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Under starters orders :: Fair or foul?
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Race starting procedures…discus
It goes without saying that the job of being a race starter or umpire is not for the faint hearted and is a difficult job to get right all of the time. Without the starter and race officials, the races we all enjoy can’t get under way or run at all, and we should be very thankful to those that put themselves up for the job and remember that there is a relationship between the race officials and the competitors.
I hope we’re all agreed that the job of the race starter is to ensure a clean, fair and safe start to the race. And, that the job of the race crews is to listen and play their part by obeying start instructions safe in the knowledge that the start line is without bias, and that the starter will do all they can to provide the fairest start possible?
With this relationship between starter and crews established, the key component is a consistent, clear and easy to understand starting procedure.
This post is designed to encourage discussion so please feel free to comment below.
1. “CONTROLLED” START PROCEDURE
NOTES :
- With a “controlled” start, the starter issues instructions to crews on how to align to the start line and will start the race once a fair line has formed.
- The starter needs to calmly announce instructions to crews via radio.
- Crews need to promptly follow instructions.
- A coxwain can raise their arm to signal that their crew is NOT READY and the starter will NOT START the race.
PROCEDURE :
- Use VHF radio to announce the berth order (if needed) and that crews are to make their way to the start line.
- Raise the starters flag to signify the start process is underway and announce the same on VHF radio.
- Race starter can use the boat name plus phrases “COME UP“, “BACK DOWN” or ”HOLD WATER“ to align crews into line. But, no other phrases.
- When the line is looking as close as possible, starter uses the word “ATTENTION!“
- After a short delay (say, 3 seconds), race is started by lowering the start flag, and announcing over VHF radio using the word “GO!“
Between “ATTENTION!” and “GO!“, any crews seen taking a stroke will be liable to a penalty.
Ideally on both the “ATTENTION!” and ”GO!” signals, a photograph will be taken along the start line for use during any protest or penalty decisions.
2. “COUNTDOWN” START PROCEDURE
NOTES :
- With a “COUNTDOWN” start procedure, the starter simply announces that there are “x” minutes until the start of the race and uses start flags and VHF radio to control and announce the countdown.
- Crews need to promptly follow instructions, but it is up to the crews to form the line and to ensure they are not over the line.
- The race starter can POSTPONE the start countdown sequence at any time by raising two identical, highly visible start flags, announcing on VHF radio, and restarting the countdown phase.
- Any crew deemed over the line (OCS, see penalties below) will be liable to a penalty.
- This start system DOES allow for running starts. However, it is up to crew and coxwain skill to hit the line at the correct time and to avoid penalties.
PROCEDURE (example with 5 minute start sequence)
- Two identical, highly visible start flags are raised to signify that we are in the PRE-COUNTDOWN phase.
- Use VHF radio to announce the berth order (if needed) and that crews are to make their way to the start line.
- One start flag is lowered to signify the start process is underway and announce the same on VHF radio that there are “FIVE MINUTES UNTIL THE START” – coxwains can start their own countdown stopwatch as well.
- Crews have time to complete pre-race warmup and tests and position themselves on the line, aligned to the transit markers.
- Race starter monitors the countdown and announces the 4, 3, 2 and 1 minute times.
- In the final minute, the starter announces :
- “THIRTY SECONDS”
- “TWENTY SECONDS”
- “TEN SECONDS”
- “FIVE…FOUR…THREE…TWO…ONE…”
- GO! – flag is lowered and start line photograph(s) taken.
PENALTIES / SANCTIONS
Where a crew is deemed ON COURSE SIDE (OCS) of the start line, the race committee should state what penalty may be applied after reviewing the start line pictures. For example :
1. OCS, but stationary : 10 second penalty (or demoted 1 place).
2. OCS and moving : 20 second penalty (or demoted 3 places).
3. Rowing between ATTENTION and GO! signals : 10 second penalty (or demoted 1 place).
4. More than 1 boatlength OCS : 30 second penalty (or demoted 5 places).
5. More than 2 boatlengths OCS : Disqualified.
Penalties can be added together. So, being OCS and rowing between ATTENTION and GO (with a “controlled” start sequence) could add a 30 second penalty (or demoted by 4 places).
TRANSIT MARKERS and STARTLINE AIDS
The use of transit markers so that coxes can align themselves is a good idea but only if there is absolutely no bias to the start line. Otherwise, crews who notice the bias will simply push the line. That said, if crews suspect a bias on the line they should immediately announce to the race starter or event management.
The race starter MUST be aligned with the transit markers. The rearmost transit marker should be taller than other and ideally have an identifying mark such as a large triangle on top.
Buoyed starting lanes can also be very useful. This system is successfully used at the World Pilot Gig Championships. Again, the line needs to be established without any bias.
4:36 pm
Oops, didn’t mean to add a reply to this current comment, not sure how to start a new topic.
Appologies.
6:20 pm
Hi Matt P, It is without say that everyone who rows MUST respect the umpires views on the start line to make the race fair for all crews. Who do you row (just asking)?
4:34 pm
Historical Stuff, Does Anybody Know ?
Can anybody say when tossing pins first appeared, were they present on historical gigs, or are they an inovation born of racing around marks ?
Have all Cornish gigs always been starboard stroke (seemingly unlike the rest of the rowing world) ?
It seems counter-intuitive to have your bow rower on the port side where it provides the most turning force, when racing marks are rounded in an anti clockwise direction, but then I suppose when using the tossing pins it does give you a four to two rower advantage on the correct side. So do we race anti clockwise because tossing pins give this advantage, or do we have the extra pins because we race this way round ?
When did circuit racing start, is it a CPGA thing ?
12:03 pm
Possibly Newquay Rowing Clubs “Silver Gig” trophy. Raced for every year (apart from the War years) since 1922 in the same 3 Gigs. Newquay built 1812, Dove 1820 and Treffry 1838. Treffry being the Gig that all modern gigs have to take their dimensions from. They race 2 laps of the same course we all race around at Newquay Championships, and as far as I know have done since 1922, way before cpga started. Crew selection and training is arguably taken more seriously by Newquay rowers for the Silver Gig then they do for any other event. The Trophy itself is a solid silver model of a gig that is only allowed out the bank safe once a year for pictures with the winning crew and engraving. Have a look at the History section on NRC website for more info.
3:41 pm
I think the countdown start would be easier for the starters and the coxes would know where they are too. A video would easily show who is over the line if the crew/cox doesn’t believe they should have been disqualified. We can all (well most of us) do this type of start on Scilly so why not on normal racing. The starters wouldn’t need to worry about letting people know they are over the line or ask anyone to back up it would be the responsibility of the cox not to get their crew disqualified.
9:39 pm
have to agree with westy boats can win races and not crews!!!
10:32 am
Westy raises a point that really gets to me about this sport as a rower of both codes slidy seat and gig [yea yea boo hiss] Gig rowers seem to show a relentless inability to accept change i know this is becoming a decreasing minority but they seem to have the loudest voices. More people need to start being more pro-active about making changes. Also just due to the gulf in class between some clubs does not mean that a lesser club should be given less of a chance somthing ive also noticed however this occurs in both codes but it shouldnt happen anywhere.
7:10 am
I don’t know who westy is but I’d hazard a guess he rows in one of the boats we’re all moaning about!
10:36 pm
some one has too much time on there hands!! gig rowing has never been fair and probably will never be! thats part of gig rowing, get use to it!!
4:41 pm
‘Westy’,that is possibly one of the most ridiculous comments ever posted on this website!
It is the role of the organising body and others who are willing to help to try and develop the sport and make it as fair as possible.
It is views like yours that are stopping/slowing the sport’s development. We should all be striving to make Gig rowing as fair and professionally run as possible, not making comments like yours about those who try to put some ideas forward.
3:12 pm
dose gig rowing really need “development”? some people seem to forget what gig rowing is and the traditional side of the sport. its not a professional sport so if u want fair starts and precision rowing maybe u should stick to slidey seat rowing! clubs like newquay, cadgwith and scillys still have the right attitude as they go out, have a good race and then go on the p**s and respect the traditions and roots of gig racing.
As for newquay not being fair, near enough the best 6 crews make the final and the best crew wins, isnt that what its about?
9:44 am
It is possible to ‘respect the traditions and roots of gig rowing’ without keeping the sport in the dark ages. All clubs and crews have to adhere to ‘traditional’ guidelines through CPGA rules regarding design nd manufacture of the equipment used. The clubs you mentioned have bought new boats within the last few years and with Scillies and Newquay both being Veteran World Champions over the last 2 years, there are clearly rowers there who take the racing as seriously as anyone.
There is room within the sport for people who want to treat it as a social activity as well as those want to race extremely seriously as well as for everyone in between. Just because people like yourself Westy may be less interested in the development of the sport, that does not mean it should not happen. Progression of the rules and procedures of the sport should allow serious racers the chance to access fair and competitive racing whilst not detracting from the origins of the sport.
12:18 am
Thinking about penalties for a minute, would there be any mileage in having all courses (except straight sprints) being a triangle with a separate penalty bouy between the two marks creating a kite for boats deemed to have jumped the start. Starter relays decision to offending boat who turns three bouys to everyone elses two. Anyone not complying with penalty buoy decisions is dq’d no questions. Also certain coxes regularly push the line but are seemingly not spotted!!!
10:25 am
Im a fan of the longer course for offenders idea but the main problem i find seems to be the unwillingness [if thats a word] of the starters to do anything about crews who push the line i have been on the line where a boat has recieved 3 warnings 2 of which were called a final warning. I feel the starters need to take note of scillies event there is no ifs buts or maybes if you break the line your punished end of story.
6:55 pm
Totally agree with Adam.
I’m fed up with boats being told repeatedly by the Starter to get back behind the start line, ignoring the Starter and nothing being done.
A few DQ’s at the start of the season will sort out everybody.
9:38 am
I honestly don’t think which method is usedas long as it is implemented correctly. The ‘controlled’ procedure is perfectly fair and easy to implement and yet, at every Tribute event and at Newquay the start lines have been a disaster. on occassions this may of due to crews pushing the line, but for the most part it was incompetance of the starter.
It doesn’t appear that the starter have any pride in setting off a straight line of boats.
Also, how many times can crews be given ‘final warnings’ before they are DQ’d – endless apparently. It would only take a few DQ’s before crews did exactly as they were told – this has worked for the St Agnes start at Scillies which is far harder to control than a line of 6 or 12 boats!
9:36 pm
in my opinion the only real fair and honest way of starting a race would be like the sliding seat boys have, a starting bloke machine! i know this would be very difficult to create but you’ll never get it perfect or consistant any other way.
If you start a race with all blades in water holding boat still would help.
Or video it and make decision before the boats cross finish line, then give any crews/boats the bad news??? This should sort it out after few events!