Cruiser racing part 7 – race start signals 

Get the race start right and you could be on your way to winning!

The start is one of the most important aspects of a race. Get it right and you could be on your way to winning.

Starts are all about timing, flags and sound signals. Generally the process for starting a race is the same throughout the world as stated in Rule 26 of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). Any alternative start sequence will be outlined in the Sailing Instructions (SIs) for that race.

Knowing what the flags and signals mean will give you a head start.

Starting sequence

The usual starting sequence goes like this.

Time	Event	Sound Signal	Flag
5 minutes before the start	The warning signal		Class flag is raised
4 minutes before the start	The preparatory signal		Flag P is raised
1 minutes before the start	One minute warning		Flag P is lowered
0 minutes before the start	The start		Class flag is lowered

Key:

            Indicates a short sound signal

    Indicates a long sound signal

            flag ‘G’ is the class flag used by the Contessa 32 for one design racing

            flag ‘P’ is the usual preparatory signal, however flags ‘I’, ‘Z’ or a black flag
            may sometimes be used instead to indicate whether RRS 30.1, 30.2 or 30.3
                  are in use.

Class Flags

Class flags identify the type of boat you are racing. A class flag could be designated for a particular one design class or represent a group of mixed boats racing under a handicapping system such as IOR 1 or 2. Often boats are required to fly their class flag from the backstay to help identify the fleet to the committee.

A committee boat will fly the class flag to indicate which start is taking place when there are multiple class starts. In our example we are using the Contessa 32 class flag (‘G’). The sailing instructions will detail the flags to be used to identify each class and confirmation of the starting sequence. 

Starting signals

The flag ‘P’ is the normal preparatory flag flown with the class flag to indicate that the class should prepare to start their race.

Recall

At the start of a race no part of your boat should be ‘On Course Side’ (OCS) i.e over the start line. Occasionally flags ‘I’, ‘Z’ or a black flag may be flown instead of ‘P’ to indicate whether additional starting rules (RRS 30.1, 30.2 or 30.3) are in use. These flags indicate penalties for boats OCS within 1 minute of the race start.

There are two types of recall - individual and general.  An individual recalls is announced when any part of a boat is over the line (OCS) before the start signal.

Flag X is raised and a sound signal is made is indicate an individual recall and the offending boat may return to the start in order to start again but must keep clear of the other boats.

General recalls are used to re-start all the boats in that start sequence. It is used if something has gone wrong during the initial start sequence or if the race committee is unable to identify the boats that were OCS .

The First Substitute flag is raised accompanied by three sound signals to indicate a general recall. The new starting sequence will begin 1 minute after the First Substitute has been lowered.

Flags which you might see used as race signals are in the guide below.

RYA Racing Rules explained pages 227 & 228

White Sail procedures

White Sail races (without spinnakers) are often informal and sometimes with no fixed start time. Instead, yachts start anytime between a given time window and the time taken to complete the course is recorded and compared to others. This avoids crowded start lines and is less stressful for skippers, allowing them to concentrate on crossing the start line in their own time and not worrying about what the other boats are doing.

Good Luck and enjoy! Simon Jinks RYA Instructor and Examiner