Solo Nationals


   
I completely disagree with finishing to windward being better.
	For a nationals with lots of boats you need a decent size course to be able to make it good quality racing and not just a corner banging fest to get clear air. To do this you'l run 2 laps or 3 if you're really short on space. 2 laps minimum because you want 2 beats and 2 runs, any less and you loose the ability to recover from a bad start. If you then wanted to add a windward finish to this you then have to add either a 3rd/4th upwind which then means either the course length goes down or the target time goes up. The latter of which actually take away from the quality of the racing because you'l then give advantages to those who are at the pinnacle of fitness rather than sailing ability. 

	The other aspect of finishing to windward is the extreme difficulty of reading sail numbers. Starboard tack is fine but anything on port and you haven't got a hope in hells chance of reading them until they're past the line. You also can't foresee as easily who will be arriving first and can't pre-call the numbers meaning you're always chasing your tail and up sh*ts creek if you get a load of finishers at once (which will happen.) You're also blocked if someone tries to finish right under the nose of the committee boat. 

	The advantages of finishing on the reach are massive. Boats in single file or no more than 2 a breast, you can call the numbers before they even hit the line, you can get the line tighter which means you can actually see your video afterwards, the sail numbers are always on display and it works for target times and appropriate course lengths. You also don't need to move the CV as long as the course has been designed well, only doing a gate start would you need to move it. 

	Don't agree with finishing under S either for an event which is meant to be of any quality. You'l never know going down the run where you need to position your self. Imagine left was favoured for the next beat but you needed to set your self up for the port gate for the finish which may or may not happen. As an RO you're meant to give sailors options not lucky dips.


Edited by ClubRacer - 09 Sep 21 at 9:27pm

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ClubRacer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 26 Sep 15 Online Status: Offline Posts: 210	Post Options Post Reply Quote ClubRacer Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Solo Nationals Posted: 09 Sep 21 at 9:23pm
	I completely disagree with finishing to windward being better. For a nationals with lots of boats you need a decent size course to be able to make it good quality racing and not just a corner banging fest to get clear air. To do this you'l run 2 laps or 3 if you're really short on space. 2 laps minimum because you want 2 beats and 2 runs, any less and you loose the ability to recover from a bad start. If you then wanted to add a windward finish to this you then have to add either a 3rd/4th upwind which then means either the course length goes down or the target time goes up. The latter of which actually take away from the quality of the racing because you'l then give advantages to those who are at the pinnacle of fitness rather than sailing ability. The other aspect of finishing to windward is the extreme difficulty of reading sail numbers. Starboard tack is fine but anything on port and you haven't got a hope in hells chance of reading them until they're past the line. You also can't foresee as easily who will be arriving first and can't pre-call the numbers meaning you're always chasing your tail and up sh*ts creek if you get a load of finishers at once (which will happen.) You're also blocked if someone tries to finish right under the nose of the committee boat. The advantages of finishing on the reach are massive. Boats in single file or no more than 2 a breast, you can call the numbers before they even hit the line, you can get the line tighter which means you can actually see your video afterwards, the sail numbers are always on display and it works for target times and appropriate course lengths. You also don't need to move the CV as long as the course has been designed well, only doing a gate start would you need to move it. Don't agree with finishing under S either for an event which is meant to be of any quality. You'l never know going down the run where you need to position your self. Imagine left was favoured for the next beat but you needed to set your self up for the port gate for the finish which may or may not happen. As an RO you're meant to give sailors options not lucky dips. Edited by ClubRacer - 09 Sep 21 at 9:27pm

Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 929	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Sep 21 at 4:39pm
	I think it's horses for courses on this one and there are times when both are appropriate. Without a good reason to do otherwise a windward finish, under S (In practice not doing the run/reaches of the last lap) seems to me to be the best solution, particularly if its a beat back home - you may as well race it! I get that a leeward finish is a necessity for back to back races. I agree about the pump fest potential, if you have a judge on the water this is where they where they earn their corn.