1. Gresford Sailing Club Race Officer Training

2. Gresford Sailing Club Race Officer Training

3. Introduction Check List Setting a course The Races And finally……
Agenda
Introduction
Check List
Setting a course
The Races
Sunday Pursuits
Wednesday Pursuits
Sunday Handicaps
And finally…… 3

4. Objective
To provide racing that is, as far as possible, fair, safe and enjoyable.

5. Your Role Set the Course Check safety boat cover Start the race
Finish the race
Sort out the results
Organise a protest committee (very rare!)

6. Check List Before you arrive, check start times and type of races
Arrive early
Get stop-watch and whistle from cupboard
Open OOD box and raise the club pennant and RYA flag
Setup the racing flags and number boards
Assess the wind and think about a course
Put out race sheets and fill-in Series and Date/Times
Check provision of safety boat and helm
Sort your course out and put it on the board
Lookout for willing helpers!
Run the racing

7. Safety Cover USE OF THE SAFETY BOAT DURING RACING
The safety boat must always be put on the water prior to the 6 minute whistle being blown no matter what the conditions are calm or gales.
The safety boat MUST NOT be left running if there is no competent person in control of it.
The kill cord must be worn at all times that the engine is running
Anybody in the safety boat must wear a life jacket.
The safety boat should be manned by a competent trained person.
It is the OOD (Race Officer) duty to ensure that the above happens.
If you have not received training then please contact a committee member and they will organise this for you prior to your OOD duty.
If you are unable to man the safety boat then please advise a committee member and they will arrange for cover for the safety boat.
If you are OOD on your own and there is no competent person available on shore then you must always put SAFETY FIRST in the event of a rescue being required and if necessary the race would have to be cancelled, you may in advance nominate somebody who is racing to come in off the water and man the safety boat as long as speed is not the priority.
If you are unsure about anything please ask.
Do not struggle to launch and land the safety boat there are always willing people to help you. 7

8. Setting a Course Consider who’s sailing, class of boats and capability
Consider wind strength and direction
Consider type of race – Handicap (average laps?) or Pursuit
Start should normally be to windward unless only 1 or 2 boats (eg Individual Pursuit)
Then a reach – avoids running back through the fleet
Use string to design the course and then put up the coloured Mark numbers
Don’t make it difficult to record the end of each lap
Double-check mark roundings! Mark numbers over-ride the string.
Indicate Start and Finish. These must be the same if Average Lap times are to be used
Display the number of laps (it’s easy to shorten) or duration for Pursuit

9. Avoid a Loop at a Mark 3 4 5 3 4 5
Good
Bad

10. Clarification of Rule……..
28.2 A string representing a boat’s track from the time she begins to approach the starting line from its pre-start side to start until she finishes shall, when drawn taut,
(a) pass each mark on the required side and in the correct order,
(b) touch each rounding mark, …………

11. Good Course?
Wind 7 6 2 3 4 5 1 A O

12. Good Course?
Wind 4 2 5 1 7 6 8 A O

13. Good Course?
Wind 4 1 3 7 5 8 A O

14. Don’t forget the wind shadows!

15. Remember the objective…..
To provide racing that is, as far as possible, fair, enjoyable and safe
Windward start when ever practicable
Ensure there are some good beats
In windy weather reduce the number of gybes
Avoid areas of no wind
If using Average Lap times: Start and Finish at the same place

16. Sunday Pursuits based on class handicaps

17. Sunday Pursuits Fixed duration (50min with Mirror, otherwise 40min)
Check which classes are sailing
The slowest boat will start first
Each class has a separate start time depending on slowest boat
It’s the responsibility of competitors to know their times
BUT no harm in telling them! – especially the first ones to start
Try and start promptly at 2:00PM
Check safety cover

18. Sunday Pursuit The Start
Have the flags ready…….
In this example there are 4 different classes:
Mirror
Feva
Solo
GP14 18

19. Sunday Pursuit The Start
6 minutes before the start blow the whistle and hoist all the class flags.
It’s useful to give a warning shout and make sure it’s a good long blast on the whistle! 19

20. Sunday Pursuit The Start
3 minutes before the start blow the whistle and hoist the Blue Peter (P flag).
Note: 
Rule 26
Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded. 20

21. Sunday Pursuit The Start
At the first start (slowest boat) blow the whistle and lower the relevant class flag and the Blue Peter.
If any of the starting boats are in front of the line then give them a shout and call them back. 21

22. Sunday Pursuit The Start
At the next start (Feva in this case) blow the whistle and lower the class flag.
If any of the starting boats are in front of the line then give them a shout and call them back. 22

23. Sunday Pursuit The Start
Next the Solo start, blow the whistle and lower the class flag.
If any of the starting boats are in front of the line then give them a shout and call them back. 23

24. Sunday Pursuit The Start
And finally the GP, blow the whistle and take down the class flag. All boats should now have started.
If any of the starting boats are in front of the line then give them a shout and call them back. 24

25. Sunday Pursuit The Race
Record the position of each boat as they finish every lap on the race sheet.
Watch out for the slow boats that may complete a lap before the faster boats start.
If anyone capsizes, or is in difficulty, ensure that the safety boat attends. 25

26. Sunday Pursuit The Finish
At the end of the set time (40/50mins?), sound the whistle and hoist the S flag.
Each boat finishes at their next mark. No need to blow any more whistles.
Record all the positions! If not possible, you will need to check with the competitors who was next in front and behind them.
Complete the Race Sheet, lower the S flag and have a cup of tea (it’s free for the OOD)! 26

27. Wednesday Pursuits based on individual handicaps

28. Wednesday Pursuit (based on individual handicaps) The Start
The countdown starts from the Mirror start.
Make sure everybody knows the starting procedure.
Start promptly – the wind has a habit of dropping in the evening! 28

29. Wednesday Pursuit (based on individual handicaps) The Start
Make a note of all the competitor’s start times so you know when to blow the whistle.
Get the number boards ready for displaying the start time.
6 minutes before the first start, blow the whistle and hoist the H flag. 29

30. Wednesday Pursuit (based on individual handicaps) The Start
3 minutes before the first start, blow the whistle and raise the Blue Peter. 30

31. Wednesday Pursuit (based on individual handicaps) The Start
At the first start, blow the whistle and lower both flags.
Display the “time” board with “0” at the starting signal. 31

32. Wednesday Pursuit (based on individual handicaps) The Start
Blow a whistle for each start and display the relevant number.
If possible, it is helpful to the sailors if you display the time every minute.
After the last boat has started you can put away the number boards. 32

33. Wednesday Pursuit (based on individual handicaps) The Race
Record the position of each boat at the end of each lap.
Keep a check on the first boats away; they may complete a lap before the fastest boats have started. 33

34. Wednesday Pursuit (based on individual handicaps) The Finish
The duration of the race should be 50 minutes from the “Mirror” start.
The aim is for the first boat to cross the finish line at that time.
Watch the first boats carefully so that you can shorten at a suitable mark 34

35. Finish at 2 2 4 2 5 1 7 6 8 A O 35

36. Finish at 5 5 4 2 5 1 7 6 8 A O 36

37. Try to avoid finishing at 64 2 5 1 7 6 8 A O 37

38. Case 82
When a finishing line is laid so nearly in line with the last leg that it cannot be determined which is the correct way to cross it in order to finish according to the definition, a boat may cross the line in either direction and her finish is to be recorded accordingly. 38

39. Wednesday Pursuit (based on individual handicaps) The Finish
As the first boat rounds the last mark, give two blasts and raise flag S and display the mark number by the flagpole.
All boats must sail the course to the mark displayed and then sail directly to the finish “AO”.
Give each boat a whistle as it finishes and note its position. 39

40. Sunday Handicaps

41. Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Start
6 minutes before the start blow the whistle and hoist the H flag.
If there is a large and very keen fleet then consider having the General Recall (First Substitute) ready. 41

42. Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Start
3 minutes before the start blow the whistle and hoist the Blue Peter (P flag). 42

43. Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Start – All boats behind the line
At the start blow the whistle and, if all boats are behind the line, then lower both flags. 43

44. Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Start – Boats over the line and you can identify them
Blow a whistle a second time, lower the Blue Peter but leave the H flag flying.
Try to tell the offending boats but it is their responsibility to start properly. 44

45. It’s helpful to shout “all clear!”
Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Start – Boats over the line and you can identify them
When all boats have returned and started properly then lower the H flag.
It’s helpful to shout “all clear!” 45

46. Sound 2 additional signals and raise the First Substitute.
Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Start – Too many boats over the line to be identified
Sound 2 additional signals and raise the First Substitute.
The original start signal is the 3min for the restart. 46

47. The First Substitute is lowered at the new start.
Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Start – Too many boats over the line to be identified
The First Substitute is lowered at the new start. 47

48. Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Race
Record the position of each boat as it completes each lap.
It is very helpful to record the time of each boat on the first lap. This helps you estimate the number of laps and when to shorten course.
It may also help sort out any mistakes 48

49. Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Finish – Boats finish on the same lap
If all boats are going to complete the same number of laps then the course may be shortened at any mark of the course.
Give two blasts and raise flag S as the first boat reaches the last mark and display the mark number by the flagpole.
All boats must sail the course to the mark displayed and then sail directly to the finish “AO”. 49

50. Finish at 2 2 4 2 5 1 7 6 8 A O 50

51. The first boat to finish does not need to be the fastest boat.
Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Finish - Different number of laps
To enable boats of greatly different speeds to compete, Average Lap times may be used. In this case, the start and finish must be in the same place (usually AO).
Give two blasts and raise flag S as the first boat to finish reaches the last mark of the course and display the mark number by the flagpole.
The first boat to finish does not need to be the fastest boat.
All boats finish at AO – give each a whistle and record the time. 51

52. Average Laps Start and finish must be in the same place
Shorten course at 8 8 4 2 5 1 7 6 8 A O 52

53. Sunday Handicaps/President Plates/Frostbite The Finish
Give each boat a whistle as it crosses the finish and make a note of their times.
Before going for your cup of tea you will need to work out the results! 53

54. Working out the Results All boats same number of laps
The boat with the lowest corrected time wins (the Solo) 54

55. Working out the Results Different number of laps – Average Lap Times
The boat with the lowest corrected time wins (the Optimist) 55

56. Working out the Results Overall Results for Day Series
The winning boat scores 1, second 2, third 3 etc
If there is a tie, then the points are shared eg 2 boats tying for 2nd place would both score 2.5 points
the 4th boat would have 4 points, 5th boat 5 points etc.
RTD: A boat that retires scores the number of starters + 1
DSQ: A boat that is disqualified scores the number of starters + 3
3 races are normally sailed in which case the best 2 races count.
If only 2 races are sailed then both races count.
Tie Breaks
If there is a tie between two or more boats, each boat's race scores shall be listed in order of best to worst, and at the first point(s) where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favour of the boat(s) with the best score(s). No excluded scores shall be used.
If a tie remains between two or more boats, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in the last race. These scores shall be used even if some of them are excluded scores. 56

57. Protests
Generally don’t protest from the race hut unless someone is blatantly cheating. Its up to the boats on the water to sort each other out.
If someone wants to protest they have to fill in a protest form.
Get the form then organise a protest hearing. Basically find a experienced sailor to chair the protest, they should know the rules and what to do.
Don’t discuss what happened with people, otherwise they can’t sit on the protest hearing. 57

58. Other Signals Postponement
The start of the race may be postponed by sounding 2 signals and raising the Answering Pennant.
At the end of the postponement (usually 15mins) sound 1 whistle and lower the pennant.
Begin the start sequence 1 min later. 58

59. Other Signals Abandonment
The race can be abandoned by sounding 3 signals and raising the N flag. 59

60. After racing has finished…..
Put away all the flags
Put away the number boards
Leave the race sheets with results in the clubhouse
Lock the Race Hut
Ensure that the safety boat is put away and locked
Check that there is somebody to lock the clubhouse and changing rooms 60

61. And finally…..
You are the one who is the race officer and given up sailing to be in the hut.
There is no such thing as a wrong course
(but some are better than others ).
If anyone has a problem, then they can stop sailing and be race officer and you can go out on the water !!!!!! 61