Contacts
The San Diego Yacht Club Race Committee is dedicated to running top quality sailing events while providing a fair and safe race environment for the competing sailors. Without the help of Race Committee volunteers, our 45+ sailing events each year would not be possible. In 2024 we expect to have over 95 days on the water.
Race Committee FAQ
A regular race day starts around 8:30am with check in for the RC volunteers, generally at Corinthian in SDYC slip C-71. You’ll pick up your lunch, meet with your teammates, and help prepare for your day on the water. Prior to leaving the docks, you’ll be briefed about what to expect that day in terms of weather, responsibilities, and any other pertinent information.
How long you are out and where racing takes place is determined by the event. Most events take place just offshore from Coronado, and some events occur in San Diego Bay. Generally speaking, you will arrive back to the dock sometime around 5pm. Then it is time to put all the toys away and enjoy some food, drinks, and socializing with fellow RC members and competitors. You’ll be rewarded with a few drink tickets for use during post-race socializing!
A few reminders about our volunteer food and beverage perks...
-
Drink tickets (we all LOVE drink tickets!) are for:
- house wines
- draft beer
- mixed drinks or simple cocktails using well spirits including Mount Gay!
- Drink tickets are intended for RC volunteers; there’s no such thing as a free… drink.
- Food and beverages provided by the club should be enjoyed while volunteering or while socializing after racing at the club; not for take-home.
Race Committee Positions
Principal Race Officer (PRO)
The overall on water management of the regatta is the responsibility of the PRO. The PRO keeps an overview of all courses and is the ultimate decision maker on the overall conduct of the event. The PRO also supervises the onshore aspects of race management, ensuring that signals are displayed correctly, notices are placed on the official notice board etc.
Scorer
In charge of entering race finishes, and protest results into a program that figures results, and responsible for posting those results as pre-arranged.
Timer
In charge of keeping time during starts, recording leg times, and finish times if required.
Start Recorder
Assists PRO during start, making notes as the PRO calls the start line. Also assists Results recorder.
Results Recorder
Writes sail numbers/finish times as dictated by the PRO or line sighter.
Flags
This may be one to three people. Jobs include post the race information prior to the start sequence (course #, leg length and bearing to first mark), will also hoist start signal flags as required, and recall flags after the start if necessary. Also track requirements of other timed flags (orange line flags up or down, etc.)
Crew
Person who is generally available to do various tasks on the boat like help anchor the boat, assist if other boats come along side (fenders, lines, etc.), move tow lines, inflate marks, etc. These jobs can also be spread among other people, but helpful to have an extra strong pair of hands.
Markset Boat Helm
In charge of entering race finishes, and protest results into a program that figures results, and responsible for posting those results as pre-arrangePerson in charge of driving the markset boat, navigating as required to place the marks, and communications with the signal boatd.
Markset Boat Crew
Person on markset boat in charge of rigging anchors, road, and marks for deployment.
Support Boat Driver
This is a person in charge of operation of a support boat designated for various purposes like safety, medical, press, photo or spectator boats.
Race Committee Boats
Corinthian
Signal Boat
DeFever 43
Roseville
Markset
Steiger 23
Bessemer
Markset
Steiger 23
Osprey
Markset
Safe Boat 25
No Sails
Markset
Intrepid 26
Home Office
Regatta Support
Novuraina 22
Corner Office
Regatta Support
Apex 24
