Everything you need to know about

The Race Committee

but didn't know who to ask

The Race Committee is the quintessential element of a successful competition program. From the Principal Race Officer to Race Director to Registrar and Scorekeepers to Boat Crew, each has an important function. This RC Help Article offers brief job descriptions for each Race Committee member.

The typical RC consists of:

• Principal Race Officer

• Race Coordinator

• Race Director

• Assistant Race Director

• Beachmaster

• Registrar

• Scorekeepers

• Boat Crew 1, 2, 3

• Data Processor

• Public Relations

• Other volunteers as needed

The Principal Race Officer (P.R.O.)

Sanctioned events require a Principal Race Officer or Head Judge. The presence of a P.R.O. minimizes potential conflict and insures the races are safe, fun and fair for all.

The P.R.O. does not organize events, plan races or participate in racing. His or her primary function is to serve as a liaison between:

• The International Sailing Federation (International Yacht Racing Union until 1996) Racing Rules for Sailing (RRS), prescriptions of the National level Sailing Association, the Event Guidelines of the National level Windsurfing Association, the local Windsurfing Association's Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions, and

• The local Race Committee and Event Participants.

In case of disputes, differences of opinions and protests, it is the P.R.O.'s responsibility to make the final decision based on the Racing Rules, Prescriptions, Event Guidelines, Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions. It is imperative that the P.R.O. have copies of each readily available at the venue. The P.R.O.'s decision is final and cannot be protested.

The P.R.O. is an impartial observer and may not participate in the race nor may he or she have any other responsibility in the race. Their sole function is to observe the event and be prepared to settle disputes within established guidelines.

The Race Coordinator

The Race Coordinator's position is an important one! He or she is responsible for:

• Planning the annual Racing Calendar considering Events in other areas.

• Getting the necessary permits for all events from the State/Province and City/County Agencies.

• Writing the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions and distributing them to local Windsurfing shops and competitors.

• Making sure the Race Notice and Sailing Instructions are posted at race site.

• Following all necessary steps for obtaining sanctioning.

• Getting race sponsorship.

• Appointing a Race Director and helping form and train a Race Committee.

The Race Director

The Race Director's work begins where the Race Coordinator's work ends. The race Director is responsible for:

• Working with the Race Coordinator to write the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions and to find and train volunteers.

• Making sure the Boat Crew has the Race Committee Boat(s), personal flotation devices, safety equipment, radios, flags, buoys, anchors and all lines all race ready.

• Supervising the boat launching and delaunching.

• Supervising the setting of buoys.

• Conducting the Skipper's Meeting

• Starting the races and observing them.

• Making sure the Event runs smoothly.

The nature of the Race Director's responsibilities are such that it's usually impossible for him or her to participate in racing.

The Assistant Race Director

The Assistant Race Director may be considered in training for the Race Director position one day. Assistants are responsible for helping the Race Director in:

Making sure the Boat Crew has the Race Committee Boat(s), personal flotation devices, safety equipment, radios, flags, buoys, anchors and all lines all race ready.

• Supervising the boat launching and delaunching.

• Supervising the setting of buoys.

• Conducting the Skipper's Meeting

• Starting the races and observing them.

• Making sure the Event runs smoothly.

The nature of the Assistant Race Director's responsibilities are such that it's usually impossible for him or her to participate in racing, although in smaller local events, participation is definitely a possibility.

The Beachmaster

Racers are usually under a lot of pressure preparing equipment, rigging sails, and getting ready for the race. They're often unaware of time!

Before the Skipper's Meeting, the Beachmaster is responsible for:

• Making sure racers know the time for the Skipper's Meeting.

• Circulating among the windsurfer's rigs making sure all sails have numbers on both sides.

• Making sure everyone attends the mandatory Skipper's Meeting.

After the Skipper's Meeting, the Beachmaster is responsible for:

• Helping racers get on the water in time for start.

• Answering racer's questions about approximate time for upcoming heats or races, etc.

• Helping Scorekeeper;s spot finishers if necessary.

• Entering race results on the "big board" or Official Notice Board as soon as possible after each heat.

The Registrar

Registration of racers (signing the waiver, signing in on the appropriate roster and paying feels) is an important part of racing. Without a waiver, the association exposes itself to unnecessary liability.

The Registrar is responsible for:

• Registering racers using appropriate entry forms, rosters and waivers.

• Collecting entry fee.

• Making a Roster for each Event/Fleet/Class/Division.

• Determining if racer is current in their Local, National and International Association or Class Association membership; if not, has racer complete application and collects fee.

• Determining if racer has sail numbers on both sides of sail.

The Registrar's responsibility in a small event ends when the race begins; therefore, it's possible for the Registrar to participate in racing if they desire. In a large event however, the Registrar usually is needed for the duration of the event and they often help in other capacities as well, e.g. scorekeeping.

The Scorekeeper

The Scorekeeper's work begins at the start of the Skipper's Meeting when the Race Director or Beachmaster gives them the forms they need for the Event they'll be scoring.

Generally speaking, the Scorekeeper is responsible for:

• Getting the Scoresheets ready.

• Recording race results including any heat or start numbers, finishing places and penalty notes.

• If figuring the races manually, deducting any discards, checking for and breaking ties, totaling scores, assigning ranking and points earned.

• Posting results on the "big board" or Official Notice Board.

The Boat Crew(s)

The Boat Crews are responsible for the Race Committee Boat and other boats as needed. On Race Day, they are responsible for:

• Making sure the Race Committee boat(s) are race ready with PFDs, safety equipment, radio, flags, timing device, buoys, anchors and lines.

• Making sure boat(s) are fueled and oiled, battery charged and in good running condition.

• Launching the boat(s) in time to set the buoys at least an hour before the race is scheduled to begin.

Once the race begins, the Boat Crew is responsible for:

Making sure of wind minimums.

• Helping, if necessary, start the Race or Heat using proper Preparatory, Warning and Start visual and audible signals.

• Scoring finishers if necessary.

• Observing the race, making sure buoys are rounded properly.

• Noting any infractions of the Racing Rules, Event Guidelines, Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions.

The Data Processor

The Data Processor is needed only when RaceManPro or other computer software is used.

Generally, the Data Processor is responsible for:

• Updating the Sail Registry as necessary.

• Creating Rosters and heat assignments as necessary.

• Inputting computing race results.

• Providing printouts of race results.

• Provide Press Releases to media on a timely basis.

The Public Relations Coordinator

The Public Relations Coordinator is responsible for putting the Sport of Windsurfing in front of the public.

Generally, the P.R. Coordinator is responsible for:

• Sending Season Event Calendar to the newspapers, radio, TV stations and various Internet Web Sites, Public Relations companies, tourist publications, Chamber of Commerce, Visitor and Tourist Bureaus, and other.

• Notifying newspapers, magazines, community calendars, radio stations, TV stations and various Internet Web Sites of upcoming events.

• Notifying the media and various Internet Web Sites of race results.

• Inviting the media to events and making sure a boat is provided for photography purposes.