TRADEOFFS A PRO FACES

The RC always faces tradeoffs between providing more racing and providing a perfect race.  Within limits, racers want more racing.  On the one hand, they are likely to forgive us if we try to provide more races, by, for example, running a simultaneous start and finish, and, as a result, create some interference between the fleets.  On the other hand, they are likely to be annoyed with us, if, for example, we make all the classes wait a half hour for one racer to finish before starting the next set of races. 

Simultaneous Start & Finish

The finish line is on the opposite side of the RC boat from the start line so that we can have simultaneous starts and finishes.   The advantage to a simultaneous start/finish is that the racers get  more racing time.  The disadvantage is that the classes could interfere with each other.   Whether we choose to start a class while others are still finishing depends on: 1) whether there are enough RC staff to simultaneously do the two jobs, 2) how bunched the finishing fleet is, and 3) the number of boats in the starting fleet.  For instance, if there is a larger group finishing all at once, it would be appropriate for us to wait. If the finishing fleet is spread out, we try to start the waiting class.

For regattas, we could setup a start that is away from the finish to solve the interference problem. For example, the start could be setup below the leeward mark and the finish above the windward mark.  The SIs do not preclude that.  The SIs also don’t preclude more imaginative setups, like the start in the middle of the course and the finish downwind and to one side of the start.

Perfect course

Try to setup a good, but not necessarily perfect, course.  The wind is more shifty on the river than on bigger bodies of water and the river is but so wide.  We can try to square the course & line to the wind at the start, but the wind will shift during the race and it doesn’t pay to try to do a change of course with multiple fleets and less than mile long legs.

On the other hand, only the windward mark needs to be in place at the 4-minute horn.  The leeward mark and finish line can wait until latter.  The leeward mark can be set finally as the first class reaches the windward mark.    The finish line can wait until the first class reaches its last leeward mark rounding.

Remember that an unfair race can be abandoned after the start.   For example, the wind might die completely before anyone has reached the first mark.  If that happens and you guess that when it fills it will come from an entirely new direction, consider abandoning the race. 

Also, if one class is racing and the wind shifts dramatically so that the RC can’t start subsequent classes, I think it is OK to shorten that first class’ race so that you can re-square the course and get everybody racing.

Perfect start

For fairness (and probably the safety of our boats) it is best to have a pretty square line at the start.   On a shifty wind day, go ahead and set the line and start the sequence.  Then hope that as the last minute approaches the wind settles down to where you have set the line.   If it looks really bad, throw up the postponement, move the pin and start the sequence again.   The racers are having fun trying to figure out their first-leg strategy and practicing their starting tactics, so don’t worry about the postponements.  

Other Notes

Rolling starts not required

Use them to save a little time, but don’t be a slave to them.   The SIs do not require that they the starts be rolling.  A mark boat can pick it up and drop it in a new place and the sequence restarted quickly.   Remember that the pin only needs to be in position at the 4-minute sound.  It can move between the 5- & 4-minute horns.