How many yachts are needed to start a race

D

Don107

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Hi all

if you have 4 yachts entered in a race series and on the day of the race 2 of the boats don't compete in the race and a third boat intends to compete but has engine trouble and is not able to leave her mooring, is the remaining boat that starts the race and sails the course entitled to take the points for the race win

I have looked in the racing rules of sailing but can not find any answer on this

Thanks in advance

Regards Don
 
Don107 said:
Hi all

if you have 4 yachts entered in a race series and on the day of the race 2 of the boats don't compete in the race and a third boat intends to compete but has engine trouble and is not able to leave her mooring, is the remaining boat that starts the race and sails the course entitled to take the points for the race win

I have looked in the racing rules of sailing but can not find any answer on this

Thanks in advance

Regards Don
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Yes, unless sailing instructions specify a minimum number of starters. I have a nice hip flask obtained by just such unsporting behaviour.
 
Don107 said:
if you have 4 yachts entered in a race series and on the day of the race 2 of the boats don't compete in the race and a third boat intends to compete but has engine trouble and is not able to leave her mooring, is the remaining boat that starts the race and sails the course entitled to take the points for the race win
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Absolutely. If the boat that sailed the course wasn't scored then they'd be unfairly disadvantaged in the series. As Quiddle says the SIs could set a minimum number. However that would be risky with such a small fleet as it may encourage a boat to try to nullify the last race of a series to retain an advantage. Best not to throw temptation their way.
 
I certainly did a RORC race a few years back where only half a dozen made it to the start, and only 1 or 2 actually finished. They certainly got their series points (and richly deserved them too)
 
1 was enough in the AC?

But quite a few clubs/events have a minimum in their NoR or SI's.
There are arguments for and against.
I don't want to sit on a committee boat just so that one fool can get his points in silly weather.
People have let it be known that if we run a race, it might go quite near the time limit....
 
I once won a race because I was the only one of six who managed to cross the start line against the tide after an hour or so.

I remember seeing a single entrant at a point-to-point. The rider was required to walk the horse round the first fence, without actually mounting, which seemed quaint but is apparently the rule. If I were making a rule for yachts I would require the solitary yacht to round the first mark, if a round-the- buoys race.
 
Hi all

Thanks for the feedback

In this case the complete course was sailed and we made a radio call to the starter prior to starting to check if the race was valid with one starter and to see if she was happy to sit in the box for a couple of hours while we sailed the course

She said she was and we had the skipper and a crew member on board who had traveled down from Hobart to race and another local sailor who hadn't sailed for a few years filling in for us so it seemed a shame to motor out and back in without having a sail

Regards Don
 
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johnalison said:
If I were making a rule for yachts I would require the solitary yacht to round the first mark, if a round-the- buoys race.
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lpdsn said:
But they could still get DNF if made to do the full course, which could affect the series standings.
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The committee boat could shorten course at the first mark if they didn't want to sit out all day. Alternatively for series where the competitors are familiar with self timing, (and with a fixed line) would it be acceptable to agree over VHF to self finish, or would it be too late by then?
 
So 3 out of the 4 boats failed to cross the start line (so DNS). All you have to do to win the race is cross the start line. You can then retire (DNF), and you still win. You do not have to finish.
 
Bobc said:
So 3 out of the 4 boats failed to cross the start line (so DNS). All you have to do to win the race is cross the start line. You can then retire (DNF), and you still win. You do not have to finish.
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But in the races I am familiar with you get more points for a win than a DNF
 
Bobc said:
So 3 out of the 4 boats failed to cross the start line (so DNS). All you have to do to win the race is cross the start line. You can then retire (DNF), and you still win. You do not have to finish.
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A4.2 A boat that did not start, did not finish, retired or was disqualified
shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the
number of boats entered in the series. A boat that is penalized under
rule 30.2 or that takes a penalty under rule 44.3(a) shall be scored
points as provided in rule 44.3(c).

Check your SIs!
 
lw395 said:
A4.2 A boat that did not start, did not finish, retired or was disqualified
shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the
number of boats entered in the series. A boat that is penalized under
rule 30.2 or that takes a penalty under rule 44.3(a) shall be scored
points as provided in rule 44.3(c).

Check your SIs!
Click to expand...

You are quite correct.
 
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