How to run Race Control
Yes please!…. we’d love you be a volunteer at race control.
Here’s a brief rundown on what’s involved. Seems a bit daunting at first but with a bit of practice, it becomes clear. Most of the countdown process is automated. You need to understand the flags and how to record the scores. A separate blog will be posted soon on how to use the computer program to easily record the scores.
This post is also available as a pdf file
Below is an example of our 12:30 race starts on Sundays. There is also a quick video below on flag usage in a race.
When you get to race control, the first job is to gather the flags for the flagpole. You’ll also need the On Course Side (OCS) flags on poles stored overhead in Race Control.
The windicator/sock is the first to go up on the middle line (use the 2nd loop down)
Next the red and white ‘AP’ flag goes up to indicate there’s racing on the day
There is an automated electronic starting sequence which we will brief you on when you are there
You will also be communicating with the safety boats via radio during the day.
The race starts at 12:30. There is a 10 minute warning horn prior to the 5 minute countdown, therefore your job really gets going at 12:15.
Blue Peter Flag
12:15 - Horn + AP flag comes down. This is a 10 minute warning prior to countdown.
12:25 - Horn + Division flags go up (C&D) This is the 5 minute warning.
12:26 - Horn + Blue Peter goes up. This is the 4 minute warning.
12:29 - Horn + Blue Peter comes down. This is the 1 minute warning.
12:30 - Horn + Division flags (C&D) come down at the same time as Division Flags (A,B,T) go up.
This is the start of the race for Division (C&D) and the 5 minute warning for Divisions (A,B,T)12:31 - Horn + Blue Peter up. This is the 4 minute warning.
12:34 - Horn + Blue Peter Down. This is the 1 minute warning.
12:35 - Horn _ Division flags (A,B,T) down.
This is the start of the race for these Divisions.
Recall.
This rarely happens at our club meets:
If a boat is ‘on course side’ (OCS) (over the line early), then you will have to call them back… RECALL
If 3 or more boats are over early, then sound the horn twice and wave the triangle flag with Blue and yellow (marked General Recall)
If 1 or 2 boats are over early, then you sound the horn once and wave the triangle flag with a blue cross on white (individual reacall flag), and point it at the offending boat(s). (they will know who they are..)