Nottingham City Regatta: Competitors' Instructions

GENERAL

• Time-trials will be held between the 1500 m marker and the Finish Tower

• Side-by-side races will be over 2000 m.

• The order of races will be in line with the programme.

SAFETY

• The primary duty of every race official is to care for the safety of competitors and spectators.

• Umpires have been asked to strictly enforce the Circulation Patterns shown below. 

• We will have three safety launches operating throughout the day: at the Start, at the Finish and at 500 m.

• In case of medical emergency, all Race Officials can contact Central Medical Services, who are situated at the Finish.

• All boats may be inspected by the Control Commission before being allowed onto the water. To expedite this process, please check your own boat before boating: as a minimum we suggest checking the bow-ball, hatch covers, heel restraints, flotation bags (if fitted), quick release foot stretchers (if fitted) and (importantly) coxswains’ life jackets.

PROGRESSION SYSTEM

Time trials 

1. Time trials will take place within a single boat class.

2. Boat classes will be time trialled over 1500 m.

3. Boat classes that have between 3 and 6 entries will time trial for lanes in Final A.

4. Boat classes with more than six entries will progress to finals based on the results of the time-trial.

Places 1 - 6 : Final A

Places 7 - 12 : Final B

Places 13 - 18 : Final C

Places 19 - 24 : Final D

Places 25 - 30 : Final E

Places 31 - 36 : Final F

Finals

1. As far as possible, all finals will consist of six-lanes.

2. If the number of crews in the boat class is not a multiple of six, the lowest ranked final will consist of the remaining crews after division into six-lane finals. If that final would contain only a single crew it will not take place.

3. If there are scratchings between publication of the time trial results and the resulting finals, the finals will not be re-drawn.

MEDALS

1. In all cases the winner of an A final will receive a medal

2. Additionally, the highest placed crew in a valid event will receive a medal. A valid event is defind as one in which there are two or more entries in the draw.

Start times

• Please note that the times indicated in the schedule are starting times for time trials. That is, at the indicated time you should be above the 1500 m marker and ready to race. We suggest allowing at least 15 minutes to get to the start.

Collection of numbers

• Each crew will be issued with a paper number that should be worn on bow's back, on their racing kit.

• Paper numbers can be collected from the cabin in the boating area no more than 45 minutes minutes prior to the scheduled start time of your race.

Circulation pattern

This circulation applies for the duration of the time trials.

Note that the lakeside markers count down from the end of the lake at 2000 m to the Finish (0 m).

Getting to the Start

• Please allow sufficient time to get to the start by the scheduled time.

• Access to the Start is via Lane 7 only. No warm-up pieces are allowed in this lane.

• Crews will proceed in Lane 7 past the 1500 m marker, where they will be held by a Marshal.

The Start

• Under the Marshal’s instructions, crews will turn to starboard and paddle across to Lanes 2 & 3. 

• When directed by the Marshal, a crew will build to racing speed. In each lane, there will be a gap of at least 30 seconds between consecutive crews.

• Timing will start at the 1500 m marker. 

• If a crew is in danger of being caught up they should move from Lane 2 into Lane 1, or from Lane 3 into Lane 4 (as appropriate) so that the overtaking crew is unimpeded.

The Finish

• The finish of the time trial is at the Finish Tower - a buzzer will sound as you cross the line. 

Circulation pattern

This circulation applies from the end of the time trials until after the last race has finished.

Note that the lakeside markers count down from the Start (2000 m) to the Finish (0 m).

Weighing in (coxswains and lightweight competitors)

• Weight Certificates can be obtained from the cabin in the boating area.

• Coxes must be weighed before their first side-by-side race and will be issued with a wristband.

• Lightweight athletes will be weighed not more than two hours, nor less than one hour, before the published time of the first race in the event.

The minimum weight for coxes is 55 kg.

We will be applying Rule 2-2-1 in full (lightweight competitors): a competitors’ weight must not exceed 72.5kg (Open) and 59kg (Women).

Collection of bow numbers

• Bow numbers can be collected from the cabin in the boating area no more than 45 minutes and no less than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of your race.

Getting to the Start and warming up before the race

• Please be afloat at least 20 minutes prior to your race time. 

• Access to the Start is via Lane 7 only. Crews may warm-up in Lane 7 on the way to the start but must not do racing starts or bursts at high speed when close to other crews, or when a race is going past. 

• Crews may also warm-up in Lane 5 between the 1000 m and 500 m markers by turning carefully into Lane 5 at the 1000 m marker and then warming up in the racing direction only before turning back into Lane 7 at the 500 m marker. When warming up in Lane 5, crews must keep well clear of any races.

The Start

• Crews will proceed in Lane 7 as far as the 1500 m marker, where they will be held by a Start Marshal. 

• Under the Start Marshal’s instructions, a complete race will be called forward in REVERSE Lane Number Order (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) to proceed in that order towards the 100m Start Zone. If a crew misses its “slot” it may not be allowed to race. 

• When the Starter calls the race, crews will paddle across the course together to their allocated lane, under the direction of the 100 m Marshal. See the diagram below. 

• Only when in the correct lane will a crew be allowed to spin and back onto the start pontoon. 

• Please ensure that you are attached & ready to race TWO MINUTES in advance of your official race time.

• The start of the race will be signalled by an audible and/or visible signal. 

The Finish

• All races will end at the Finish Tower - a buzzer will sound as you cross the line. 

• Races will be timed as far as possible.

Cooling down

• Crews who have finished their race and wish to cool down should proceed in Lane 7 to the 500 m marker. 

• Here, after checking that the course is clear, they should turn into Lane 5 and paddle briskly to the Finish.

Medal presentations

• The winner of each event will be presented with a medal (this may not be the first crew in the race). Under Marshals' or Umpires' instructions the winning crew(s) should turn quickly after the finish and proceed to the presentation pontoon in Lane 0. Please do not proceed if there is a race on the final 250 m of the course - follow Marshals'/Umpires' instructions.

• Once the presentation is complete your crew will be held on the pontoon until there is a gap in racing, at which time you should push off, turn, and proceed to the boating area using Lanes 1 or 2. Do not cool down in Lane 0.