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Things to do at the end of each racing day

Abstract

The topics in this chapter are in their approximate chronological order. Race Committee tasks before and after coming ashore are specified, as checking provisional results lists, collecting race observations and dismissing auxiliary vessels. The Race Officer will not necessarily perform all these duties himself, depending on the experience and reliability of his Race Committee. The duties described here are normally the direct responsibility of the Race Officer or a member of the Race Committee in direct contact with him. Finally, after a racing day, the Race Committee should discuss their own performance and possible improvement.

Contents

12.1 Race Committee tasks before coming ashore
      12.1.1 Accounting for all starters
      12.1.3 Advising essential particulars
      12.1.4 Advising full results
      12.1.5 Lifting marks
      12.1.6 Dismissing auxiliary vessels
      12.1.7 Advising auxiliary services
12.2 Race Committee tasks after coming ashore
      12.2.2 Special notices
      12.2.3 Official results
      12.2.4 Collecting race records
      12.2.5 Initiating protest sequence
12.3 Evaluation of performance

12.1 Race Committee tasks before coming ashore

12.1.1 Accounting for all starters

In association with Mark boats, Patrol boats and the Race Office, the Race Officer satisfies himself that all competitors and RC boats are accounted for. Especially in difficult conditions the "all clear" is not given until all competitors and RC boats are ashore, on moorings or at least in sheltered water. (see chapter 10.1)

12.1.3 Advising essential particulars

Some reporting needs to be done without delay.

1. If measurement checks are done ashore rather than on the water right after finishing, the Measurer will want to know when the boards he must check will be in. Often it will be determined beforehand that whichever board finishes 1, 3 and 5 (or any other place) will have to undergo checks.
2. The Race Office must know the time of the last competitor to finish in order to calculate the beginning and end of Protest Time.
3. The Chairman of the Protest Committee will appreciate some indication of the number of protest flags seen by the Race Committee. He can then decide at what time the first hearing should start, and begin to inform the members of his committee.

12.1.4 Advising full results

Every attempt should be made to transmit the finishing order to the Race Office as soon as possible. It will be greatly appreciated by competitors and coaches alike when a provisional finishing order, even if simply handwritten, is posted on the Notice Board when they return ashore.

If the finishing list to be transmitted is long, it is sensible to have short radio breaks after every five or ten sail numbers, to ensure that others can interrupt in case of an emergency. If there is time, ask the Race Office to read back the numbers they have taken down (see also Section B, Chapter 11.4).

While returning to shore, the opportunity should be taken to check the lists for any discrepancies, such as duplicated numbers or back-up lists showing a different finishing order. In the meantime back on shore, the Results team may well have calculated provisional results. If the Race Officer and his on-board Recorder are satisfied that the lists are correct, it simply remains to ensure that they correspond with the provisional results waiting ashore.

12.1.5 Lifting marks

Usually the Course Setter will want to pick up the marks himself, to be pre-pared for the next racing day. If, for expediency, several boats are lifting marks, instructions should be given as to where the marks should be assembled so that the Course Setter can immediately collect them to avoid having to search for them the next day.

12.1.6 Dismissing auxiliary vessels

Some vessels may already have reported that they are leaving the course area. It is very important, especially in open sea or fresh conditions, that there be a sufficient coverage of the returning fleet and the Race Officer may have to give some instructions to achieve this. However, when the time comes to dismiss the auxiliary vessels, it should be done positively. They should be thanked for their services to the regatta and, when appropriate, reminded of the rendezvous time for the next race.

12.1.7 Advising auxiliary services

When Coast Guard, Harbour Board, Life Boat or such services have been on standby, it is common courtesy to sign them off with an expression of appreciation.

12.2 Race Committee tasks after coming ashore

12.2.2 Special notices

The result sheet will be the official source of information and, in terms of the rules, is all that is required. However, it may well be regarded as a desirable courtesy to inform any OCS boards or other disqualified competitors through separate notices on the Official Notice Board, giving them ample time to consider their rights to request redress.

12.2.3 Official results

Any results posted prior to the closing of Protest Time will be "provisional". If no protests are lodged within the stated time, the results will be "confirmed". Of course, there are still circumstances under which these can be upset in terms of RRS 61.3, 64 and 66.

Details on how to deal with protests can be found in RRS Part 5 (Protests, Hearings, Misconduct and Appeals), RRS Appendix L I (Recommendations for Protest Committees) and RRS Appendix M (International Juries), Section A, Chapter 2.4 and Appendix 2A of this Manual, and in the ISAF Judges Manual.

Often the media will be waiting for the provisional results for their news items. The Publicity Officer should make sure that they are supplied with results and any other information, stressing, however, their "provisional" nature.

For more details on scoring, see Appendix 12A of this Manual and RRS A (Scoring).

12.2.4 Collecting race records

The Race Officer will want to have available to him any race observations that have been recorded: mark roundings, audiotapes of starts and finishes, other observations which have been logged on auxiliary vessels such as 360? or 720? penalty turns observed, and any misdemeanors such as contact between boats which might call for action under RRS 14. It is good practice for all auxiliary vessels to log all observations during each race. All records should be kept in the Race Office, as they may be required by the Race Officer or the Protest Committee after the race.

12.2.5 Initiating protest sequence

The procedure stated in the Sailing Instructions regarding the expiry of protest time will have been initiated by the Race Office before the Race Committee comes ashore. As the person responsible for "his" course, however, the Race Officer will want to check that these tasks have all been dealt with.

12.3 Evaluation of performance

The answers to the question "How well did we do?" may come from the Race Committee itself or from the competitors. Both the Regatta Organizing Committee and the Race Committee(s) should discuss their own performance and how it might be improved.

The opinions of the competitors are well worth considering, keeping in mind, however, that those who have done well will almost certainly think that the organization was good, whereas those who are disappointed in their performance will only be too ready to find fault elsewhere, and the Race Committee is the likely target.

However, the conscientious Race Officer should appreciate that no matter how experienced he may be, his performance will often be capable of some improvement and a skipper with a lot of regatta experience behind him may well have some useful comments to make.