Hi Great article, good ideas, maybe this should be the new standard. Sounds also like it would be well to train race committes, or have them train themselves, as much as other sports train their officials.
Black Flag article
I really like your article and agree with most of the sentiments, especially the reason fo r using ‘I’ flag. I am, however, concern by teh contradictory comments: “…we dropped both start boats “B” and “C”… back about three feet.” and ” … the race committee had not one or two, but six sets of eyes watching different parts of the line, one spotter on each end and two spotters in the middle boats looking both ways.”. If B and C aren’t on the line (and in the photo it is more like 3 yards (metres) than feet) then they can’t cal OCS. If I was starting on that line and having sighted the line, knew that B&C were behind, I would start just in front of them. Behind the line but in front of the observers. they would probably call me over when I’m not. That would never stand up with the Jury by the RC’s own admission that the line observers were behind the line.
The Four-Boat Starting Line, Or How to Eliminate General Recalls and Black Flags by Ken Legler, NRO
The Four-Boat Starting Line
Or How to Eliminate General Recalls and Black Flags by Ken Legler, NRO
Long before there was a Black Flag rule I had the honor and challenge to PRO the 470 class World Championship with 75 boats. Former Olympian Gardner Cox came along one day as an on-board observer. So I asked him “What to you do if you set square lines and too many boats keep starting over early?”
“My son, at some point you have to start sending them home.”
I didn’t want to do that. Every entry in that event traveled a long way, some from halfway around the planet. We were using a mid-line boat and discovered two tricks that solved the problem. By dropping the mid-line boat back just two to four feet, competitors arriving in the front row could see two flags lined up and stopped moving forward. They could see the line! They also knew they would be caught if they went any further because we used the one-minute, round-the-ends-rule.
For the last two Optimist New England championships as PRO I employed a four-boat line. In 2009 we had a strong ebb tide and many boats over. We racked up as many as two dozen OCS’s per race on the ebb but none on the flood. However, there were no general recalls and no black flags. All 36 starts went right on schedule and no boat with a good start ever had a do-over because of all the other boats breaking a rule (RRS 29.1 and definition of Start). In 2010 with a gentle flood tide for most of the time there were only 12 OCS’s recorded in 44 starts. Some 30 starts were “All clear!”
Using four line boats properly and flag I for prep signal virtually eliminates recall problems. In these Opti regattas we dropped both start boats “B” and “C” (Signal boat was “A” and Port-line was “D”) back about three feet. Once again when competitors first arrived on the line they knew to go no further because they could see the line flags lining up. More important the race committee had not one or two, but six sets of eyes watching different parts of the line, one spotter on each end and two spotters in the middle boats looking both ways. Almost every start had three feet of line sag.
Why flag I? It’s not about the penalty or threat of penalty having to sail all the way to an end if caught. It’s about the ability of the race committee to write down any boat they see from one-minute on, rather than trying to take a mental photograph at the gun. With flag I, a boat cannot dip back into the crowd, leaving the RC guessing if they dipped back far enough with other boats blocking their view. Instead the RC clears only those boats that comply with the requirements of RRS 30.1. To soften the round-the-end penalty, we allow boats to exonerate by going around either end OR, around either middle boat as if it were the port end boat. Yes, we need to include a diagram in the sailing instructions as it can be confusing upon first read.
It is my firm belief that general recalls are very unfair. Of course letting a number of boats go that were over but unidentified is also unfair. General recalls are also a huge waste of time. Let’s say boats A, B, and C make awesome starts but boats C-J are over and only a few can be indentified. Two guns, first repeater, do-over start. Now the Black Flag comes out. On the next start A, B, and C are over but C-J make great starts. A-C are told to stop racing but C-J are fully exonerated. What happened to the great starts by A-C at the scheduled time and where is the penalty for C-J starting illegally the first time? See the inequity?
Many sailors and race committees alike are resigned to this problem and believe the Black Flag is the only way big fleets can be started. Having run 50,00 races (literally, I made a rough count) and never having used the black flag, I can tell you the Black Flag is not only unnecessary but actually promotes general recalls.
What? The Black Flag promotes general recalls? How?
The Black Flag threat means “Don’t worry about the first start with flag P, it will likely be a general recall, but once we have a general or two, we’re going to get serious and use the Black Flag.” With that in mind competitors will push the front row, forcing general recalls until the Black Flag comes out. On the other hand, if competitors know the race committee has multiple spotters and can nab any sail or bow number they see from one-minute on with flag I (not Z, the RC can’t tell who has cleared with Z and you still have another general) they are far less likely to lead the front row forward.
This method has been a hard sell for me. Here’s what I often hear as a compromise: “Okay, I like your reasoning for using flag I but let’s go with flag P on the first start and see what happens.” This is admitting to at least the possibility of a general recall and the fleet will understand this and push forward with the knowledge that they will likely be exonerated for free until the threat level increases to its highest point.
“Three or four line-boats sounds great but it won’t work for us because (pick one) A. There’s current here, B. We don’t have enough experienced line spotters, or C. We’ve never done it before.” This last excuse is the same I hear at my 420 clinics when I let kids know we’re going to use trapeze and spinnaker at the same time. At some point you have to go outside of your immediate comfort zone and try something new. With a little practice it can be done when it counts.
Practice is key. The Premiere Racing race committee at Key West Race Week runs through practice starts and mark sets on the day before the first race every year. Without this two hour practice, this race committee would not be world class, certainly not on the first day. For smaller regattas this practice can be done in the one hour, perhaps on the morning of the first race if volunteers cannot appear the prior afternoon. Each line boat should have a laundry basket with 200 feet of extra anchor rode and a counter weight on a ten foot tether to depress the anchor rode to prevent tripping centerboards. US Sailing trained Level I Instructors (with basic small motorboat skills) make great line boat operators. All they need is good ground tackle, a radio or loud hailer, and a script.
Some sailors like the Black Flag. Why? Because it eliminates some of their competition before the race even starts regardless of entry fee or distance traveled. What a shame.
Laser 2010 US Nationals Final Results
2010 Melges 24 World Championship Final Results
Lorenzo Bressani & Uka Uka Racing Win 2010 Marinepool Melges 24 World Championship, Oyvind Peder Jahre & Storm Capital Sail Racing Win Corinthian World Title
Despite the willingness of both the competitors and the Race Committee to do everything possible to complete the final two races of the 2010 Marinepool Melges 24 World Championship in Tallin, Estonia, the wind refused to make an appearance on the final day. After a patient wait of several hours, the one painfully light airs […]
FULL RESULTS: http://worlds2010.fi/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/fin_res_race10.html
Buzzards Bay Regatta Results 2010
Final Results for the BBR 2010, this year at Beverly Yacht Club, Marion, MA:
http://www.buzzardsbayregatta.com/2010results/index.php
505 World Championship Results
US Youth Championship Final Results
US Youth Championship Final Results
C420 Results: http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_regatta_results.php?regatta_id=2933&show_crew=1
29er Results: http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_regatta_results.php?regatta_id=2935&show_crew=1
Laser Results: http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_regatta_results.php?regatta_id=2903
Radial Results: http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_regatta_results.php?regatta_id=2932
I-420 World Championship Final Results
Protest Time now complete – no Gold Fleet hearings
No hearings
….and the Ferraris had a late challenge from a GBR team (powered with an Esso Tiger in the tank?) to divide the dominators!
Sunfish North American Championship Final Results
Bill Brangiforte Wins North American Championship
Sunday, July 25th, 2010
Mattituck, NY, USA – One month ago, Bill Brangiforte withdrew from the World Championship because of tendanitis in his left elbow. Unsure he could compete in the North American Championship, he decided to come anyway and see how things went. He took a race by race approach and monitored his elbow closely.
This approach proved to be the magic formula for Bill. In the final race of the regatta, Bill had a clutch performance in the breezy conditions that threatened his elbow the most. He finished second overall in the race, to clinch the North American Championship. Bill narrowly beat his long time friend Mark May, who finished the regatta second, 5 points behind. Recently crowned Youth World and Junior North American Champion Jose Guitierrez rounded out the top 3.
Sailing Collegiate Dinghies Clinic at Harvard, 17-19 August 2010
Sailing Collegiate Dinghies Clinic at Harvard
Program:
Three-day clinic intended for high school and college sailors who wish
to learn collegiate sailing techniques and practice like one of the top
college sailing teams in the country. It will be a great opportunity
for sailing teams that need a little extra coaching boost to get some
additional instruction. All aspects of sailing the Collegiate FJ and
420 will be covered. Specific topics will include straight-line speed,
tacking, gybing, and boat handling for starting. Sailors will use the
drills and copy the techniques that helped the Harvard Sailing Team win
5 straight Fowle Trophies as ICSA Team of the Year. Please note,
strategies and tactics may be covered in the clinic, however the focus
will be on sailing the boats well. Sailing will take place in
Harvard’s fleet of FJs and 420s.
Cost: $185.00 per sailor
Location: Harvard Sailing Center, Cambridge, MA
Dates: August 17 (Tuesday) – August 19 (Thursday), 2010
Times: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact: [email protected]
85-SAILING-1 (857) 245-4641
For more information visit us at www.CrimsonSailingAcademy.com/racing.html
Lightning Atlantic Coast Championship Final Results
2010 Lightning Atlantic Coast Champs – Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD
Series Standing – 3 races scored
Information is provisional and subject to modification
Regatta results saved: Monday, July 26, 2010 9:54:22 AM EDT
Division: Lightning (38 boats) (top)
Pos | Bow/Sail | Club | Skipper | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total Points |
Pos |
1 | 25/ 15425 | Starck, David | 5 | 1 | 3 | 9.00 | 1 | |
2 | 89/ 14589 | Taboada, Brian | 4 | 2 | 4 | 10.00 | 2 | |
3 | 12/ 15412 | Scanlon, Tim | 3 | 8 | 7 | 18.00 | 3 | |
4 | 40/ 15240 | SSA | Constants, Steve | 9 | 12 | 1 | 22.00 | 4 |
5 | 31/ 15131 | Phelan, Patrick | 12 | 6 | 10 | 28.00 | 5 | |
6 | 45/ 15345 | Brown, William | 17 | 7 | 5 | 29.00 | 6 | |
7 | 09/ 8330 | Patten, Caroline | 15 | 10 | 6 | 31.00 | 7 | |
8 | 30/ 15430 | Camarda, Andy | 28 | 5 | 2 | 35.00 | 8 | |
9 | 07/ 15367 | Harrington, George | 6 | 13 | 21 | 40.00 | 9 | |
10 | 36/ 14036 | Coplan, Justin | 2 | 4 | 39/BFD | 45.00 | 10 | |
11 | 51/ 15151 | SSA | Becker, Geoff | 1 | 39/BFD | 9 | 49.00 | 11 |
12 | 01/ 14881 | Egan, Daniel | 10 | 11 | 28 | 49.00 | 12 | |
13 | 97/ 14597 | Taboada, Keith | 13 | 25 | 12 | 50.00 | 13 | |
14 | 48/ 14548 | SSA | Guth, Jon | 16 | 17 | 17 | 50.00 | 14 |
15 | 16/ 15016 | SSA | Brickell, Jamie | 14 | 9 | 30 | 53.00 | 15 |
16 | 05/ 14855 | Benboce, Mavry | 11 | 28 | 16 | 55.00 | 16 | |
17 | 67/ 14567 | Allen, Mark | 8 | 24 | 25 | 57.00 | 17 | |
18 | 06/ 15406 | SSA | Keyworth, Tyler | 29 | 15 | 14 | 58.00 | 18 |
19 | 81/ 14581 | SSA | Friebele, Joe | 36 | 16 | 8 | 60.00 | 19 |
20 | 04/ 15351 | Barden, Pierce | 19 | 3 | 39/DNC | 61.00 | 20 | |
21 | 19/ 14719 | Bogardus, Bill | 7 | 27 | 29 | 63.00 | 21 | |
22 | 76/ 15276 | Lange, Philip | 25 | 18 | 22 | 65.00 | 22 | |
23 | 32/ 15132 | Gibbs, Brian | 39/OCS | 14 | 13 | 66.00 | 23 | |
24 | 27/ 14688 | Hayes, Brian | 34 | 22 | 11 | 67.00 | 24 | |
25 | 55/ 15055 | Hutchison, Hugh | 27 | 20 | 20 | 67.00 | 25 | |
26 | 53/ 15353 | Terhune, Allan | 18 | 39/BFD | 15 | 72.00 | 26 | |
27 | 20/ 14120 | Kirsy, Collin | 35 | 19 | 19 | 73.00 | 27 | |
28 | 88/ 14888 | Sengstackcan, Bob | 20 | 39/BFD | 18 | 77.00 | 28 | |
29 | 71/ 14174 | Shewfelt, Ann Marie | 24 | 30 | 24 | 78.00 | 29 | |
30 | 03/ 14553 | Welch, Rick | 32 | 21 | 27 | 80.00 | 30 | |
31 | 02/ 14942 | Moyer, Dick | 31 | 26 | 23 | 80.00 | 31 | |
32 | 08/ 14276 | Barney, Dale | 22 | 23 | 39/DNC | 84.00 | 32 | |
33 | 83/ 15083 | Werner, Jason | 21 | 32 | 32 | 85.00 | 33 | |
34 | 75/ MEX 14975 | De Rienzo, Aroldo | 23 | 33 | 34 | 90.00 | 34 | |
35 | 54/ 15054 | SSA | Lange, Jonathan | 26 | 31 | 33 | 90.00 | 35 |
36 | 22/ 14222 | Roberts, Russ | 30 | 29 | 31 | 90.00 | 36 | |
37 | 87/ 14287 | Lutian, Dave | 33 | 39/BFD | 26 | 98.00 | 37 | |
38 | 98/ 15232 | Hall, Robert | 37 | 34 | 35 | 106.00 | 38 |
Notes