Mullingar Sailing ClubMullingar Sailing ClubCourses: The "Olympic" course is used for racing and is defined by three racing marks or buoys.
The start line should be at right angles to the wind and is defined by the rescue or committee boat and a mark. At a Regatta the start line would normally be half way between the Windward / Leeward marks and all of the marks would be passed on the boats left hand or PORT side. At the club, the Leeward mark is used as a pin mark and courses can be PORT or STARBOARD. Looking into the wind at the start line, if the Leeward mark is left of the rescue boat, you pass all of the marks on your left hand side. ( A PORT Course ). The centre of the race area should be North West of Church Island, as marked on this map of the lake. All of the course should be in water greater than 6m deep, particularly at the Jibe mark where capsizes are common. Remember that a GP14's mast is 6m long, if it sticks in the mud during a capsize, the most likely outcome is a broken mast. Setting the course: Lay the Leeward buoy (3) and determine the average wind direction in relation to a landmark on the horizon. Move up wind to a point where you can just see the Leeward buoy and drop the Windward buoy (1). Move back down to the half way point on the Windward / Leeward line and sight a point on the horizon at right angles to the Windward / Leeward line. Drop the Jibe mark (2) along this heading at a point where you can just see the Leeward / Windward buoys. This is the largest practical course you can lay with the club buoys. In light winds (Force 1/2), the lengths of the lines should be no more than 300 to 400m. |
