Barge Season

Transcription

1 Barge Season Running a Wednesday night race is easy and Fun. It is also a great way to help improve your own racing by watching what others are doing up close. All you need to do is: 1. Get yourself and associates to the barge 2. Set the start & finish line 3. Set the course & show it to the fleet on the back of the barge 4. Start the races - Start Time 6:30 Wednesday nights 5. Record the results 6. Back to the club to hear the night s stories 1. Get yourself, the gear and your crew to the barge Pick up the key for the barge from the clubhouse. It is generally kept in the cabinet below the TV. The City of Calgary Rescue boat will take you out to the barge. If they are not in their office they can be reached by the phone in the box outside their office. This is also a great time to have them help you set the start pin (and finish pin) Personal Gear Life Jacket Watch with countdown timer Voice recorder? Camera? Appropriate weather gear Music? Snacks? Cell Phone Barge Gear: (on the Barge) Flags in blue bag Gear Box Race Management Binder Air Horn & Extra Air cans Anemometer (wind speed) Rule Book Membership Directory Race Record Sheets Stop Watches Several Pens and Pencils Course Numbers Box RACING AREA Identifier (see Appendix A ) Start and Finish Pins 2. Set the Start Line First find the wind direction. The barge, being anchored, should be facing into the wind. The Start will be approximately 90 o to the wind. Measure the wind speed and direction, make a note of it. The line should be 1.25 x # of boats x length of longest boats racing.

2 a. SET THE START PIN. The pin should be set on the port side of the Barge (left side of the barge looking forward) forming a line 90 to the average wind direction about 350 ft from the Barge. That is your Start Line. Either the City Rescue Boat or one of the sailors will help you set the pin(s). b. SET THE FINISH PIN (OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED) The finish pin is optional giving you a separate finish line. It can make life easier because the boats finishing a race stay clear of boats starting a different race. Set the finish pin on the Starboard side of the barge directly opposite the starting pin. Finish line can be considerably shorter than start line. c. RAISE THE R/C PENNANT The RC (Race Committee) pennant is the barge end of the Start and Finish Line. Ready the flags, horns, and record sheets. d. RECORD SAIL NUMBERS List the boats (sail #) by fleet participating in the races on the Record Sheets. Crossreference to names using membership guide in R/C Kit 3. Set the Course a. PLAN YOUR COURSE The length of the race is a judgment call depending on wind and time available. If you are unsure, start with a short race to get things started. BE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH RACING AREA IS CURRENTLY IN USE (SPRING, SUMMER OR FALL - SEE APPENDIX A ). DISPLAY THE APPROPRIATE RACING AREA IDENTIFIER SIGN ON THE BACK OF THE BARGE. BE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE THE MARKS ARE POSITIONED ON THE LAKE PRIOR TO SETTING THE COURSE! b. PICK THE FIRST MARK The first mark should be directly upwind from the starting line. The X mark can be used where no number mark is suitable. c. PICK THE NEXT MARKS Windward leeward courses are preferred as they promote tactical involvement. Reaching legs help to separate the fleets or set up a better weather leg. d. PICK THE FINAL MARK The final mark is usually down wind of the finish line. This makes the last leg upwind to the finish e. CHOOSE PORT OR STARBOARD ROUNDINGS Pick which side of the marks you want the boats to round on that will cause the least confusion. Try to eliminate Button Hooks. (Port rounding is the norm)

3 Port Rounding Racer leaves Mark to Port (Left) Use Red # Starboard Rounding Racer leaves Mark to Starboard (Right) Use Green # CHANGING COURSE AFTER START SEQUENCE HAS BEGUN Should a sudden wind shift or other change in circumstances require a change in the race course AFTER THE START SEQUENCE HAS COMMENCED, the AP Pennant (shown above) should be hoisted in conjunction with a sound. This s to the fleets who have not yet started that the original sequence has been terminated. Any fleets who have not yet started racing will enter a new start sequence as per Section 4 once the course has been adjusted and displayed by the Race Committee. Once the course has been adjusted and you are ready to recommence the start sequence, make a sound and drop the AP flag ONE MINUTE PRIOR TO RECOMMENCING THE START SEQUENCE. Example of SE Wind Short Course (Race Marks shown in Summer Positions Please refer to Appendix A Mark Positions) This course is Start Finish all to port. The Back of Barge would read: 3 2 6

4 4. Start the Races a. STARTING SEQUENCE FOR EACH FLEET Time to start Flags Sound Signal 3 min 2 min 1 min 0 min Class flag displayed (see part b below) P, I, Z, Black flag or I and Z displayed (see part c below) Preparatory flag(s) removed Class flag removed/next Class Flag hoisted Warning Preparatory One minute Start b. CLASS FLAGS Class Pennant Pennant Number Fireball 1 Laser / Byte 2 San Juan 21 3 Martin 16 Wayfarer C/L 16 4 X-Class Dingy 5 X-Class Keelboats 6

5 c. PREPARATORY SIGNAL FLAGS 2 MIN) CHOOSE ONE Your choice of flag flown as the preparatory indicates to the fleet that either: a. it will be a normal start sequence, or b. that a starting penalty that applies during the one minute before the start as follows: Preparatory Flag(s) P I Z Black Flag Meaning NORMAL PREPARATORY SIGNAL; no starting penalties are in effect. Boats that are over the line at the start can return through the line or round the ends. The Round-an-End Rule 30.1 will be in effect. If a boat is over the line during the minute before the start then they must sail to the pre-start side of the line around either end before starting. The 20% Penalty Rule 30.2 will be in effect. If a boat is in the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark during the minute before the start it will receive a 20% scoring penalty. (20% of the number entered or as dictated by the sailing instructions) The Black Flag Rule 30.3 will be in effect. If boat is in the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark during the minute before its start it will be disqualified. I & Z Both the Round-an-End Rule and the 20% Penalty Rule will be in effect during the minute before the start.

6 d. EXAMPLE: A TYPICAL START SEQUENCE Following is an example for starting 3 classes at 3 minute intervals. The first start is scheduled for 6:30 pm. Numerals 1, 2 and 3 are used as class flags. The individual columns in the table are used to representing different flags. In the starting sequence code flag P can be replaced with I, Z, or the Black flag if a starting penalty applies. See preparatory flags part c above. TIME FLAGS SOUND SIGNAL 18:30 Class 1 warning 18:31 Class 1 preparatory 18:32 Class 1 one minute 18:33 Class 1 start, Class 2 warning. 18:34 Class 2 preparatory 18:35 Class 2 one minute 18:36 Class 2 start, Class 3 warning 18:37 Class 3 preparatory 18:38 Class 3 one minute 18:39 Class 3 start

7 e. RECALLS If there are boats over the line at the starting and they can be identified then an individual recall must be ed If the boats cannot be identified then a general recall ed. Recall Flag Flag Name Sound Individual X Flag General First Substitute Individual recalls are relatively simple, after the start an extra sound is made and code flag X displayed, the rest of the starting sequence is not interrupted. Remember it is important to write down the numbers of any boats that are over and cross them off when they have returned to the pre-start side or its extensions. This record may be required as evidence in a protest. The X flag should be left flying until all premature starters have returned or for three minutes if not all the premature starters have returned. If the I flag rule (RR30.1) is being used then the premature starters must return round the ends of the line before starting. When a competitor is clearly and knowingly over the line or its extensions they have an obligation to start correctly even if there is no recall. For example a late arriving competitor approaching from the course side cannot join a race part way along the first leg of the course just because the race officer failed to spot them in the melee of other classes and therefore failed to a recall. A general recall should be made when there are unidentified premature starters or there has been an error in the starting procedure. The key word here is unidentified. A general recall is ed after the start by two extra sound s and displaying the First Substitute, all flags for succeeding classes should be lowered. Before attempting a restart, the reason for the general recall should be considered. The First Substitute is lowered with one sound one minute before restarting the starting sequence at the warning for the recalled class. The times on the start sequence table should be adjusted to allow for the general recall. It is always best to keep the delay due to a general recall or postponement to a whole number of three minutes. The individual recall flag "X" and the general recall flag "first substitute" need to be prepared ready for use before the starting sequence starts. f. SOME ADDITIONAL NOTES i. Signals Remember that it is the flag s that control the start and that getting them correct should be of primary importance to the race officer. Likewise the competitors should know and understand the s.

8 ii. An Extra Pair of Hands As you can see there is a lot to be done when each is made. Keeping time, hoisting flags, lowering flags, making sound s, watching the line for premature starters, keeping track of who s who on the scoresheet, etc. Be sure to talk things through beforehand and don t be afraid to delegate tasks on the barge! iii. Oops! If the race committee screws up (we know this is an extremely rare occurrence), then the race for the class or classes affected should be: immediately postponed if before the start + issued a general recall at the start + abandoned if after the start + Their starting sequence should then be re-commenced as per the protocol set out in the boxed note after section 3(e). Although the sound s are only to draw attention to the flag s it is just as important to get these correct as most competitors will use them for their timing. g. ABANDONMENT Unlike Postponement, Abandonment applies to ALL FLEETS, not just the ones who haven t started yet. i. Abandonment with Subsequent Restart Use this strategy if either you really screwed something up that will affect all fleets on the course not just the ones who haven t yet started - or if there has been a significant change in conditions that makes it unreasonable to continue with the present race. Hoist the N flag, and make three sound s. When you re ready to restart, drop the N flag and make one sound one minute prior to the new warning for the first fleet. ii. Permanent Abandonment Use this strategy if in your judgment it would be best to cease all racing for the day and head ashore. Examples of such situations include: Thunderstorms or impending violent weather; a permanent evaporation of all wind with no likelihood of its arising again; oncoming darkness; time limits reached; etc. Hoist the N flag over the A flag, and make three sound s. Then call the Boat Patrol on your cell phone and arrange for your ride ashore.

9 All races started are abandoned. Return to Start Area. All racing is abandoned. No more racing today!

10 Appendix A Mark Positions Water levels at Glenmore Reservoir can fluctuate significantly over the course of the year due to the City of Calgary s flood control efforts downstream. To make the most of the lake over the entire sailing season we have therefore established three different racing areas. PLEASE NOTE THAT MARK AND BARGE POSITIONS WILL VARY DEPENDING UPON THE RACING AREA IN USE, ROUGHLY ACCORDING TO THE LOCATIONS IDENTIFIED IN THIS APPENDIX. The Racing Area currently in use will be identified on the GSC web site and on the notice board in the GSC clubhouse. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THE RACING AREA CURRENTLY IN USE AND THE ASSOCIATED MARK POSITIONS before setting a race course as Race Committee. Racing Area 1: Spring - Low Water (Typically May/June): Barge is located in centre of East Arm. Marks 1,2,3 are located on the east end of the arm near Glenmore Landing and marks 4,5,6 are located along the western edge of the deep water in the East Arm. Actual positions will depend on specific conditions.

11 Racing Area 2: Summer - Standard Mark Positions (Typically July/August) Barge is located in its traditional position off the headland north of the clubhouse. Mark 1 is off the rowing club; Mark 2 is off the Heritage Docks; Mark 3 is off Glenmore Landing; Mark 4 is off the GSC docks; Marks 5 and 6 are located along the edge of the deeper water between Marks 4 and 1.

12 Racing Area 3: Fall - Full Lake (Typically September/October) This mark layout is designed to give us two months of full-lake racing in the fall when the water levels are typically at their highest. Barge is located in its traditional position off the headland north of the clubhouse. Marks 1 through 4 remain in their traditional positions. Mark 5 is located at the south end of the West Arm. Mark 6 is located at the north end of the West Arm.