Page 37 - Race

8.3 Windward-Leeward

This is the simplest of courses to set and is used for all types of boat. If there is a large fleet, then
an additional mark is required, so that mark 4 can become a gate. A gate gives competitors additional
decisions to make by providing the opportunity to choose which side of the next beat to use without
having to cross boats running downwind with spinnakers. Mark 1a can also be used as an offset and
for safety.

The most usual position for the start line is
immediately downwind of mark 4. Some 50
metres is sufficient distance, although 0.05nm
(100m) is 11for the reference point tables.

1a Because the windward-leeward course is
frequently used when more than one race per
day is scheduled, the start line, reduced in
length, becomes the finish line. Some classes
4 vary this by moving the finish line 50 metres
upwind of mark 1 for the last race of the day if
the windward aspect of the course is close to
home.

8.4 Sausage Triangle

This was always known as the ‘Olympic’ course.
The sausage triangle, as it was known, is no
longer used in the Olympics because in the
context of that Regatta it is no longer an efficient
use of resources and time. However, when
there is a one class Championship, and the
class require reaching legs, then this should be
the preferred course. It has the advantage that
when mark 2, the gybe mark, is positioned
correctly it can give a variety of reaching
angles.

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