Race Management

Weather Considerations

If events such as localised thunder and lightning, very strong wind and mist/fog occur, then in the first instance if you feel conditions are unsafe clear the water, getting everyone to return to shore.  Sound the horn three times and raise the red flag.   
The Duty Officer or Senior Instructor should assess whether the conditions are likely to improve in consultation with their safety team and any committee members present.  If it looks unlikely that conditions will improve then consider abandoning on the water activity for the day.  As always, if the Duty Officer considers that the conditions are safe, it is still up to individual sailors and paddle-boarders to decide to launch based on their experience and capabilities.

Race Management

(N.B. Sailing Instructions take precedence over this section which is for guidance only)

There is a folder of suggested courses for wind direction in the race box and on the committee boat

1. Always start with a beat, and include as many different points of sailing as possible. Use the Committee Boat to set the Starting Line at 90 degrees to the wind direction and length of at least one boat length per competitor.
2. Decide on the course making sure that each mark is a rounding mark (i.e. if a string representing the wake of a boat sailing the course was pulled tight it would contact all marks of the course) or a gate (G). Display the course, start line mark and number of rounds.
3. Record the Starting Times on the OOD score sheet for each start and aim for about a 1 hour race. Do not leave too long between races. Half an hour for the average boat is long enough, except for lunch time. Remember that you cannot start a race early, but you can always postpone it.
4. Record the Number of Rounds (Laps) you can always shorten (see Sailing Instructions) but never lengthen a race. Note: Be prepared to shorten the slower classes in Handicap races so they sail no longer than other classes. Remember slower classes may be sailed by inexperienced or older members, and increasingly by 10 14 year olds. These members will quickly be put off sailing if out on their own and the time limit expires, or wind drops. It may be more work for you, but be fair to them!
5. Check off all boats each time they pass through the finish line and mark each position on the OOD score sheet. For handicap races mark the actual time as this gives you lap times for the different classes which helps you decide when to finish. Boats have been known to be a lap behind. This detail can often help solve queries later.
6. Shorten course if necessary to give race durations of approximately 1 hour. You do not need to shorten the course for all fleets at the same time so long as you use individual class flags with the S flag. Note however, that in order to calculate the corrected times for the handicap fleet only complete laps can be used, i.e. the start and finish should be at the same point. The shorten course flag can be raised any time before the finish line but ideally as the first boat rounds the final mark provided it is close enough to be heard.
7. The blue finish flag should not be hoisted until boats are on their final lap and the committee boat is in position.
8. Time all boats over the finishing line for all types of racing except pursuit; positions for class racing can be determined from these times by the Sailwave program. Note them even if you intend to disqualify, there may be a protest against you.
9. Enter results into Sailwave on the computer in the Race Control Office. Try and resolve any anomalies including unknown sail numbers by using the sign-on sheets and asking competitors print the series results and file the OOD score sheet in the correct folder.

Upload the results to the website as per the instructions on the notice board, If you have any queries or difficulties please contact Liz Simons(results officer)
All OOD's will be required to publish race results in the clubhouse on THE SAME DAY as the race. If members have any queries/complaints regarding the position they have been given, the onus is on that member to contact either the appropriate Fleet Captain or the Rear Commodore Sailing within eight days of the race. There will be NO redress after this period of time. If possible publish race results to the website using Sailwave.
Click here for SAILWAVE USER GUIDE this is also printed in the race box.

Use of the Committee Boat

If you have not been given an induction on the correct use of the new Committee Boat please contact the RC Sailing before your duty.

1. A suitable personal floatation device must be worn at all times when aboard the Committee Boat, regardless of whether on the water or alongside the pontoons.
2. Aim to get the Committee Boat on station at least 25 minutes before the race start time. This gives time to set the course and ensure that the boat is properly anchored.
3. Ensure that you take afloat the necessary pencil and paper and watches. Flags and course boards remain on the committee boat.
4. Make the normal engine checks, start the engine and check that plenty of water is flowing from the tail. Let the engine warm up and leave running for at least an hour during the day to charge the battery.
5. Make a radio check with all safety boats and the clubhouse if possible and check the horn is working.
6. After arriving on station carefully lower the anchor some distance (say 30m) upwind of your desired station, and then let the Committee Boat drop back until the start line is square to the wind.
7. Check by transits from the shore that the Committee Boat is stationary. If not raise the anchor and try again.
8. To finish each race you will probably need to move. Motor forwards slowly until the bow is over the anchor. Carefully raise the anchor and relocate.
9. At the end of the day ensure that mooring lines are secure, all windows and doors are locked, engine raised, flags and course boards stored below, isolator removed and cover in place.

Starting Sequences

1. For 2025 all races will be SINGLE STARTs. This allows us to score both by fleet and as a single fleet.

Handicap Races

Pursuit Races

Indicate the elapsed time after the double handed Mirror start using the available board.

Note: For Wednesday pursuit races, Optimists will start at -13minutes 30 seconds in relation to the Mirror start

Last updated 15:29 on 21 April 2025