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
US Optimist National Championship Final Results from FIshing Bay Yacht Club
For Full Results, go here: http://optinationals2010.org/results/
by Lina Scott
July 24, 2010 (Deltaville, VA) – Since July 17, some of America’s best junior sailors, and several international sailors, have gathered in Deltaville to compete for the title of National Champion. Fishing Bay Yacht Club has been the host yacht club for the 315 sailors, their coaches, and their families. The championship regatta included Team Race Nationals, Girls Nationals, and Open Fleet Nationals. The event has been quite successful, with only a few postponements due to light air. It has been a great opportunity for young sailors to challenge themselves by competing against the very best. Open Fleet Nationals also gave new competitors some valuable experience by setting up a separate course, complete with experienced coaches, for the Green Fleet.
Team Race Nationals (July 16-19) – Team Racing consisted of 24 teams who competed in a Swiss League format, which set teams of four against each other on a short, tight course. The sailors completed 108 races over a course of three days. The format resulted in two divisions, with Gold being the top level and Silver the second. Going into the last race, LISOT Blue led Lauderdale YC 4 by 3 points. But the race, which counted 6 points was won by Lauderdale YC 4. As a result, first place in the Gold division went to the Lauderdale YC 4 Team, made up of Wade Waddell, Liza Toppa, Alie Toppa, Christopher Williford, and Duncan Williford. The LISOT Blue Team of Alexandra DelBello, Reiner Eenkema van Dijk, Drew Gallagher, Ty Ingram, and Harry Koeppel finished in 2nd place. In 3rd place were Andy Widmeier, Justine O’Connor, Ben Kern, Ian MacDiarmid, Nic Muller, and Wiley Rogers on Team M One. The LISOT Black Team, made up of Jared Gaynes, Matthew Kaplan, Will Logue, Jack Parkin, and Sean Walsh, came in 4th place.
In the Silver division, the LISOT Red Team of Matt Logue, Florian Eenkema van Dijk, Henry Fernberger, Travis Bobley, and Russell Clarida took 1st place Benton Cove Racing Team members Tyler Fleig, Noah Kelleher, Cameron Grubb, and Olivier Grubb finished in 2nd place. The Gnarly Red team, made up of KB Knapp, Peter Sterflinger, Ceci Wollmann, Chrissie Klinger, and Jack Budhill finished 3rd. The Loot Silver Team of Alec Chicoine, Joey Diamond, Mehvish Khan, Alyson Turner, and Amy-Katherine Turner came in 4th place.
Girls Nationals (July 20) – In this part of the event, 80 very talented girl sailors competed in three races on a 1.5-mile trapezoid course. Haddon Hughes of Houston Yacht Club came in 1st place, winning the girl champion title. She was followed by Eliot Caple of Naples Sailing Center in 2nd place and KB Knapp of Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club in 3rd. Martina Sly of Coral Reef Yacht Club finished in 4th place. After the day’s racing, the girls and the other competitors got to meet Anna Tunnicliffe, 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner, 2-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and 2009 World Sailor of the Year. She gave them some valuable sailing advice and signed autographs. She also posed for photos with the girls, who got to wear her gold medal. The young sailors really enjoyed meeting Anna and asking questions about how she achieved so much in their sport.
Open Fleet Nationals (July 21-24) – For the open fleet, Day 1 and Day 2 were scheduled for qualifying races that placed the sailors into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Pearl Fleets. This format allowed the top sailors to compete against those with similar abilities. Day 2 did not have enough wind to race, so the qualifying races only actually took place on Day 1. On Day 3, the four fleets each got in 2 races. They completed 3 races on the fourth and final day of the regatta. In Gold Fleet, Nic Muller of US Sailing Center of Martin Co. came in 1st place. Richard Schuurmans of Houston Yacht Club came in 2nd place and Harry Koeppel of Larchmont Yacht Club finished in 3rd place. In 4th place was Eliot Caple of Naples Sailing Center. Girls overall winners were Eliot Caple of Naples Sailing Center in 1st place, Haddon Hughes from Houston Yacht Club in 2nd and Alexandra DelBello of American Yacht Club
In Silver, Alie Toppa of Lauderdale Yacht Club finished in first. She was followed by Ford McCann of Texas Corinthian Yacht Club in 2nd, Audrey Giblin of Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club in 3rd, and Federico Jover of Uruguay in 4th. In Bronze, Jed Londrey of Fishing Bay Yacht Club won 1st place. Sophie Sole of Houston Yacht Club came in 3rd, Jensen Mctighe of Lauderdale Yacht Club came in 4th, and Matt Logue of Riverside Yacht Club finished in 4th. In Pearl Fleet, Gantt Shiflet of Davis Island Yacht Club finished in 1st place. Jillian Ticatch of Houston Yacht Club came in 2nd, Thad Hutcheson of Texas Corinthian Yacht Club came in 3rd, and Stephen Streater of Norfolk Yacht Club came in 4th.
View results, photos, video and more now on at the event website http://optinationals2010.org
About Fishing Bay Yacht Club
Fishing Bay Yacht Club is a private non-profit sailing club located in Deltaville Virginia, on scenic Fishing Bay in the mouth of the Piankatank River. FBYC promotes the art of sailing through Junior, One Design, and Offshore Racing and Cruising. FBYC could not present an event of this magnitude without the support of the USODA Partners (including Name Partner Layline) its Local Hosts Deltaville Maritime Museum, Deltaville Boatyard, Jackson Creek Condos, Harbor House Community, Norton Yachts, Chesapeake Yacht Sales, and Christchurch School, along with generous contributions from numerous sponsors listed on the event website at http://optinationals2010.org, a state of the art site replete with more information about the event. For more information on FBYC, please visit www.fbyc.net
