Some suggestions if you are scheduled to run more than multiple races at Starcross YC.

First of all when setting the course for the first race - consider what changes you will make to the course for subsequent races to keep it interesting for the competitors. It is relatively easy to adjust the amount of running / broad reaching /and close reaching by simply changing a single buoy on the course board or physically moving the inflatable buoys. The competitors will appreciate the change of scenery.

Organise a briefing for competitors before the first race. Explain the following:

• you will try to turn around the races quickly - the aim will be that the warning signal for the second race will be made within 5 minutes of the last boat finishing the first race. If this is not possible a postponement will be signalled - the postponement will be cancelled no less than 3 minutes before the warning signal for the first start.
  
  
• you will likely change the course between races - remind them to watch for Flag C and a sound signal
  
  

FIRST RACE - run this as usual - selecting the relevant race on the raceManager racebox PROGRAMME page. Do not let this race overrun - be ready to shorten course for all boats to be finished with elapsed times of 45-55 minutes. While the final few boats are finishing - ask the safety boats to adjust the course for the second race.

Once all the boats have finished, SAVE the results (on the results page) even if there are still some issues to resolve. Take note of any outstanding issues - but leave fixing them until all the races are complete. Do NOT close the race at this stage.

SECOND RACE - go back to the PROGRAMME page (click the green text on the left hand side of the top navigation bar) and select the second race and run it as normal. To restart the lights box turn the power off for 30 seconds and then power on. You can now start the race as usual. Once all the boats have finished this race, SAVE the results but do NOT close the race

Now return to the racebox PROGRAMME page and select the first race again. Resolve any outstanding issues with the results for this race and SAVE your changes and print the race results. You can now CLOSE this race. Repeat the same process for the second race.

The Sailing Committee has recommended courses for each of the cardinal wind directions. The courses also include options for light winds and low tide conditions. Each course is shown as it should be displayed on the course board and includes tips on how to position the inflatable buoys.

The courses can be viewed by selecting the CourseFinder option on the Status Page

An online copy of the buoy locations can be found here

The recommended approach for using raceManager to record lap and finish times is to use the BUNCH function on the timer page - ESPECIALLY if the race has more than 20 boats.

With this approach - one person spots approaching boats when they are about 200m from the line - calling the class and sailnumber out. The other person - running raceManager - clicks the blue button (with a pin icon) for each boat spotted and they will then appear in a list on the right hand side of the screen.

You can now use this bunch list to easily and quickly record them as they cross the line - avoiding the panic of finding them in the few seconds as they cross the line.

The bunch list has up/down arrows so that you can adjust the likely order that the boats will cross the line to make it even easier. You can also remove boats from the bunch list using the red delete icon.