Page 47 - Race

9. STARTING PROCEDURES

9.1 Laying the Course

Apart from the start line there is no requirement in the RRS to have any marks in place at the start
of a race when P or I are the preparatory signals. It is good practice, however, to have at least the
st
1 mark laid at that time. When Z or the black flag are used as the preparatory signals, in order to
conform with RRS 30.2 and 30.3, the first mark must be in place before the preparatory signal.

9.2 Flag 'Y'

If 'Y' is to be displayed it shall be at or before the warning signal. Wearing personal  
floatation devices is required as per RRS 40 or as stated in the SIs. The signal is
displayed with one sound.

9.3 Displaying the Course

There are many ways to let the competitors know which course they are to sail: standard courses
with a designated letter for each course; described in an appendix to the SIs when a signal lets the
competitors know which course to use; course information announced over the VHF radio - usually
offshore fleets, when racing ‘round the cans’.

Whatever method is used, the course shall be displayed at or before the warning signal.

Once the warning signal has been displayed/announced the only way a RO can change the course
is to Postpone before the start or signal a General Recall or Abandon after the start.

9.4 Starting

The standard starting sequence is described in the RRS. It is based on a 5 minute sequence
commencing with the warning signal and ending with the Start of the race (5-4-1-Go). The
preparatory signal incorporates different penalties, which can be applied, as required.

This system has one major advantage over previous systems: the sequence of signals is exactly the
same irrespective of whether it is the first start of the day or a restart after a Postponement, a General
Recall or an Abandonment.

In the standard starting sequence there is one minute between the warning and preparatory signals.
Under some circumstances this period is insufficient but it can be extended. A simple SI extending
this period will suffice. This is not a change to the RRS - see RRS 26. However, changing the timings
of subsequent signals relative to the start would be a rule change.

It is good practice to give competitors some warning that a new start sequence is about to begin. It
tells the competitors that the race committee is ready and the start sequence is imminent, so they
can prepare accordingly. It is recommended that a SI is used as follows: ‘To alert boats that a race
or sequence of races will begin soon, the orange starting line flag will be displayed (with one sound)
for at least five minutes before a warning signal is made.’

Only in exceptional circumstances shall races be sailed ‘ahead of schedule’.

Version March 2018 45