Return To Racing!
Published 09:14 on 21 Mar 2021
At Last!
Sailing Starts at Farmoor on the 29th of March. Casual sailing may restart immediately under the two boat rule but this mailing will focus on restarting Racing. The Commodore will be mailing shortly to update on renewals and summer activities.
There are a number of steps at which Covid restrictions will gradually be lifted but after the 29th of March, the key step/date for us is step 4/June 21st when all the main restrictions, as they affect sailing, will be lifted. Below, this date is referred to frequently but it could change in line with alterations to the government roadmap out of Covid.
Start Date
The Spring series will start at 11.00hrs on Sunday the 4th of April and the Wednesday evening series at 18.45hrs on the 7th April.
Races & Fleets
Until the clubhouse opens fully on June 21st, the Sunday club racing will comprise two back-to-back races running from 11.00 until approximately 13.00hrs.
The fast and slow handicap fleets will no longer be merged and we will revert to our usual four fleets: Asymmetric; Fast-Handicap; ILCA 7,6 and 4 (Lasers); and Slow handicap.
For information on sailing with members not of your own household i.e. in double handers, you may find this link outlining risk management helpful:
RYA Guidance to Sailing with members not of your household
Our changing rooms will open to members from Step 3/ May17th but access will be limited (rule of 6 at any one time) because of their size and restricted single entrance/exit. You may anyway prefer to arrive at Farmoor already changed for sailing. They can be opened fully at Step 4/June 21st.
New Starting/Finishing System
At the start of the season, a new light-based starting system will be installed on our Lightning Sue committee boat. Linked to this is a computer-based system for easier recording of finishing times and places. A duplicate system will be installed in the Starting Hut later on.
The new set up will be phased in over the first few weeks, probably beginning with the starting lights followed by the finishing system. Training will be required for OODs and further details will be outlined nearer the time.
This should simplify race management around start and finish and it is anticipated will require a smaller race team to operate i.e. only one assistant.
While the lighting system is being embedded in the race starts, the arm-based signalling system used last year will be used as back up. The new computer and old method of recording finishing times and places will be used in parallel initially until we are confident in the lighting system.
NB: Lightning Sue has a new buoy for mooring during Club racing, with an easy-attach hook. Full details here shortly, with thanks to Derek B
Amended Sailing Instructions with details of the above will be issued in due course.
Duty Volunteers & Duty Assignments
While Covid restrictions are in place until the 21st of June, we will again be asking for duties to be undertaken by volunteers. As last year, you can volunteer for a duty on the Duty Roster accessed via the OSC website, members login.
As in previous years, we envisage each member undertaking two duties in the year; any duty undertaken in the 'volunteering' period before June 21st will count towards the annual requirement.
Should you wish, at any time, you may also self-assign a duty after June 21st. This would, of course, include those who, because of Covid related restrictions, cannot volunteer before 21st June. But we ask that those who are able to volunteer initially for the club races up to the 21st of June; and that those who can undertake OOD duties do so (rather than assist).
Where there are gaps in the roster after 21st June, the club will assign duties in line with the information available from the Duty Roster Survey.
Welcome back to Club Racing!
Steve Gould
Sailing Secretary
Last updated 11:17 on 4 February 2024