensive course Windward/Leeward Fixed racing marks DinghyKeel Boat Courses

79. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 78 WHEN IT GOES WRONG

80. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 79 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

81. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 80 Finish line too shallow Flags don’t go up Flags fall down Mark is moved Mark not present Mark walks When it Goes Wrong

82. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 81 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

83. Protecting your Rights, Promoting your InterestsClub Race Officer Course 2010 82 Recognise problems Admit your mistakes Have contingency plans Deal with issues When it Goes Wrong