Page 62 - Judge Manual 2017

Positioning of boats

The Judge working as the course chief will assign positions behind the line.
Usually the boats will spread from right to left. Their positioning will depend
on the distribution of competitors, and not the actual starting line. When
assigned to take the “pin end” of “left end”, a boat will cover the boats closest
to the pin end of the line.

The boats should position themselves far enough behind the fleet to observe
ten to fifteen boats and close enough to respond quickly, depending on the
size of the fleet. Since most competitors are on starboard tack in their final
positioning just before the start, Jury boats will have the best view when they
are positioned astern of the boats.

When a large group of competitors is seeking to start at the starboard end of
the line (typically the signal boat end), Judges may well find that they can
best observe these competitors by being in a position below and to the right
of the entire starting line.

I.8.2 Upwind

Judges can find it challenging to move their boats into a good position to
signal a penalty without affecting other competing boats. In light wind, the
sound of a hail and the whistle will carry a long distance allowing the Jury boat
to signal with less movement. Immediately after the start, it may be impossible
to signal promptly without interfering with other competing boats. In this case,
wait until you can make a good approach to the competitor, and then signal
them. When you’ve had to delay the penalty, you can add a quick explanation
such as “Rocking back at the start” so that the competitor knows why you
penalized them.

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