remembering a course

when I took part in the club race I kept forgetting the cource and ended up doing 1 lap too much.( Im quite slow in my 4.7) Is there a simple way of remembering the course?

you need to keep looking out for shorten course flags too

Sounds like you are having a problem with the number of laps rather than the course itself. You should get a honk as you cross the finish line. Without knowing the finer points of the system for courses and the like used at your club it's hard to know if the following advice is of any use.
Onyhoo, for what it's worth, I do the bobsleigh pilot thing and 'think' myself round the course to plant the shape of it in my head.

Probably your best plan is to enrol on the cadets Get Ready to Race course in the Easter holidays, then you'll learn all about racing, including starting, finishing, remembering the course, going faster etc.  There is more info coming in your membership pack later this month.  You should also sign up for the beginner Laser training on 3rd April - speak to Jeffers about this one.

In the meantime, were you racing with the lasers, the handicap fleet or the cadets?  There should always be a cadet/novice start, so make sure the race officer knows you want one. 

What I do is have a piece of white sticky back plastic permanently stuck on my boat, then I use a chinagraph pencil to draw the course on, as well as write down which side the mark is to be rounded on.  Courses at Hunts can be tricky because the marks aren't fixed, and they use coloured flags not numbered marks.  The course will always be drawn up in the club house where you sign on, so copy that onto your boat.  There will be a number of laps given too, but they tend to put a stupid number then always shorten the course.

The shorten course flag looks like this:



so if you see this on the flag pole it means you should be finishing next time you go through the line.

The best way to start off with is to note of who starts when you do, then keep an eye on them during the race to get an idea of what's going on. If you fall a long way behind the race officer may shorten you a lap early, so keep an eye out for the flag.

Jeffers is your fleet captain, if you ask him nicely he may offer to buddy you through a race or at least go though the course with you before the start.  If I'm there you could ask me too, or James in the phantom.

Hope some of this helps,  Nessa


Edited by winging it

Hi Steve,

I have sent you a PM.

I hope Santa bought you lots of stuff for your boat .

Cheers,

Paul