Chichester Yacht Club Magazine January 2019 | Page 20

What this means is that if you are approaching
the mark with another boat on the same tack, if
the inside boat (as you consider the boats
needing to alter course around the mark) is
overlapped with the outside boat at 3 boat
lengths to the mark, then the outside boat must
keep clear, allowing the inside boat to turn
around the mark first.
There are others, but no need to complicate
things when starting out.
Give it a go!
The Dinghy Committee recently agreed to
incorporate a pennant system, whereby those
new to racing can fly a pennant, which will be
available from the Tea Bar, as a means of
showing ‘just starting to race’ status, rather like
the P for newly qualified drivers. And just like
the P, it provides an indication that some
practical consideration is owed to those crews
by those more experienced.
Rules may not be fully understood, reactions
might be a bit slower, and expected rights
might not be entirely respected.
The outstanding coverage of the 2012
Olympics, with explanatory commentaries, on
board cameras, stunning overheads, overlaid
20
graphics and the excitement of British medal
prospects made for some terrific television
viewing.
Most recently, as I’ve tried to learn a little bit
more on the technicalities of one on one match
racing, the Spain v Australia finals from 2012
has some inspiring stuff (check out the thrills
and spills from 1:02:30 and 2:12:30).
YouTube has a great many informative and
helpful videos that can help demystify racing
further, or just provide tips on the sailing
basics. And for those willing to emulate the
younger generations, why not get some
practice in on Virtual Regatta Inshore – a free
browser based simulation, 6 minutes per race
plus a shortened start sequence.
I do hope you will all give some serious
consideration to joining the racing, for the fun
and fulfilling sailing experience you will get
from it.
The more experienced are only too willing to
share some tips and offer advice; Manu and I
received a great deal of supportive and
sympathetic encouragement when we started
out.
So why not plan to give it a go in 2019!