NOVEMBER 12, 2019
STARTS SEMINAR
FRED MOLNAR AND DON
RADCLIFFE
This was the second of our Tuesday night seminars and was
attended by 25 people with active participation. It started with Fred talking about his
preparation and execution of the start of a race.
Fred set out a comprehensive plan for approaching any
regatta or race. He described studying
any notes he had about the venue (if in a venue other than home). He also said it is important to know who your
competitors are and who are the fast boats you are competing against. In preparation for the race you should check
your boat for the race (weight? Clean bottom?).
Also check the weather reports for the type of wind predicted (predict
wind website). Your crew should engage
in safety drills if something untoward should occur (MOB?). You should assign crew to appropriate
positions. Leave dock in plenty of time
to assess the situation on the water and practice a few tacks and jibes (if new
crew). As you approach the start area
check for kelp which can slow your boat dramatically if it decides to
hitchhike. You should observe the water
for wind indications and look for birds and flags for further information. You can also observe the flow of the kelp to
determine the direction of currents that may be taken advantage of.
Ten to thirty minutes before the start you should determine
the true direction of the wind and which end of the line is favored. Everything else being equal, if you can start
at the favored end of the line, it is like taking a legal head start on the
other boats. You should also sail around
the end of the line to get a sight on a landmark that helps determine when you
are on the line.
Assess the wind. Is
it steady, oscillating or shifting? Time
the line: how long does it take to sail the length of the line? You should note the course number indicating
which course to follow (have two people agree on the course). Have crew apprise skipper of any boats that
may interfere with the planned start.
And ALWAYS keep an eye out for kelp strands in the water waiting to
hitchhike and slow you down.
These steps are aimed at having you start in clean air at
the favored end of the line at full speed going in the right direction (toward
the better wind).
After Fred’s presentation Don Radcliffe discussed some of
the racing rules that come into play at the start. There were several scenarios presented. What I learned was that in a “barging
situation” there is no such thing as barging in the rule book. There IS windward/ leeward right of way and
luffing rights. If you have a boat that
is attempting to “barge” it is important to hale “NO ROOM” OR “DON’T GO THERE”
well ahead of time so they have time to clear the committee boat or mark. It is
also critical that the boat that is being “barged” does NOT alter course. The boat should be sailing straight for the
corner of the line where the windward boat is trying to sneak through.
There was also a discussion of luffing rights on the
line. In these situations a lot depends
on HOW the overlap was achieved. As an
example if the leeward boat achieved overlap from behind, AFTER the start
signal the leeward boat cannot sail above proper course to luff a windward
boat.
Thanks to Fred and Don for an excellent presentation.
Next Tuesday we will have Tom Conerly speak about improving
boat speed. Start time will be 6pm with
the grill open from 5:15 to 5:45. As
usual the seminar will be downstairs at the yacht club.
Upstairs will not be open.
See you next Tuesday.
Barry Keeler
Sailing Pair A Dice
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