This information is not current.
Due to our races now being under control of LLSC, race committee is now handled by
LLSC. If you wish to volunteer for any Race Committee duties, please contact Ted
McGee at c22sail@mindspring.com or
770.887.8373
Skipper Signup Form
Sign up for Race Committee
Submit Race Results
Fleet 58 gives each of us the opportunity to serve as committee
boat, but what does that mean and how is it done? Some of the questions are answered in
the Yacht Racing Rules.
Fleet 58 is the organizing authority, and shall appoint a race committee. This race
committee shall publish sailing instructions and conduct the race, subject to such
direction as the organizing authority may exercise. The term race committee whenever it is
used shall include any person or committee that is responsible for performing any of the
duties of the race committee.
Fleet 58 publishes the notice of race and general sailing instructions so that each
committee boat does not have this responsibility. Within this framework it is the
responsibility of the committee boat to conduct and judge the race.
Make decisions on the items not covered in the general notice of race and sailing
instructions. Most race committees decide on the course first. If the course requires
marks in addition to the permanent marks they must be set before the skipper's meeting.
The race should be 60 to 90 minutes long. This can be a challenge with the changing winds
on Lake Lanier. If possible the course should be designated with the ability to shorten
the course if the winds die.
Give some thought to the course so you do not put fleet members at risk. The customary and
safest start is upwind. Boats usually separate some so that everyone does not get to the
first mark at the same time. Marks are usually rounded to port so that the boats rounding
the mark have the right of way. The makes for safer mark rounding. Courses should be
designated so that a boat does not cross its own wake when rounding a mark, again for
safety.
The race committee registers yachts at the skipper's meeting. The Fleet Captain will
supply the equipment necessary to conduct the race which should include all necessary
flags, whiteboard and markers, horn, race committee handbook, and registration forms.
Prior to the start sequence, the course is prepared on the whiteboard. A signal horn blast
with the come within hail flag (black/yellow checkered) is displayed to all competitors in
addition to the course. Proper time for all competitors to record the course is given. A
single horn blast, takedown of the come within hail flag, and takedown of the course
follows then follows. Fleet 58 uses Starting System 2 with sound and visual signals. Once
the course has been communicated, the warning signal is a yellow flag and one sound 10
minutes before the start. 6 minutes before the start the yellow flag is dropped quickly.
The preparatory signal is a blue flag and one sound 5 minutes before the start. One minute
before the start the blue flag is dropped quickly. The start signal is a red flag an one
sound. The race committee is responsible to signal if any yacht is over the starting line
before the starting signal. The committee boat hails any yacht over the line early or
signals a general recall with three blasts of the horn. When any part of a yacht's hull,
crew, or equipment is on the course side of the starting line or its extensions at her
starting signal, the yacht is recalled and must return to the pre-start side of the
starting line. In the event there are separate starts for Gold & Silver Fleets, the
Gold Fleet will start first and the Silver Fleet will start five minutes later. The Gold
fleet preparatory signal will be the warning signal for the Silver Fleet.
The committee boat can postpone or abandon a race if in its best judgment it would be
unwise to continue the race for any reason.
The committee boat records the finishing time and position as each yacht crosses the
finish line. A yacht finishes when any part of her hull, crew, or equipment in normal
position crosses the finishing line in the direction of the course from the last mark
either for the first time or, if she takes a penalty, after complying with rule 31.2 or
rule 44.2. If one boat crosses the finish line before the time limit had expired, that
boat will make the race valid for all other boats participating. All other boats not
finishing within the time limit will have their fleet and overall finish determined by
their position on the lake.
The committee boat has a responsibility to its fellow sailors to conduct the best and
safest race that they are capable of. This requires a little knowledge, a little
effort, and a lot of desire. Let's all try to conduct a race in which we would like to
sail.
Overview of Major Responsibilities
A. On Land
1. Arrive at the lake early enough to get the race equipment and register the boats before
the race. If enough boats justify two starts, this should also be communicated to the
skipper prior to arriving on the water.
2. Check the wind so that you have a general course in mind and can tell the skippers
where the committee boat will be. If there are temporary marks to be set be sure you
have them.
3. Discuss the procedures for lengthening / shortening the race.
4. Ensure that all skippers have on board a copy of the Marine Event Permit or Exemption
we receive from the DNR.
5. If you have questions or do not understand what you should do ask one of the Fleet
Officers.
B. On The Water
1. Set the course. A windward start is always preferable. The length of the course and
number of legs should depend on wind condition, such as, light wind short course, strong
wind longer course. The race should take 60 to 90 minutes with a time limit of three
hours. Keep this in mind when setting the course. Set the course in such a way that it can
be easily lengthened or shortened if conditions dictate. You will need to also set the
orange flag in a conspicuous location on the committee boat. Between this flag and the pin
end of the line will dictate the exact line. When starting the fleet, you will need to
sight down the line to determine any boats over early.
2. Write the course on the whiteboard provided with the race equipment and display it so
that the skippers may sail by and see it. Then display the come within hail flag to notify
skippers that the course has been set. Allow enough time for everyone to get the course.
3. Start the race.
Minutes to Start
(Gold):
Action Needed
11 - Sound an attention horn
10 - Raise the Yellow Flag - Sound the 10 minute signal
6 - Lower the Yellow Flag
5 - Raise the Blue Flag - Sound the 5 minute signal
1 - Lower the Blue Flag
0 - Raise the Red Flag - Sound the start signal
If the silver fleet is to have a separate start, take the red flag down after 4 minutes.
Then after 5 minutes from the time the Gold Fleet start signal (1 minute later) raise the
red flag and signal with the horn to indicate the start of the silver fleet.
4. After the start, hail all boats that were over the start line early, to return and
restart.
5. Record the exact starting / finishing times on the race form. (use the bows for both
starting and finishing)
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