Mike Levesque
Principal Race Officer, RI Summer Classic 2004 has this comment about Race Management and one of the Racing Rules.* * * * * * *
On Saturday [8/7/04], there was some confusion among a few of the competitors about the procedure used to shorten the course in the last race. We ran a 2G, and shortened the course at the second gate rounding as the wind was getting lighter.
The gate was just off the starboard side of the Signal Boat. After the first rounding, we tied one of the gate marks to the Signal Boat, and displayed flag S on the Signal Boat. As the first boat approached the gate for the second time, we blew two horns. There was no flag displayed at A mark.
Per the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004, (RRS) under Race Signals is the following:
S (Two horns when raised) No later than the warning signal: Sail the short course. At a rounding or finishing mark: Finish between the nearby mark and the staff displaying this flag.
In the IHCA Sailing Instructions:
11.2 When the course is shortened at a gate, a RC boat near the gate will display flag S and boats shall finish by sailing through the gate from the direction of the previous mark. The finishing line will be between the gate marks. This changes Race signal S.
Most of the confusion was from sailors that haven't seen this flag used in a very long time. Apparently, there used to be a rule that said the S flag was displayed at a mark to indicate that the finish would be at the next mark. This is certainly no longer true, and hasn't been for the last eight years (check the 1997-2000 RRS).
Another question was asked whether a C flag is required at the previous mark to indicate that the course is being shortened at the next mark. Under the Race Signals, the C flag is used only to indicate that the position of the next mark has been changed. Since we did not move the position of the gate, this does not apply.
In case you're interested, the 2005-2008 RRS have been reorganized, but the basic procedures for shortening and changing the course have not changed (except that they now include language about gates so we don't need to cover that in our SIs).
I hope this clears up any lingering questions. I would be more than happy to set up a Race Committee seminar for anyone interested in learning more about this. Better yet, do what I do: volunteer to work at a North American championship once a year, and race in at least one a year. You'll be amazed at what you will learn, and how to fix problems that face RCs when the wind does bad things.
Division 12 Regatta Management Forms (as prepared/suggested by Scot MacKeil)
The following forms are recommended for use by anyone in charge of running a Division 12 Point Regatta. Please print these pages and generate your own copies as needed.
Click here to view the Guidelines
Click here to view the Judge's Form
Click here to view the Regatta Scoring and Information Checklist