UGA Sailing: Racing Flags

University of Georgia Sailing Chalk Talk 11: Racing Flags
Welcome to our new video series! Our growth has been exponential and in efforts to reach as many people as possible on our race team, we've moved to virtual chalk talks. Enjoy!
Note: This video covers 5 minute starting sequences... to apply flags to 3 minute sequences, the process is as follows:
Class flag @ 3 minutes
Preparatory flag @ 2 minutes
Preparatory flag DOWN @ 1 minute
Class flag DOWN @ Go
Regattas in the collegiate circuit use 3 minute starts without class flags or preparatory flags, but the orange flag, X flag, first substitute, and AP flag are very common and should be in your repertoire if you're a collegiate sailor.
Allison Chenard, Race Team Captain
US Sailing Level III Coach

[@katejonson8206]

I don't know if yall are still active on this youtube channel but I am watching this an hour before my first ever regatta (which i had only a day of race training for 😬) and you guys have just probably saved my life

[@ugasailing9571]

Hi Kate! Allison here- I graduated spring of 2020 but I still pop on and answer questions / respond to comments every now and then. So glad to hear it was helpful!! It brings me joy seeing the videos continue to serve a purpose long after they were created :) -Allison

[@theplinkerslodge6361]

I think this video is good practical training because it shows a bit of the chaos of how flags actually are sequenced from an RC boat. Other vids show these perfect simulations where in real life you are trying to make out the flags blowing in the wind and with a confusing background behind them, making them hard to see. They don't always fly straight out conveniently for you to see them. Your boat is bouncing/spinning around as the RC boat bounces around.

[@petermcfarlane529]

Might be worth mentioning that the rules of racing begin with the raising of the Preparatory flag. (The rules of sailing still apply beforehand, but breaches do not result in a protest/penalty.)

[@ugasailing9571]

Yes very good note! No penalties until the P flag is raised. You're spot on. -Allison

[@theplinkerslodge6361]

Great elucidation, very important.

[@johnandlouise1]

Fun with Flags! Nice video guys.

[@ugasailing9571]

Thanks, John! -Allison

[@chroniclesofstuntbucket3522]

One minor correction at around 1:25 - from the prep flag going up to it coming down is 3 minutes, not 2 minutes. Sharing this with some new racers...

[@saryabaran3787]

Thanks all ot for this video it helped me allout

[@ugasailing9571]

Thanks for your comment, Saran! We're so happy you found it helpful! -Allison

[@lancemcleroy1329]

Any chance you all have the UGA Sailing Burgee available for sale?

[@ugasailing9571]

Reach out to us on social media! @ugasailing

[@ketch_up]

What about black flag?

[@theplinkerslodge6361]

Well, I think you are talking about Rule 30.1, .2, .3, .4 "IZUB" Flags 30 STARTING PENALTIES 30.1 I Flag Rule If flag I has been displayed, and any part of a boat’s hull is on the course side of the starting line or one of its extensions during the last minute before her starting signal, she shall sail across an extension so that her hull is completely on the pre-start side before she starts. 30.2 Z Flag Rule If flag Z has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall receive, without a hearing, a 20% Scoring Penalty calculated as stated in rule 44.3(c). She shall be penalized even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If she is similarly identified during a subsequent attempt to start the same race, she shall receive an additional 20% Scoring Penalty. 30.3 U Flag Rule If flag U has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, but not if the race is restarted or resailed. 30.4 Black Flag Rule If a black flag has been displayed, no part of a boat’s hull shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, even if the race is restarted or resailed, but not if it is postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. If a general recall is signalled or the race is abandoned after the starting signal, the race committee shall display her sail number before the next warning signal for that race, and if the race is restarted or resailed she shall not sail in it. If she does so, her disqualification shall not be excluded in calculating her series score.

[@ardatasdelen7672]

I gres you did some mistakes they don't have to use the p code actuely in my country we never use p code ve use U code or black flag so your video is a bit wrong

[@theplinkerslodge6361]

Not so, not so. The video explains the basic start. You are venturing into the optional start penalties. Read your rules. The IZUB flags are used in ADDITION to what this video shows, not as a subsitute. Your club may do things a little wonky, but it sounds non-standard.

[@nurhakim67]

You need to slow down with your explanation for the flags...why rush if you want to educate?

[@ugasailing9571]

Thankfully it's a recorded video and people can watch as many times as they like and pause as well :)

[@theplinkerslodge6361]

You do know you can slow this down, right? And, believe it or not, you can rewind and watch/listen again. We're living in good times.

[@blagger42]

Would be better if you actually acted professionally

[@greysonemory4724]

Alec Whitehouse that was neither constructive nor necessary. this is an educational video that speaks to the importance of each flag and their symbolic meaning, but that doesn’t mean those in the video can’t also have fun in doing so. if you don’t appreciate the lighthearted content, then it may be best for you to search for more serious videos elsewhere...

[@theplinkerslodge6361]

Lighten up, Francis.