Speed Up Measurement at Regattas One-Design Symposium Columbus, OH November 2007

Introductions Who we are What do you want to learn?

Regatta Measuring What are we trying to do?

Regatta Measuring Make the regatta fun for sailors Level the playing field Help competitors meet their obligations under RRS 78.1

Measurement is a “cost centre” It takes time It takes volunteers It takes practice It takes up space It’s unpredictable It can cause problems

It can become a “profit centre” It can reassure sailors the playing field is level It can educate the sailors and the volunteers It can be a great introduction to the regatta It can help sailors get ready for the racing – Numbers on bow right – Gets the boat rigged or fixed – Lets you give the sailors personal attention – Lets the organizers control the boat flow

Level of checking LEVEL 1 – (National qualifying events) – Only Measurement Certificate + Safety equipment LEVEL 2 – (National Championships) – Measurement Certificate + Sails + Safety equipment + Corrector weights LEVEL 3 – (Nat. Ch. of Olympic Classes or International Events) – Measurement Certificate + Sails + Weight and CW + Safety equipment + Marks on spars

Level of checking (2) LEVEL 4 (Int. Qual. Events, Cont.+World Championships) – Measurement Certificate + Sails + Weight + CW + Marks on Spars + selected items + Safety equipment LEVEL 5 – (Olympic Regatta) – Measurement Certificate + Almost full Measurement + Safety equipment

What really happens at measurement?

What does it require? Planning A “boss” Lots of volunteers Lots of measuring stations – work flow Paper records Central control – a plan and a final destination – Boats all checked and paperwork completed

Measurement area (Athens) er Mistral Europe Finn Laser Yngling

Typical stations Greeting area – Paperwork given out to competitors – Numbers put on boat/trailers & sails tagged – Parking spots assigned – Questions answered – Put it near the entrance – make it the first stop – Make it registration too

Stations Sail Measuring hall – Private – Templates laid out – Flow through to pick up area – It can be “remote”

Other Stations Hull Station Safety Spars Foils Final checks/paperwork Close together and make the traffic flow

What do you need? Tools and templates – Go/no go – No fundamental measurement if possible Class Rules (lots) Sail mylars or marked floor Not fundamental Measurement just go/no go Volunteers and structure Flexibility

Tips Train the measurers/helpers ahead of time Do local fleets ahead of time Decide about how much measuring to do – time it Have a process for the Chief Measurer to make exceptions if need be. Leave time for latecomers or re-measures Know what the issues will be ahead of time Plan for bad weather – weigh out of wind

More tips Don’t assign the Chief Measurer – wander Have radios at stations (Family Radio is fine) Extra forms 2 qualified people per station and helpers Have work tables/saw horses at a good height Pre mark everything Markers, stickers and stamps – control them Copier and paper

Even More Tips Set ground rules before hand - publish – No boats can leave the shore (area) before Numbers are on hull/trailer Measurement (including weighing) is done Have a schedule Make competitors sign they have completed measurement

Safety Hoists Volunteers use of tools Moving boats Emergency plan Keep things neat/tidy

Remember - Volunteers are Gold Schedule them Have spares Feed and water them well Give them a break Let them be good at what they do but don’t let them get bored Thank them for their work Be there to deal with issues – make them comfortable

Resources CD Handout

Tools

Forms Laser Snipe

Questions