Hey all,



Been a while since I've posted, so I thought, why not stir things up with a question.



I'm interested in hearing what your philosophy is regarding the race committees setting of a starting line. I'd especially like to hear from folks who have judged races.



Our club races every weekend of the summer, and we rotate judging positions so that everyone judges at least a couple of times. We're putting together the racing instructions for this summer, and have been discussing the inconsistencies of how starting lines are set, specifically, the length of the line.



So, please answer the following questions:



1. How do you determine the ideal length of the line?

2. Do you always try to set lines that are perfectly square, or if anything port-favored or starboard favored?

3. What would your approach be to helping a judge who you feel is setting the line incorrectly? (If it's possible to set a line incorrectly.)

4. Based on your answer to question number 1, do you err on the long side, or on the short side?

5. Are any of your answers based on rules, or just on preferences?

6. Please cover anything I haven't covered with the above questions.



Thank you for your input!

Hey T.J., how the potato crepes? I`m getting ready for Tradewinds again....Are you coming down? Speaking of starting line, this year I practiced a little. Hope to see you. Eric

Eric,



It's a shame you've never experienced the joys of lefse!



Some day I'll send you some! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be spotted at the Tradewinds this year! Ugh! Maybe I'll have to find some other race to do down there!



Tim J.

1. How do you determine the ideal length of the line?



I like to add all boat's length and set the line approximately that size.



2. Do you always try to set lines that are perfectly square, or if anything port-favored or starboard favored?



Wind shifts are unavoidable, so it is never perfectly square, whatever you do. In a championship, I place it port favored squared, or starboard favored at random, so that the competitors' skills are tested...



3. What would your approach be to helping a judge who you feel is setting the line incorrectly? (If it's possible to set a line incorrectly.)



Just have fun - any line is unfair to someone anyway.



4. Based on your answer to question number 1, do you err on the long side, or on the short side?



Err on the short side, because the boats do not line perfectly and that way there is plenty of space available.



5. Are any of your answers based on rules, or just on preferences?



Just preferences.



6. Please cover anything I haven't covered with the above questions.



Take a look at the ISAF rules and instructions in their site for more details - www.sailing.org



Best regards,

Hi 541



It's been awhile since being R C , -



-iDEALLY - set the line slightly Port favored , --this avoids a pileup on the com .boat ,

Set the A mark slightly startboard side favored ,--ideally boats that hit each layline --both directions arrive there at the same time .



-If there is current ,-or higher winds and seas a two boat length line for each boat is recommended . -



Always check for drag on com boat , you can use a GPS .

AND always check a chart for obsticals and depth ,-

once through out an anchor and mark with 150 ft line only to watch it disappear below the surface , it was more than 250 ft in Traverse Bay . -

oops -ran lots of A -C courses that day -



have fun -

Carl Roberts

1. How do you determine the ideal length of the line?



MH: I look at the number of boats and the experience level of the sailors and make a judgement. I try to make a tight line yet enough room for all of the boats. A simple rule of thumb is 1.5 * (8.5ft) * (number of boats). This is the tightest I would ever set the line. Allow extra for large committee boats and long anchor lines also.



2. Do you always try to set lines that are perfectly square, or if anything port-favored or starboard favored?



MH: I like a pretty darn square line while cheating it to a very slightly port favored line so that I can see to call people over easier.



3. What would your approach be to helping a judge who you feel is setting the line incorrectly? (If it's possible to set a line incorrectly.)



MH: Next to impossible to help a judge out. I try to make a mention of any problems in the nicest way I possibly can. It usually has no effect.



4. Based on your answer to question number 1, do you err on the long side, or on the short side?



MH: Error on the long side. You can always tighten it up on the next start.



5. Are any of your answers based on rules, or just on preferences?



I believe there is a recommendation somewhere but I can't remember right now where I read it.



6. Please cover anything I haven't covered with the above questions.



MH: As a previous poster mentioned Wind, Wave, and Current also have an effect on the amount of room needed for starting. If you have large waves you require a lot more room for the start.



If you remeber Des Moines I thought they did a real good job of setting the line up there in some tough conditions.



Mike Hill

H20 #791

So many racers are unaware of all that USSA does for them and this is a great example. USSA offers courses for race officers (not judges - judges hear protests; they have separate courses and a judging manual for them) so that they can receive training on these issues and many others to provide a standard of race management that evryone can benefit from. They produce an excellent resource, "The Race Management Handbook", to be used in the classroom but you can purchase that book from USSA separately if you want and it sounds like you should do that if you do not take the course. The answer to your question about line length is that it depends on the characteristics of the boats, the number of boats, and the conditions. My book is old and several sections are outdated but this advice is pretty good:

In medium breeze the line should be as long as the the class with the most boats (number of boats x their length). In lighter breeze it can be made shorter and in heavier breeze it should be made longer. Planing dinghies and catamarans should have longer starting lines. The intent is that all racers should be able to have an equally good chance to get a good start. Look on the USSA website for more info and be sure to join if not a member already.



Mike Fahle