• We are working to assemble a library of short videos relating to the various aspects of Star sailing, for example, rigging, tuning, sail trim, equipment needs, crew and skipper roles, and more. We actively solicit ideas for these that would be considered relevant to helping build a sailor’s confidence to sail a Star, and for those who ARE sailing a Star to improve.
• These short videos (infomercials?) will be made available on the Star Class website for you and any interested parties to view as your own time allows.
• Concurrently, we are assembling a roster of virtual seminar leaders that will make themselves available for web-based meetings. These will enable participants to dive into the details of any of the subjects covered by the above videos. Different subjects have different depths, the meetings will be arranged to cover them to the degree desired. If more than one session is warranted, this too will be made available.
• The logistics of the meetings will be dependent on number of participants and the platform being used. Often for large meetings a chat box is monitored to bring questions and comments to the attention of the presenter. For smaller meetings voice communication is usually easily enabled.
• A segment will be devoted to recovery protocols from the current pandemic as put forth by the various sailing authorities (e.g. USSailing, etc.)
• We welcome questions and ideas for improvement. Hopefully we can provide useful support for your fleet-building success!

SOUND SIGNALS

Hello Star Sailors! This is the first of what I hope to be a recurring contribution from the Regatta Management Central to help communicate some of the tricks and techniques that have been met with success at various race venues around the world. All ideas are welcome, and we are always on the lookout for better ways to make Star sailing safer, fairer, and more fun.

With the pandemic a constant threat, and traveling to distant and major events has been extremely disrupted.  Thus there is a good deal of focus on smaller, more localized racing. In order to go racing, the Race Management team needs to have confidence in their abilities to execute their various jobs, and often to do so with a lot fewer hands available.

Since races start with a starting sequence, much thought and experimentation has been taking place using sound signal starting systems. In the US, we have an Appendix U MNA prescription to the RRS that defines a three-minute sound system. It is used extensively for scholastic and team racing, where the fleets are small, and verbal communication is often easy and effective.

Essential bits:

·        Race signals may be hailed. Can use the flag, but not the sound that go with them. Gets confusing with too much noise.

·        An attention signal can be made at any time prior to the warning.  One variation on this, designed to keep the 5-miinute sequences that we’re all used to is to raise the line (orange) flag with an attention signal, then a Starting Protocol flag (corresponds to the Preparatory flag in a RRS 26 start, or P, I, Z, U, or Black) at 5 minutes before the start.  This flag lets the fleet know 1) that the warning will be in 2 minutes, and 2) what starting penalties are in effect. This will stay up at least until the starting signal is made. This also allows the Signal Boat flag waver to concentrate on other duties, as there are no further flags to wave.

·        At 3 minutes to the Start, the signals for the 3 minute sequence (shown in the chart below) starts. Most race committees these days use an automated system to keep time and create the sound signals. Most of these have this built into the software. The sound signals prevail. If you have a starting line longer than 75 – 100 meters or so, another sound person (or box) can be at the leeward end of the line, and/or somebody can hold a radio near the horns on the signal boat.
 

* The Warning and Prep times above are flexible. As there are no flags required, it is recommended to keep the final 90 second sounds in place no matter when the Warning and Prep signals are made. Even if flags are used, the sound signals prevail. An automatic system also frees up the timer for other duties during the Start. 

• If the RC needs to display AP prior to the Start, two horns prior to the starting signal may suffice. An AP should be raised and an announcement made.
• An OCS under a P flag does not have to be signaled with Flag X. Individual recalls shall be signalled by hailing the sail number (or other distinguishing feature) of each recalled boat.
• Failure to hear an adequate hail or sound signal shall not be grounds for redress. This changes rule 62.1.

Any and all feedback is welcome. The easier we can make it for Race Committees to provide their services, the more of them we will have, and the more racing we can do! As always, if I can be of any help in any aspects of Regatta and Race Management, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
 
Fair winds,