Race Course Geometry and Setting a Course
The following letters and symbols are used to the RC to designate race courses:
D = A triangular course
W = windward leg
L = Leeward leg
LG = Leeward Gate
2, 3 = used to signal how many times the course or a component of the course should be repeated.
The symbols are painted on both red and green backgrounds to indicate whether the marks should be passed by the competitors to port or starboard, respectively.
The following figures show the different courses that are used. When there is good wind a "2" would typically be used with the triangle or the windward-leeward course to designate that the race course should be repeated twice before finishing.
Variations of these courses include:
1. using a gate (two marks) in place of the leeward mark for a WLW course,
2. Placing a "W" after a D to indicate that the finish line will be moved further upwind than the starting line location. This is often done for the last race of the day, especially if a lengthening of the final windward leg would bring the participating boats back toward the club.
Which course should be used?
This is generally left up to the discretion of the PRO for the day. The objective is to have each race last approximately 45 minutes. So, in part, the shape and length of the course depends on how much wind is available and the wind direction. For example with a westerly breeze across the reservoir more laps may be needed due to the short upwind legs with the wind from this direction.
Please note that during holiday series, our racing rules require that only triangular courses be used due to the large number of boats sailing.
Setting the course
The PRO should position the RC boat so that it
will be positioned approximately 1/3 of the distance from the leeward mark
towards the windward mark. This will enable the RC boat to remain in a
fixed location while still providing a long enough first beat and a short final
beat to the finish line.
When anchoring the RC boat make sure you have plenty of scope in the anchor line. However, leave some line on the boat side of the cleat so that you can adjust the angle of the starting line if need need be. Once the RC boat has anchored the PRO assesses the wind direction and magnitude and then uses the radio to instruct the support boats where the marks and the starting pin should be placed. When the course is set the RC boat should raise the RC flag. The RC should then indicate the course by placing the appropriate placards on each side of the RC boat.