This article by Kim Couranz first appeared in the July SpinSheet, but we think it's a must read helpful reminder for racing sailors in all seasons.
Aah, summer. Time to grab some lemonade as you relax in a hammock, enjoying some light reading. It’s also time to focus as you peruse some critical regatta documents: Notices of Race and Sailing Instructions.
Each of these documents includes information that can help you succeed at your next regatta and give you a leg up on your competition. Appendix J in the Racing Rules of Sailing describes information that Notices of Race (NOR) and Sailing Instructions (SI) must include as well as additional information.
NORs are generally published, usually on event or yacht club websites, at least a month before the regatta—or even longer for bigger championships. First and foremost, information in NOR can help potential competitors decide if they will attend the regatta, as they include when and where the regatta will be held.
It may seem obvious, but it’s critical to review the schedule stated in the NOR and make sure it works for you. For example, is racing on Saturday and Sunday, but measurement is only on Friday? Can you make it there after work in time, or do you need to take the day off to travel there in plenty of time to take care of measurement?
How to enter a regatta is also included in the NOR, including the all-important “register by this date to avoid paying a late fee” information. On behalf of regatta chairs everywhere, please just go ahead and register by this date. You’ll save some cash. You’ll make things easier for the regatta chair, who must commit early for things such as numbers of meals and T-shirts to order, so be courteous.
NORs also include information on eligibility for entry; read this section to avoid last-minute hassles. Some regattas require skippers and sometimes crews to be class association members; others set limits on whether “professionals” can participate. Making sure you and your team meet eligibility requirements beforehand can save headaches.
Other NOR details can help you plan. Often, the number of races the organizers intend to run is noted; this can help you plan what to pack for your food needs (for example, six races over the course of the weekend may mean you bring four nutritional bars, two gels, and three water bottles to use each day). Larger regattas may detail social events—take a peek to make sure you’re packing appropriate clothes in case one of the evening activities is more formal than the others.
SIs, sometimes available online in advance, but more commonly handed out in hard copy at the event, provide yet another level of detail. Read them thoroughly; you don’t want to be the boat sailing around before the start asking your fellow competitors “what does that flag mean?” or “what course are we sailing?”
Once you obtain the SIs, find a quiet spot and set aside some time to read them properly so you know key information:
- What is the schedule for racing? When is the first start each day, and how many races will the race committee attempt to run? Working backwards from the first start, you can figure out when you need to leave the dock. Is there a competitors’ meeting the first day or at any other point during the regatta?
- What is the scoring system? Is it standard Low Point System? How many races must be completed for it to be considered a regatta, and are there any drop races after a certain number of races?
- What courses can the race committee run, and how will those courses be signaled? Will offsets at the weather mark and leeward gates be used? Are there any special procedures for shortening or changing a course once a race has started?
- What do the marks look like? Be sure to know the difference between the primary marks, change marks, and start and finish marks.
- Starting sequence: is it the standard five-minute sequence or something different? Will the race committee use I flag, black flag, Z flag, or other options?
- Safety items: Do you need to check in with the race committee on the water before the start of the first race? Or before each race? Are you required to wear a PFD at all times? Do you need to check out and in when you leave shore?
- If coach boats are allowed, SIs will usually include information on when and where they are allowed to interact with boats they are coaching. Be sure your coach knows this information; if they don’t follow the rules, your regatta score could be negatively affected!
- Numbers-related details: Time limits—including for first boat to finish, and for any other boats to finish after then.
- Information on the protest process is also included in the SIs. Get a general awareness of the process before you head out on the water, but remember, it’s always easier to do a 720 than to do paperwork!
Be sure to read through the SIs before the competitors’ meeting; if there are any topics that need clarification (e.g., discrepancy between words and illustrations regarding courses), ask about them at the meeting. Armed with this information, you’re ready for the fun part—now get out on the water!
