This race took place on Sunday the 22nd June 2008. The wind was blowing a 'boat breaking' force 6-7, so only a handful of boats (Lasers!) attempted even launching. The course was kept deliberately simple to avoid boats crossng over one another at very high speed.
The course start line was between the starting hut and a 'Dam' buoy (usually an orange buoy with a flag) as shown in the diagram. The course itself was displayed on the course board just outside the starting hut. The first entry on the course board is usually black and white and indicates the other end of the starting line. This is either 'Dam' to indicate a 'Dan' Buoy, or it may be buoy number of one of the nearest blue buoys around the lake.
The next set of entries on the course board indicate the buoys that must be rounded to complete the course. Each number is on green background (starboard/right) or red background (port/left) to indicate from which side the buoy should be rounded. So a buoy number with a red background should rounded anti-clockwise (i.e. the port side of the boat nearest the buoy). All the buoys must be passed in the correct sequence and rounded from the correct side. You will note in our example that all the course numbers have a red background and are therefore rounded anti-clockwise.
The final numbers (on the lower part of the board in our example) indicate the number of laps. This should be considered the maximum number of laps, but usually you will find the number of laps will be reduced as the race goes on. It is not always easy to tell if you are on you last lap or not, but it is generally good advice to race on until you hear a hoot (or bell) as you cross the finish line line.
