Page 39 - Race

Gates are usual at marks 3 and 4. An offset mark is sometimes used at the windward end of the
inner loop but this is not usually necessary on the outer loop (as the boats will have already sailed
two beats, a run and a reach before reaching this point with separation already achieved). The most
usual position for the start line is immediately downwind of mark 4 - 100 metres is sufficient distance.
The finishing line is set on a reach from mark 3 to the finish.

If resources allow, it is better to have two course areas (and race committees) sailing windward-
leeward courses than one race committee with two classes sailing a trapezoid.

8.5 Round the Cans

Commonly used for keel-boats these courses attempt to emulate the laid courses above but using
fixed marks. More varied racing can be provided with no additional resource requirement. Clearly
the course will be constrained by the available positions of marks. Laid marks are commonly used
in addition to the fixed marks so as to minimise this constraint. A good course will not include too
much reaching for handicap racing as this will give an advantage to those boats with the longer
waterline length. IRC ratings are based on an assumption that boats will sail at least 50% of the
course beating.

Coastal Courses
These courses often provide a challenge to both to sailors and the Race Team. Issues such a tide
times and tidal gates can become important and calculating when boats with different speeds might
arrive at certain points on the course in the prevailing wind conditions is essential. Having access to
good charts and tidal information is necessary.

8.6 The Windward Leg
This is common to all the courses described earlier (the windward-leeward, the sausage triangle and
the trapezoid).

The quickest and most efficient way of placing the windward mark (mark 1) in its correct position is
as follows:

1. Anchor the committee vessel

2. Mark 1 mark layer comes alongside and using the GPS in his boat, marks the committee vessel
position. This is retained throughout the day unless the committee vessel is moved.

3. The mark layer then proceeds on the compass bearing and distance from either the reference
point or the committee vessel, whichever method is used, using the GPS, until he reaches the
required position.

4. At this point the mark layer ‘holds station’, that is, does not anchor nor place the mark in the
water until requested to lay the mark.

5. In this period they will be sending reports of any variations in wind direction and strength back to
the RO.

Getting the leg length correct is important and requires several factors to be taken into account:

 Race duration – many SIs now have a target time for the first boat to finish the race. Calculating
how long the legs need to be to achieve this target time is of prime importance.

 Boat speed in different wind and wave conditions.

Version March 2018 37