CSC Race Officer Guidance Notes
These notes are designed to assist you run Club racing and should be followed.Our Sailing Instructions have been revised and simplified to make them easier to understand and assist those new to racing or running races. The Sailing Instructions are on the Club web site under Sailing Documents where you can also find the following:
Race Signals - (Flags and Sound Signals);
RO/ARO Flag Guide;
Handicap Fleets.
To hone your skills the RYA have an on-line training programme that can be accessed in sections and done at your leisure.
Check this out on the RYA web site. Look for CLUB RACE MANAGEMENT
Below are some simple points to guide you:
Please check with the Club Manager, for risk assessment purposes, regarding sailing conditions and safety cover. The Manager makes the final decision on when the water is closed for sailing/racing;
Check the wind conditions approximately 4 knots minimum wind strength across the water is needed for club racing to proceed. If there is a lack of wind raise the AP flag on the Club flagpole;
In light winds do short courses and be prepared to run short races especially in dying winds;
An X and Y mark can be used if the wind conditions prevent you using a fixed race mark;
For Sunday racing a spreader mark (yellow flag) should be set at the windward mark to separate the asymmetric fleet from the other dinghies;
Allow approximately 40 minutes for back to back races. In winter races of approximately 30 minutes should be considered, depending on weather conditions;
Race durations from first start Sundays 40 minutes & Wednesdays 45 minutes for leading boats (approximate).
Check the time taken to complete the first lap to work out the number of laps to be sailed;
Record the times for each boat that passes through the line ONLY record sail numbers once they have done the first lap;
Please make sure the time record sheets are clear and legible;
For Sunday mornings:
- Do not start the 2nd race before 11:15 hrs to allow those sailing the 2nd morning race time to get to the start;
- Aim to finish morning races by about 12:15 hrs.
For Sunday afternoons:
- Plan to start at 13:30 hrs but if the morning race is delayed please start later and let the sailors know in advance;
For back to back races please:
- Plan the next course before the finish of the preceding race often easy to keep the same course but this depends on wind conditions etc.
- Plan the start time for the next race and be ready as the last boat crosses the finish line so boats are not kept hanging around waiting to start.
The Finish
To finish a race try not to split the fleets since the results are based on average lap times. If there is a big spread between the fastest and the slowest base the race on the average boat lap time (some may be less than 40 minutes others may be more).
Any comments, suggestions, feedback please let the Sailing Secretary know.
