Start of the 'slow' handicap fleet primarily comprising Lasers and Solos.

I was mid-line and, as far as I was concerned, by my transits 100% behind the line.

I got what I felt was a perfect start, only to hear a 2nd sound signal and looking over my shoulder seeing the individual recall flag... As I looked over my shoulder I had a clear view of the committee boat mast which suggested no boat at the committee boat end was further over than me... similarly at the start signal I had a clear sighting of the pin end suggesting that no boat that end was further over the line than me. The simple deduction would be that it was me over the line.

I however was adamant at the time that I wasn't over the line and decided to sail on (and risk the OCS). By the time I reached the 2nd mark, (in 2nd place) the nagging doubts had overcome me so I

decided to 'retire', and sailed off in the opposite direction to the rest of the fleet, only then to about turn and rejoin the back of the race after giving up about 5 minutes. I continued sail round the course without interfering with any other boat just for the fun of it, retaking the majority of the fleet again.

As I crossed the finish line, I acknowledged the individual recall (which I had disregarded) expecting to be scored OCS... Only to be told that I wasn't.  They were signalling a Laser 2000 who happened to be OCS... 2 minutes after their start signal, having capsized upwind on their way out to start and whilst approaching the line to make a valid start.

Begs the question; If I had heeded the signal and returned from my 'perfect' start what redress would I have expected (or received) if any?

As it was, I took myself out of contention for the lead, and eventually credited 6th after handicaps were calculated.

 

So all recall signals from previous divisions should be done finish by your one-minute signal.

I don't see how the OCS boat being in the triangle is relevant

 

Yes Jim, you got that right. The start for the Laser 2000 was 2 minutes previously and my opinion is that the flag and signal should not have been made on our start. Had I interpreted it as myself over the line (since it couldn't have been anyone else in my fleet) and 'returned' then subsequently learnt the truth, then I'd certainly have asked for redress, as you say whether I'd have received it would have been another matter.

 

I also agree that I should have sailed the race regardless and had the courage of my conviction.

 

 

I'm inclined to agree with that.

The whole point of redress should be to put the competitors back to a position they would have been in had the mistake not happened. How that is achieved can sometimes be a very arbitrary process.

 

On speaking to the RO at the finish, it appears that the erraneous individual recall was a spontaneous reaction when they spotted the L2000 course side of the startline before they had time to realise that the boat was not part of that start.

I was obviously confused and perplexed by the signal given that my position suggested that I was the closest boat in my fleet to the startline, I was convinced I was not OCS but the signal suggested otherwise... it made it difficult to sail on with a clear head.

Ironically after 'retiring' mid race and then resuming, I had a fabulous sail in the best conditions we had this year. It was a shame that my recorded 6th place didn't accurately reflect my performance.

It was an honest mistake by the RO (which he acknowledged), who do it on a voluntary basis. I saw no point in persuing the matter, especially since no mechanism could exist to recover the 5 minutes that I forfeited midrace.

 

Moral of the story; return promptly if you think you're OCS, otherwise race on regardless.