 NSC - Basic Primer On Racing The Nepean Sailing Club has one of the biggest racing fleets in Ontario. We have various classes involving both keel boats and dinghies suitable for all levels of sailing ability. We provide racing seminars and access to crew who are keen to race. So, why not get your boat on the starting line and join us? Why Race?
When are the Races? Races start in early May and end in mid-October. Races occur 4 evenings per week on a short course and many weekends involve up river races. You can join as many or as few as you like. Some races involve boats of the same design (one-design) while others use a handicap system to equalize boat performance (PHRF). Monday—Keelboats of various sizes race under PHRF. Women only. Tuesday—Keelboats of various sizes race under PHRF. Men and women. Wednesday—Dinghies and catamarans race under a handicap system. Men and women. Thursday—Two different courses. Keelboats of various sizes without spinnakers race under PHRF. (JAM fleet) Keelboats of the same size and make race without a handicap system (One Design). Both courses men and women. Weekends—Long distance races, fun races, regattas and special event races take place on most Saturdays and Sundays. Men and women. Basic Racing Information Here’s some basic racing terminology: Short Course Racing—This takes place in the evening starting around 6 PM usually around drop marks. The race typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and then its back to the Clubhouse to relive your experience over drinks and a BBQ. Up River Racing—These type of races take place on weekends and usually involve sailing up river to a mark and back again. Distances can vary from about 10 miles to the infamous 100 miler. Typically starts are around 9 AM and you’re back by 4 PM. Start Sequence—Usually there are several starts in a race, depending on boat size or class. Each start is separated by 5 minutes, so everyone is well spaced. The Committee Boat—This is the home of the Race Committee which starts and runs the races. The boat can be found on the Start Line and displays flags and sounds the race signals. They also determine your placing as you cross the Finish Line. Sailing Instructions—These are local rules put together by the Club’s Sailing Committee which outline local regulations for racing. In conjunction with the overall CYA Racing Rules of Sailing, these govern how the race is run and specific "rules of the road" for all boats. Protests—If you think a competitor has not properly followed the "rules of the road", then you can file a protest against that boat. A Protest Committee then hears both sides and determines who is at fault. Depending on fault, the boat may be penalized or disqualified. PHRF-LO—Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (Lake Ontario) is a racing handicap system. The handicap is calculated from a number of measurements of your boat and sails and is derived from analyzing the past performance of many boats throughout Ontario. Using this data base of information, the Club Handicapper determines your PHRF handicap. The resulting handicap for your boat is then multiplied by your actual elapsed time to get a corrected time. Typically, smaller boats move up the standings using the handicap system and larger boats move down to determine the actual placements. Race Registration—All boats taking part in NSC’s Racing Programme must register by completing a Registration form and a PHRF-LO Certificate Application. Both are available on the Racing Bulletin Board. How Do I Get Started? If you’re keen to get going, here’s what you need to do:
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