Midnight Madness, Coordinator & RC Notes

This page is intended to provide guidance, best practices and considerations in the running of the Midnight Madness Race. It is directed primarily towards the race bosun who will be running the race, and the Fleet Volunteer who is taking the lead on organizing and promoting the race. See also the post about the current year’s race.

Midnight Madness is rather unique in many ways:
It is this the only NSC race that is started and sailed completely in darkness.
It is the only one for which the marks are lit.
It is the only one for which attendance at the Skippers Meeting is mandatory.
It is the only one for which the course is communicated at the Skippers Meeting.
It is the only race for which there is a separate registration process.

However, like other races, Midnight Madness is governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing and our Interclub SIs.

Also, like other evening races, a start sequence should not be commenced unless we’ve got at least 3 knots, and a reasonable hope that the fleet can get at least to the windward mark and back. If a postponement is appropriate due to a lack of wind, then it’s suggested that the RC wait for 30-45 minutes to see if any wind fills in, before abandoning.

Since it is impossible to see flags unless a light is shone upon them, the RC should broadcast on VHF Channel 72, announcing all flags, and calling OCS boats, if any. Shining a light on the flags would also be appropriate.

The course should be a Simple Sausage type course, as outlined in Part J of the SIs, probably 2 or 3 times around, i.e. an SS2 or SS3 course. One of the regular yellow race marks should be designated as the windward mark; the start line can then be set downwind from the windward mark. After the start signal, the pin or RC boat should be moved, to shorten the gate/finish line to an appropriate length. The use of an offset at the windward mark is recommended.

Traditionally, the windward mark has been illuminated with LED lights installed by the RC. The start/finish pin and RC boat are traditionally also illuminated.

The “Parade of Lights” was introduced in 2025, and proved quite popular. Boats get decked out with lights, and follow a course as shown below. Hence, the skipper’s meeting is at 2000. The RC does not have a role to in the Parade of Lights, so this gives them an additional half hour to get set up for the race.

Because of the tight turn that boats make at the southwest corner of the harbour, next to the pedestrian ramp to the docks, larger RC boats should not be parked in that corner, restricting the space available for that turn.

The Skippers Meeting should follow the following agenda:

The lead volunteer should:

• Welcome to participants.
• Confirm that all participants have registered and have either a valid PHRF handicap, or a provisional handicap. If not, they should be directed to the on-site handicapper, if available.
• Advise participants that boats must advise if there is any change to their PHRF/JAM (Flying sail vs NFS) status, from how they registered. If they do not advise the lead that they intend to switch to JAM prior to leaving the skipper’s meeting, then they will be scored with their FS handicap, if that is how they registered.
• Promote the PPSTT (Pinhey’s Point Sunset Time Trial).
• Address plans, if any, for post-race social activities.

The volunteer or the Fleet Captain should address these safety considerations.

The lead volunteer or Fleet Captain should then introduce the RO, and turn the meeting over to him/her, to cover:

• The intended course.
• Warning signal.
• Use of VHF.
• Weather considerations.
• Anything else?

The lead volunteer or Fleet Captain should then brief the plan for the Parade of Lights, to cover:

• The intended course.
• Boat spacing.
• Joining the procession.
• Turns at the end of D dock, and in the harbour .

Page updated 2025-08-26.
Page maintained by Hugh Morrin.