[S2] Fwd: Finish Lines for Trapezoid Courses

[Tom Elsen]

FYI  Bert responded to the concerns immediately. See below. 

Sent from my iPhone
Please pardon typos

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Bert Foster <bert at apexq.com>
> Date: May 28, 2014 12:09:25 PM CDT
> To: Tom Elsen <telse at aol.com>
> Cc: "'Blake Middleton (MYC at aol.com)'" <MYC at aol.com>, "'Jarod Silverman (JarodSilverman at GMail.com)'" <JarodSilverman at GMail.com>, "'Kevin Kenny (kevinpkenny at yahoo.com)'" <kevinpkenny at yahoo.com>, "'Dusty Breitner (dustin.breitner at gmail.com)'" <dustin.breitner at gmail.com>, "'Charlie Onan (chuckytt at yahoo.com)'" <chuckytt at yahoo.com>
> Subject: RE: Finish Lines for Trapezoid Courses
> 

> Hello Tom,
> 
> On that evening there were to finish lines, one on the right-hand course above the Windward Mark and one on the left him course using the Windward Mark as a finish line Mark. However I will below address other concerns.
> 
> I found out that the race committee had a misunderstanding of the express written word in the SIs and the race committee policy about how to handle finishes on the trapezoid course. I have discussed with the RC that I want to have trapezoid course finish lines above the Weathermark, but would probably have not communicated that adequately. The PRO read the SIs and it indicated that the trapezoid course finishes can be either at the Weathermark or at a separate Mark to Windward of the Weathermark. They decided to set it at the Windward Mark, which of course is against the policy that I have established. The SIs state that either is acceptable and to be expected by the sailors. The reason for the dual SI representation is that in the event there is an emergency the saving of a boat, a medical issue, the course change etc., the race committee may be late getting to the finish line and buzz up to that Windward Mark and without even anchoring the finish line boat begin taking finishes.
> 
> I agree with the concern that separate finish line above the Windward Mark must be far enough above hundred Mark so that boats finishing on either the finish line port lay line or starboard lay line do not interfere boats that are on the starboard or port lay line going to the Windward Mark, or boats rounding the Windward Mark and the offset are not interfered with by the lay line finishing. This may not always be possible if we set a very long course and the Windward Mark is set far up, but offshore enough asto  is not have significant topographical wind problems due to being too close to the windward shore. In this case we might move the Windward Mark to one side or the other in order to keep it far enough off the windward shore still have decent wind.
> 
> Thank you for your thoughtful email.
> 
> Bert
> 
> 
> Bert Foster
> RC Chair WYC
> H 952-473-2240
> C 612-281-9999
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Elsen [mailto:telse at aol.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2014 3:30 PM
> To: Bert Foster
> Cc: S2 Mailing List
> Subject: Finish lines in split-course settings
> 
> Hi Bert -
> 
> I've been asked by a couple of our fleet members (with whom I agree) to express our concern about setting a single finish line when there are split courses. 
> This obviously skews the final upwind leg for both the left and the right courses. As such it decreases the strategic options for attacking boats. It makes the race more of a parade. 
> However, of significantly more concern is a course such as that set Thrs 5/22. The finish was not significantly upwind of the windward marks. Boats finishing very close to others who are approaching, rounding and decending from their windward mark is a difficult situation for everyone. Difficult = dangerous. 
> Whenever possible, we think separate finishes...significantly upwind...is a much more desirable course setting. 
> 
> Thanks
> Tom Elsen
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> Please pardon typos
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