Chichester Yacht Club Magazine January 2019 | Page 18

Demystifying Dinghy Racing - by Alastair
Jenkin
Introduction
Welcome to 2019, and an invitation to add
‘Doing some Club Racing’ to your New Year
resolutions.
I should begin with a slight disclaimer that I
am no expert, merely a happy participant.
There are others in the Club with far more
Dinghy Racing experience and ability,
including a few National and Olympic
Champions in their day. However, I hope that
this article provides just enough insight to
encourage a few more sailors into our series.
When Manu and I joined CYC we joined with
the sole purpose of being able to launch our
boat and go sailing. We soon discovered that
the social heart of the Dinghy Section was the
Sloop and the changing rooms, where the
regular racers caught up with each other,
discussing the typically fickle weather
conditions, the bunching at the first mark and
many non-sailing topics.
Notice of Race and Sailing
Instructions
NOR and SIs are no more or less than an
announcement of a race series, along with
the general rules and conditions that will be in
force during the series.
As far as club racing is concerned, they are
generic and the ‘just enough’ advocate could
say read one, you’ve read them all, but that’s
not to decry the effort that the Race Secretary
takes in ensuring they are fit for purpose and
up to date. NOR and SIs are published on the
club’s website.
The 2019 club racing series will be published
in due course but the 2019 Snowflake Open
It was only a small step to becoming a social NOR and SIs provides a good insight into
club racer, with the realisation that the
what goes on behind the scenes. Do give
programme provides a regular opportunity for them a quick read but don’t fret over the
sailing in company, visiting various parts of
detail.
Chichester Lake, securely, and being able to
see whether one’s sailing abilities were, in
The Start
general, improving. Isn’t that a pretty good
reason to give it a go?
When starting to race, the start is probably
the most difficult aspect to get to grips with.
Some new members are put off by their
Lots of boats toing and froing, some
perception of racing: too shouty, too
aggressive, rules are too complex. However, apparently parked on the start line, rather a
although there are instances of bad behaviour lot of jostling. But hang back from the melee
and you can be assured of a clean start.
on the water, these are extremely rare.
Things are generally very civil; competition is
It’s helpful to have a sound understanding of
friendly and encouraging.
the start sequence, since being a long way
from the start line when the start is signalled
And as for the rules, the essentials are
straightforward, whilst the more complicated can be dispiriting.
ones are, at the risk of being criticised by
some, only really important if you want to get
really serious.
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