At the McIntyre team race the other weekend, I noticed a few competitors
were not clear on the rules, strategies and tactics that work at mark 1 of a
digital N course (the windward mark with a starboard rounding). I have been
given permission by Steve Tylecote to publish some excellent explanations
for mark 1. The starboard rounding windward mark can be tricky if one is not
familiar with it (and early in the spring season, some are a little rusty
with the rules). I encourage people to review the below documents (courtesy
Mr. Tylecote) to provide insight on this mark (as well as TR Calls E2-E6 and
E9).
http://homepage.mac.com/sailing/tylecote7.2.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/sailing/tylecote7.13.jpg
Thanks, bry
Chief umpire at the mcintyre
P.s. For you umpire buffs, here are some tips I gave to the McIntyre umpire
team:
Many racers were not taking advantage of the umpiring system at the event on
the first day (when it was windy). I believe it¹s in both the protestor or
protestee¹s best interested to clearly repeat the hail of umpire if no
action has transpired. I¹m not 100% clear why people were not taking
advantage of the umpires. Maybe:
1. it was windy (harder to hear what competitors are saying (both in the
build up to an incident and and in the actual hails of protest and umpire))
2. I think many were simply were not close enough for some of the calls
(this is easy to fix...get closer)
3. I think some thought not getting the umpires involved can work in their
favor. I think the top levels of team racing don¹t believe this. As a judge
and umpire, I believe the most accurate decisions can be make right after
you see the incident. Even if it¹s a wrong¹ decision, the race is still on
the water and one can still team race to a victory.
When going on the first beat, I think it¹s hard to get too close to the
action since we are to leeward of the boats. No need to tail your boat super
close if there is nobody around, but if there is someone close by, please be
close enough to hear the dialog between the sailors in the build up to an
incident (if you can¹t hear what sailors are saying, you are probably too
far away). Important, the umpire following the lead boats should try to beat
the boats to the windward mark so as to relieve congestion (this was taught
to me by Chris Atkins from the UK, Chump for many team racing world
championships).
On the offwind legs, one needs to be careful of a boat gybing to starboard
right after the mark and luffing hard (to get clear air or take someone out)
or gybing to port and trying to protect the left on the downwind leg. Also
be careful of your windshadow (i.e. Try to not blanket someone going ddw). I
find staying to the left on the downwind leg allows me to see the action and
build up towards the leeward mark (plus people are not quite as apt to
explode to the left as they are to the right).
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