Race Management
Quick Reference

Acrobat (PDF) Version

Before Leaving Dock

* Cover the jobs: PRO, Boat Operators, Mark Setter, Wind Reader, Spotter/recorder, Timer, Sounder, Signaler, Line Sighter, Scorer

* Equipment: Marks, Ground Tackle, Flags and staffs or halyards, Horn, Backup sound-maker, Course Board, calculator or computer,

* Supplies: Enough fuel, Sailing Instructions, Registration List, Recording Forms, Scoring Forms, Notepaper, pencils, dry markers, extra canisters for horn.

* Read the SIs for schedule, time limits, clock limits

In Start Area: Be early on the water, 15-30 minutes before scheduled warning signal; 15 minutes before could be rushing a beginner; 30 minutes is not too soon. This also gets the racers out. It may take 5-10 minutes to get anchored and settled down. Tie ups are quicker.

* Observe wind: Wait for the RC boat to settle into the wind and check at least every 5 minutes. Enough for boats to move and maneuver? Too much for safety? Are there white caps?

* Start competitors' check-in: Set up but don't start check-in until you have someone set up for the task. Then fly the Code "L" Write down sail numbers

* Work out tentative course: Pick tentative location of first mark. Lay out course on a lake chart in writing. Looking toward the possible windward mark, point to the second mark. You should be pointing to the LEFT, not the right of a line drawn thru you and the mark. Pick tentative location of first mark. Length sailed in 40-60 minutes in this wind?

* Start on time? Ready to Start on time? Course is posted. Line is set. Timers ready? If not, get AP up by scheduled start time with two (2) horns.

* Check wind: Course OK? Line bearing? (Wind ± 90)

* Set Line: Square to wind and 125% of total length of most/biggest boats starting. Longer for heavy air or planing boats.

* Set/Display course: Board, Flags, Hail

Starting Sequence: To avoid calculation errors, start on multiples of 5 minutes and lay out clock times & actions in 7 line table from Attention/AP to Start time.

* Give attention signal before sequence? Always should be one minute interval; if dropping AP, must be one minute.

* Warning: Class Flag + 1 sound at 5 to go

* Prep: Prep Flag (Code flag "P") up + 1 sound at 4 to go. Check wind and course

* Prep Flag down, + 1 long sound at 1 minute to go.

* Start: Class Flag down and one sound at 0 to go.

* Premature Starters Identified? Individual Recall (X + 1 sound)

* Can't identify most premature starters? General Recall (1st Sub + two sounds)

* Something not right? Before Start, Postpone (AP + 2 sounds) After start, abandon (N + 3 sounds) The AP is your friend! If in doubt about time, fly "AP."

Racers on the Course:

* Keep observing wind: Course still OK?

* Change of course needed? Requires good chase boat & radios; lacking, shorten instead.. Allow time for chase boat to get to mark and signal before lead boat. Signal is C Flag with multiple sounds and indicator for new mark (bearing, +, - etc.)

* Monitor Boats: Time to each mark by lead boat, mid-fleet, last boat. Will they finish within time limit? Anyone in trouble?

* Do we need to shorten course? Allow time to get to mark and set up before lead boat. Signal is S Flag and sounds as boats finish.

* See someone violate a rule or SIs? Want them penalized? Protest; do not signal or hail. Start writing up protest form.

Finish Line:

* Set Line: Must be set before lead boat arrives. Can and should be shorter than start line. Square to course from last mark desirable, but not essential.

* Ready to record finishes (and times?) by sail number? Forms? Pencils?

* Record Finishes: Every boat that crosses line in direction from last mark is a finisher until protested or proven OCS.

* A boat is racing from her prep signal until she finishes and clears the finish line.

Scoring:

* PHRF: Corr. Time = Elapsed T x Corr. Factor, Corr. Factor = 515/(715 - PHRF)

* Portsmouth: Corr Time = Elapsed T x DPN/100

* Unless SIs change: OCS = DNS = DNF = RET = DSQ = Entries + 1 (App. A 2.2)

Back at Dock:

* Put up Protest Flag + 1 sound: To show Protest time begun

* Clean up & stow RC gear

* RC Protesting? Have member of RC inform representative of the boat & deliver portest form to Protest Committee.