Welcome to the Race Committee Team And What happens on Onward Join the Race Committee Team Booklet Why Join? If you want to learn… Sign up sheets for both RC and Onward Tour Goal is for a Fair, Fun, and Safe race Questions are welcome anytime
What Happens before Race Day? The powers that be agree on a date and format Head people are assigned – Event chair and PRO - Principle Race Officer Arrange for boats and equipment Write Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions, etc. Organize a Team and assign jobs
What happens the day of the race? + Skippers Meeting Any changes to SIs must be in writing and posted with Lima Flag Check the weather Check out the equipment and boats, if not already done (SIs, fuel, marks, flags, staffs, horns, GPS, Radios, etc) Supply help with lunches and water Make assignments and review the jobs What should you bring? Sunscreen, hat, life jacket, foulies, whistle, camera,
What jobs need to be filled? On land – many for large Regattas Whaler (and other support boats) – driver, mark setter and puller, recorder Onward Driver Principal Race Officer Recorder Wind Reader Radio operator Spotter/line sighter + Signaler Sounder Timer Scorer
What Happens on the water? Hoist RC Flag, hoist Orange flag close to start time Check-in boats Wind readings and determine course Set Start line Square to wind, may favor less desirable end 1.5 times the aggregate boat length Set the marks square to wind Communicating with competitors Keep communication to a minimum Use phonetic alphabet where appropriate Come with in hail “L ima flag” Announce “ approximate intentions” on radio
Starting Sequence + Up to 5 Min Course Flag At 5 Min Class Flag up One sound At 4 Min Papa Flag up One Sound At 1 Min Papa Flag down One long sound (4 sec) At Start Class Flag down One sound If Over Early Line sighter call sail numbers, recorder records PRO decides Individual or General Recall Individual is X-Ray flag up and one sound, lowered when all have cleared, or 4 minutes General Recall when you can’t identify OCS boats First Substitute Flag with 2 sounds No dipping X-Ray flag or announcing “All Clear”
When to Postpone – Postpone is your friend - Keep 2 handy! If RC is not ready If RC has made an error If there is not enough wind If there is a significant wind shift during the sequence If the Start mark comes adrift If the competitors are UNAVOIDABLY absent from the starting area If there are traffic concerns – too many finishers, When to NOT Postpone Failure of a sound signal When some competitors are not in the start area, but could have been
During the Race + Record the number of the boats that started Relax and have some lunch Monitor boats and wind, keeping safety in mind Possible events Abandon November 3 sounds anytime Missing mark Mike repetitive sounds at new mark Shorten course Sierra 2 sounds at new finish line Change course Charlie Repetitive sounds at previous mark Capsize or swimmer? Safety of people first – equipment later Ask for assistance early- from safety boat and competitors
Finishes Hoist Blue Flag before finish unless there is a shorten course. Record every finish, with notes if appropriate – flags, fouls, multiple Log finishes in order with time and sail #, recorder should not look up Account for all competitors Some letter scores that can be given by RC DNC, DNS, OCS, DNF, not DSQ There are no do-overs for finishes! Better to have too much information.
After the finish + Pick up all equipment Record docking time Scoring Put the boats away Debrief team Is there a protest that needs to be heard? Award prizes Support the Bar
Some of my props and procedures Rule Book Clipboard with cheat sheets Watch, synched with Onward’s clock Blue tape with sharpie Handheld compass with wind yarn GPS – several Handheld VHF My check in sheet My finish sheet Bungee cords
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