Page 45 - Race

20 metre offshore boat in their requirements for space to manoeuvre. This is where the judgement
of the RO is crucial to a good start.

The quality and experience of the fleet is also a crucial factor. In the Olympic Regatta and in those
classes who reduce fleet size for their final rounds in their major championships, almost every boat
will require a space on the start line. Therefore the above formula in calculating the length of the line
is correct. However, where every boat that enters the competition is allowed to start at the same
time, then it is inevitable that the less experienced sailors will be in a second or third rank behind the
start line, at the start. This makes the start line, using the above formula, too long.

A very long start line presents difficulties for the RO. Frequently the wind is different at either end
and clear identification of boats that are OCS is difficult.

Reducing the length of a long start line to a manageable length gives the competitors a better chance
of a ‘fair’ start, and also gives the RO a better chance of getting the fleet away first time without
having to resort to penalty flags.

Start Line Bias
o
o
It was customary to lay a starting line with approximately 5 - 10 of bias favouring the port end. This
0
is no longer the case. ROs are advised to set a square start line. That is a start line that is at 90 to
the average wind direction (sailing wind) that has already been established. Once laid this start line
can be ‘fine tuned’ by moving either end of the start line by paying out or taking in the anchor line.
The RO should watch the fleet as they test the line for any advantage. If the fleet starts to favour one
end over the other, then, if there is time, they may adjust the line.

When there is a current running parallel with the
start line it will push boats to one end or the other.
If the current is pushing the boats to the pin end,
the pin end is moved downwind by a small amount
to enable boats to clear the pin end easily. This is
starboard bias. The converse happens when the
current is in the opposite direction. In effect the
line is being set at right angles, and so square, to
the Sailing Wind.

When one side of the course is favoured by the fleet,
using bias will help spread the boats along the line.
Reasons for one side of the course to be favoured
include unbalanced tides and wind angle and/or wind
speed variations across the course area. Failure to
recognise this by setting a start line at right angles
0
(90 ) to the sailing wind seen at this location will result
in the fleet all trying to start from the pin end and
probably causing a general recall.

Whatever happens the line must be fixed by the
preparatory signal. No further adjustments may be
made after this signal is displayed.

Version March 2018 43