Racing Rules: What is the definition of Starting Area

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What is the definition of Starting Area

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Racing Rules
Forum Discription: Discuss the rules and your interpretations here
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13896
Printed Date: 24 Jun 25 at 10:16pm
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Topic: What is the definition of Starting Area

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Subject: What is the definition of Starting Area
Date Posted: 06 Feb 22 at 10:46pm

For the purposes of rule 5?

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Replies:

Posted By: GML
Date Posted: 07 Feb 22 at 10:25am

I assume you mean rule A5 rather than rule 5.

See RYA Case 2010/3 summarised as: "When the starting area is not stated in the sailing instructions, it will normally be the area where boats in good time for their start will sail between their preparatory signal and starting signal."

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 07 Feb 22 at 10:30am

You mean appendix A 5.3?

I don't believe there is a definition, and I'm not sure one would be useful.

Its going to be different for every situation. I came to the conclusion that for the purposes of our club racing anywhere on the reservoir counted, so a boat that launched intending to race, and then capsized and retired 25 yards off the jetty still got a DNS rather than DNC. If a club is starting races two miles offshore then I think their requirements would be different. Convenience for scoring purposes might be a significant consideration for some clubs!

When in doubt though the RYA rule of thumb in the above post seems reasonable.

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 07 Feb 22 at 10:36am

Thanks GML, I did mean A5 and that is pretty much what I had assumed.

Thanks Jim, you describe my situation yesterday exactly. I certainly launched with a clear intention to race but, as it's an open series maybe RYA Case 2010/3 is the correct answer. I certainly feel that it would be a bit cheeky to ask for a DNF under the circumstances but I will ask the club how they define it.

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: The Q
Date Posted: 07 Feb 22 at 2:00pm

Almost every race has it's own area. some are official some are unofficial.

for instance the 3 Rivers Race, all boat not in the next start cannot enter the Starting Zone until their 5 minutes before their start. the Zone is marked by a buoy 100 yards or so up river from the start line.

for the rest of the river races

Our club is on a 90 degree bend of the river, the unoffical rule is you don't enter the area between the start line and the river bank where it has turned the 90.. But it's not written down anywhere, and if you don't get in anyone's way no one will shout at you..

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Still sailing in circles