In fact, every race may feel daunting, unless you remember a few points. And breathe.
We’re all here for fun.
Everyone started somewhere, mistakes and all.
Ask for help or advice if needed.
There are three high pressure situations on a race day, but each can be approached in a way to minimize embarassment.
The briefing (optional)
This is optional, and likely won't be held for normal club racing days, except in special circumstances such as COVID-19 restrictions.
A group of sailors have gathered together to compete. Your first job may be to keep them all informed. This can be as low-key as you want. Let them know:
The start time(s) and sequence (5,4,1 or 10, 5 etc).
How the course will be published.
What flags or sound signals will be used.
Note any local rules that sailors could be unaware of (fish spawning grounds out of bounds, unusually high tide, new navigation hazards).
Which rules we sail by and where they can find local changes.
Finally, are there any special measures in place (e.g. COVID-19 restrictions).
Refer competitors to the published Sailing Instructions (make sure you know where these are!)
The start
Your main job right now is to get all sailors across the line cleanly. Start by setting and publishing the race course, as agreed earlier with the sailors. This may be a list of marks and rounding instructions on a chalk board, a set of mark cards on the side of the starting hut, or a string wound round pegs on a map of the sailing area.
Make sure all sailors have resonable notice to get rigged and afloat before the start. There may be one or two beginners who need extra rigging help, or an old-timer who needs help with their trolley. While that’s not your job, taking it into account and delegating or allowing time for such help will make you super popular. After all, no-one wants to make all the effort only to miss the start by a minute or two.
Make sure the transit is set if you use one. Move it slightly to the course side of inner and outer distance marks if in doubt. Better to have sailors back from the line than need to deal with multiple boats being OCS.
Check you have a copy of the course, and the list of competitors from the race sign-in sheet if your club uses one. Ensure you have the race timer and know how to use it. Practice with it before the race. Note if there’s a sticky button or it’s running low on battery.
Chatty helpers are no help at all. Banish any distractions from the starting hut, or give them a specific job and let them know their cue.
Following the local rules, find and prepare the flags. Test the sound and/or light signals.
When everyone is ready, or is likely to be in the starting area within the start sequence:
While starting the timer, hoist the first flag and make the sound and/or light signals do their thing. This is where delegation can help.
Ask for quiet as the count-down winds it’s way toward the next signal. Concentrate. Keep an eye on the timer.
Watching the timer, give the room a verbal countdown to the next signal. From ten will do, it focuses the mind of those present. Hoist the next flag, as per local rules and hoot or flash (the lights) as appropriate.
Repeat for each step in the start sequence.
On the start proper, your countdown timer should start counting up. Do not stop the clock
Check the line was clear of boats as the sound/light and flag dance takes place. Note any boats OCS and ignore/sound a single recall/sound a general recal as appropriate (Depending on local custom, you might ignore a beginner or enthusiatic underachiever who starts over the line by a small amount. Instead of triggering confusion on the start, find them afterwards and offer friendly advice).
The finish
Good work! The finish will often be on your mind immediately after a clean start by all boats.
How quickly are the fastest and slowest boats going to make a lap?
How many laps did we agree to, or does the local club routinely use the shorten course flag to get a consistent race length?
Will the fastest boats lap the slower ones, or will there be a wide spread of finish times?
It’s often a good idea to record lap times of each competitor to help project when to end the race; even if the interim lap times are not used in the final results.
Our club works on a target of one hour per race. If it’s windy, we might err on the shorter side, upto 45 minutes. Very rarely will a race officer intentionally let anyone sail longer than the hour. So the trick is to begin the finish so no one is left out too long. Remember, whooping and hollering from competitors can mean both enjoyment and frustration, so go with your gut, or get feedback from the safety team.
Shortening course is done by two sound signals and the 'S' flag (a centred blue rectangle on white background). This is usually done at the point the leading boat rounds the last mark before the finish line (e.g. the leeward mark).
There are other options for a shortened course (see section 32.2 of the racing rules), but let’s keep it simple here.
After shortening the course, all boats crossing the finish line should be finished with appropriate signals (a single hoot). Once you have shortened, don’t let any boats start a new lap. However, you may have the flexibility to wait for a faster boat to start the next lap before shortening the course on a slower boat. Be careful with this, as getting it wrong could raise the ire of some of the more competitive sailors.
Make sure you signal each finisher and note their finish time, making sure the lap count is recorded (either by the presence of previous lap times, or explicitly noted “52:34 (4 laps)”
Gosh, that got wordy. Editor! Where have you been? …
