The start
STARTING RACESRaces shall be started by using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
| Signal | Flag & Sound | Minutes before the start signal |
| Warning | Class Flag; 1 Sound | 5* |
| Prepararatory | P,I,Z,Z with I or black flag; 1 sound | 4 |
| One-minute | Preparitory (P flag) flag removed; 1 long sound | 1 |
| Starting | Class Flag removed; 1 sound | 0 |
The warning signal for each succeeding class shall be made with or after the starting signal of the preceding class.
29.2 Individual Recall
When at a boat's starting signal she must comply with rule 29.1 or 30.1, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound. The flag shall be displayed until all such boats are completely on the pre-start side of the starting line or its extensions and have complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, but not later than four minutes after the starting signal or one minute before any later starting signal, whichever is earlier.
I would like to draw member’s attention to the rules during this period of the race. All boats intending to race, having signed on, must be afloat before the preparatory signal. After the preparatory signal the rules of racing apply.
Boats are allowed to be on the course side of the starting line up to the starting signal, but you must get completely back behind the line before the starting signal. If you break a rule of part 2 ( when boats meet ) , or, if you hit a starting mark you should get well clear of other boats and complete a 360 degree penalty.
The following rule is during the preparatory period only. It does not apply during the rest of the race .Before the starting signal, which may be approaching the line to start or not, a leeward boat that has any overlap on another on the same tack, can luff up(even head to wind ) as long as they give the other boat room to keep clear.
This means you cannot luff violently without any warning. It is usual to hail the other boat. Up, up, up **!!!*** is the normal phrase.Beware if you try to squeeze between another boat and a mark, and that boat is able to luff as above, you will end up hitting one of them.
At the moment of the start signal, and after, if you have established an overlap from clear astern, you may not sail higher than close hauled.At the start and subsequently, if you hit another boat or a starting mark but otherwise pass the line correctly, you may exonerate yourself by keeping clear of other boats and doing you penalty turn as soon as possible.Enjoy the coming season everyone, and please give boats room to keep clear even if you are “in the right” you must avoid a collision .There will be a short briefing before the start of the first race. Please feel free to email me with any queries about the rules or any other aspect of the seasons racing.
