Speed Up Measurement at Regattas

One-Design SymposiumColumbus, OH

November 2007

Introductions

• Who we are• What do you want to learn?

Regatta Measuring

• What are we trying to do?

Regatta Measuring

• Make the regatta fun for sailors• Level the playing field• Help competitors meet their obligations under

RRS 78.1

Measurement is a “cost centre”

• It takes time• It takes volunteers• It takes practice• It takes up space• It’s unpredictable• It can cause problems

It can become a “profit centre”

• It can reassure sailors the playing field is level• It can educate the sailors and the volunteers• It can be a great introduction to the regatta• It can help sailors get ready for the racing

– Numbers on bow right– Gets the boat rigged or fixed– Lets you give the sailors personal attention– Lets the organizers control the boat flow

Level of checking• LEVEL 1 – (National qualifying events)

– Only Measurement Certificate + Safety equipment

• LEVEL 2 – (National Championships)– Measurement Certificate + Sails + Safety equipment +

Corrector weights

• LEVEL 3 – (Nat. Ch. of Olympic Classes or International Events)

– Measurement Certificate + Sails + Weight and CW + Safety equipment + Marks on spars

Level of checking (2)

• LEVEL 4(Int. Qual. Events, Cont.+World Championships)

– Measurement Certificate + Sails + Weight + CW + Marks on Spars + selected items + Safety equipment

• LEVEL 5 – (Olympic Regatta)

– Measurement Certificate + Almost full Measurement + Safety equipment

What really happens at measurement?

What does it require?

• Planning• A “boss”• Lots of volunteers• Lots of measuring stations – work flow• Paper records• Central control – a plan and a final destination

– Boats all checked and paperwork completed

Measurement area (Athens)470 49er Mistral Europe Finn Laser Yngling

Typical stations

• Greeting area– Paperwork given out to competitors– Numbers put on boat/trailers & sails tagged– Parking spots assigned – Questions answered– Put it near the entrance – make it the first stop– Make it registration too

Stations

• Sail Measuring hall– Private– Templates laid out– Flow through to pick up area– It can be “remote”

Other Stations

• Hull Station• Safety• Spars• Foils• Final checks/paperwork

• Close together and make the traffic flow

What do you need?

• Tools and templates– Go/no go – No fundamental measurement if possible

• Class Rules (lots)• Sail mylars or marked floor

Not fundamental Measurement just go/no go

• Volunteers and structure• Flexibility

Tips

• Train the measurers/helpers ahead of time• Do local fleets ahead of time• Decide about how much measuring to do – time it• Have a process for the Chief Measurer to make

exceptions if need be.• Leave time for latecomers or re-measures• Know what the issues will be ahead of time• Plan for bad weather – weigh out of wind

More tips

• Don’t assign the Chief Measurer – wander• Have radios at stations (Family Radio is fine)• Extra forms• 2 qualified people per station and helpers• Have work tables/saw horses at a good height• Pre mark everything• Markers, stickers and stamps – control them• Copier and paper

Even More Tips

Set ground rules before hand - publish– No boats can leave the shore (area) before

• Numbers are on hull/trailer• Measurement (including weighing) is done

• Have a schedule• Make competitors sign they have completed

measurement

Safety

• Hoists• Volunteers use of tools• Moving boats• Emergency plan• Keep things neat/tidy

Remember - Volunteers are Gold• Schedule them• Have spares• Feed and water them well• Give them a break• Let them be good at what they do but don’t let

them get bored• Thank them for their work• Be there to deal with issues – make them

comfortable

Resources

• www.sailing .org• www.ussailing.org• www.yourclass.xxx• www.otherclasses.xxx• CD Handout

Tools

Tools

Forms

• Laser• Snipe

Questions