Page 50 - Judge Manual 2017

balance arm weighing machine, or pressure pads fed to an electronic read-out),
and make it available for use by competitors for checking their own weight. If a
spring balance is to be used, a standard test weight near to the critical weight
should be on hand to verify the accuracy of the weighing machine. The current
practice is to have the scales calibrated and certified by the local government
authority who certifies the scale’s accuracy.

The responsibility for weighing rests with the race committee or the technical
committee. However, it is wise for the protest committee to monitor the method
and equipment. In this way, any shortcomings can be corrected before they
cause problems which may result in a request for redress.

When stated in the class rules or Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions, the
race committee or the technical committee should carry out the weighing of
clothing after racing to check the limit imposed by rule 43, in accordance with
Appendix H. A wise protest committee will monitor the method and equipment
used.

H.6 Communicating with Support Persons

Judges should treat all support persons with respect. Among them, coaches
and team leaders, are professionals. They often have much more immediate
experience than the regatta race officers or protest committee members. It is
common for an Olympic team coach to attend world championships in four or
five different classes in one year. This gives them a unique understanding of
what specific issues are currently being discussed and might arise during the
regatta.

It is often desirable for the organizing authority to arrange a meeting of support
persons before racing begins and, if possible, each morning during the regatta.
Such meetings provide an informal interface between the competitors, the race
management team and the protest committee. The meetings in no way replace
official communications to competitors posted on the Official Notice Board.

From the regatta organizer’s point of view, these problems and procedures can
be addressed:
• rule observance
• acting as safety cover in bad weather and towing
• regatta administration such as parking, opening ceremony, social
events, boat launching, and recovery
• support boats entering the racing exclusion zone

On the morning of the last race, discuss their recommendations for future
regattas.

These regular meetings provide an opportunity for competitors to offer
constructive suggestions, either directly or through their coaches.

Discussions with a coach often can prevent problems from occurring. One
example is that through the discussion, a coach may work with a competitor to
change a behavior that is approaching the stage of a breach of sportsmanship.