Sailing Explained: Starting Sequence and Rules

[@spelunkerd]

If you ever arrive late to a race, one thing to remember is that the only single long horn is given exactly at the 1 minute mark, when the P flag is lowered (covered in rule 26). There are short single horns at 5,4, and 0. So even if you didn't see the flags, if you hear a long horn, and your class flag is flying, you have 1 minute to start. Also some yacht clubs add a 'wakeup' warning of a few short blasts at the 6 minute mark to wake everybody up.

[@hasanguven2851]

Thank you for your presentation it was very useful

[@dgillphotos]

Well done! Thank you for making this!

[@user-st4di4bf1p]

thanks i learned so much

[@jbd214i5]

In a multi-fleet day, when are you considered 'racing' and have the right to be near the line, when you are in the start sequence or sometime during the sequence?

[@ianmcclelland150]

9.1. Individual Recall When at a boat's starting signal any part of her hull, crew or equipment is on the course side of the starting line or she must comply with rule 30.1, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound. The flag shall be displayed until all such boats have sailed completely to the pre-start side of the of the starting line or one of its extensions and have complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, but no later than four minutes after the starting signal or one minute before any later starting signal, whichever is earlier. If rule 30.3 or 30.4 applies this rule does not.

[@jonwilliams3466]

"Under the U and Black flags the RC will still raise the individual recall flag." Not in my experience. Z flag - "any boat over the line in the last minute will receive 20% scoring penalty." That sounds like they do not have to go back and recross the line!

[@spelunkerd]

Yes, I was confused about the Z flag rule as well, it's not easily explained in the rules. I believe you still need to go back and completely cross the line, otherwise you're scored OCS and your finish time won't be counted at all. Once you do start and finish properly, your finish score is increased by 20%.

[@chroniclesofstuntbucket3522]

What is the difference between a rolling restart and any other restart?

[@spelunkerd]

With a rolling start in a multi class race, the start signal for the last race is also the 5 minute warning signal for the next race. So at that instant you see the last class flag drop and the new class flag rise. It will always be carefully explained in the sailing instructions.

[@oisinmcalinden6187]

Is starting a race hard?

[@dgillphotos]

It takes practice. Racing is like playing Ice Hockey - you need to be able to sail while thinking about the race and not how to sail.