Test Start

Before racing begins, call down to the starting line for a test start. The test is different if the timers are using Finishlynx or HereNow Timer iPads to start the race. Each workflow is describe here.

Finishlynx Starts

With Finishlynx timing, the preferred method of starting a race is a Radiolynx starter because Radiolynx can hook up directly to a starting light system. With Radiolynx there will NOT be a starting indicator in the Referee app because the Finishlynx system does not expose the start times to other applications. To do a Radiolynx test plunge:

  1. Chief Judge at the finish calls down to the start to request a 3-2-1 test plunge.
  2. The Starter (or Assitant Starter) counts down “3-2-1” and then presses the starting button.
  3. The Finishlynx timers confirm reception of the starting signal
  4. If the starting signal is not received by the camera, the timers make technical adjustments after which the Chief Judge should repeat the Test Start process.

Note: Some race courses have trees, hills, penninsulas, etc… that can interfere with a Finishlynx start. Weather may also affect starting signals as wet leaves on trees interfere with a signal more than dry leaves. In the case that a starting signal can not make it from the starting line to the finish line, the standard fallback is to use a HereNow Timer iPad to start the race.

HereNow Timer iPad Starts

With iPad timing, do the following to test the start:

  1. The Chief Judge asks the starting line to give a test start in the first flight of the session.
  2. The Chief Judge turns the iPad to landscape orientation to be able to see raw start/finish times.
  3. The Starter (or Assistant Starter) counts down “3-2-1” and then presses the timing button on the iPads.
  4. The Chief Judge confirms reception of the starts. When using both a primary timing iPad and backup timing iPad, confirm that starts were received in both timing systems.

Timing Each Flight

The core piece of the work at the finish line is to compare electronic times against stopwatch times. The Timing screen shows all of the times in a form that may be easily compared against the information from the stopwatches. When a flight is done, you may change the flight status to Official.

Sprint Timing Screen

Notes about Different Sprint Workflows

At most events, when the flight is over, times are in, and white flags have been exchanged, the Chief Judge should mark a race Official. If there are rare subsequent changes, the Chief Judge should mark the event Revised and add a public note.

In the USA at national championship events with boat weigh ins, the chief judge must make sure the flight is marked Unofficial, and then the referee conducting the boat weigh ins after a flight will mark the event Official. After any rare subsequent changes, the chief judge should mark the flight Revised and add a public note.

FISA regattas and National team regattas use FISA workflow. At the end of a flight, the Chief Judge marks the race Official, clicks the digital sign-off button, and prints out the results. If a boat is under weight, the chief referee will mark the crew relegated or excluded, and then the Chief Judge should mark the flight Revised and add a public note.