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Board » Flag Officers » Races » Starting points for races and practice races

Posted by
Rod


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392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2013-12-14 15:42:31 - Starting points for races and practice races
May I suggest a change in the choices of the locations of race starts. Instead of starts in the open ocean, could they be located reasonably close to the obvious port or harbour?
I realize that some sailors are starting on DCs, at times when they cannot be at their computers, and therefore have objected to "in harbour" starts, and I am not suggesting this.
Starting in the open ocean impacts the practice races, as it reduces the PR courses to pure geometric exercises. Usually there are no islands or channels that can be included in the PR courses, and this is frankly a bit boring. Merely setting a course from mark to mark results often in processions of boats on the same track.
The current Hawai PR course is an example of this problem--it gives little choice of course, and therefore little exercise to the mind.....
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
A2


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Posts
347
Registered at
2009-10-26 00:39:42
2013-12-14 17:08:56 - Re: Starting points for races and practice races
With all due respect to Rod & other Practice Racers who may hold this point of view let me say that this would be an example of the Tail wagging the Dog.

In the particular case of no obvious obstacles to fashion courses from the opportunity does exist to utilize the weather as the key element of the course.

I am suggesting a triangular Olympic style course that emphasizes Upwind/Downwind legs which does offer competitive racing.

The orientation of the marks to the wind direction could be deferred until the most recent Wx update is in place. The starting point could be predetermined & the course aligned as needed. The distance of the legs could then accommodate whatever wind speed is available to yield the desired duration.

None so blind

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