Friday 18 May 2012

Kitesurfing Rules! Part 2

Appendix BB is changing quit a lot of definitions;
For overlap the kite does count, but for finishing it doesn't. The competitor even has to be in contact with board to be able to finish according to the definition:
Finish  A kiteboard finishes when, while the competitor is in contact with the hull, any part of her hull, or the competitor in normal position, crosses the finishing line in the direction of the course from the last mark, either for the first time or after taking a Turn Penalty under rule 44 or correcting an error made at the finishing line under rule 28.1.
So if the rider gets separated from his board just before the finish line, he has to get it back before he can cross. Or cross again with the board. I think he can swim with it, over the line - or walk with the board over the line, if the water is shallow enough, as long as he's holding on to the board. But the experts next to me here say, he should be on top of it.... kiting. (That's not what the wording states, imho). But of course they are right, Appendix BB also changes rule 42:
42 PROPULSION
A kiteboard shall be propelled only by the action of the wind on the kite, by the action of the water on the hull and by the unassisted actions of the competitor. However, the competitor shall not make material forward progress by paddling, swimming or walking.
Another definition:

Start  A kiteboard starts when, her hull and the competitor having been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her starting signal, and having complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, any part of her hull, or the competitor crosses the starting line in the direction of the first mark.
In this definition again the kite does not play any part. It may cross the line before the starting signal and may never come behind the line.


Not only many definitions have been changed. In the rules of Part 2 also a lot has been changed and/or added. For example rule 21,3 has been changed and a new rule 21.4 has been added:
21.3 During the last minute before her starting signal, a kiteboard that significantly slows down or stops, or one that is not making material forward progress, shall keep clear of all others unless she is accidentally capsized
21.4 A kiteboard that is jumping shall keep clear of a kiteboard that is not. During that time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply. If two kiteboards are jumping at the same time, then the kiteboard required to keep clear under rule 10, 11 or 12 shall do so.
In practice this means all starts are more or less flying starts. Combined with a permanent black flag starting penalty, it means riders have to stay well clear of the line in the last minute and time their approach very accurately.


We're preparing for the second race of the day. The wind has picked up and looks like it is holding steady. The finish is straight before my window in the RC-tower. I'm enjoying myself here......
Have look at the website and follow the action: Kite World Tour
J.

2 comments:

  1. Ahoy,
    Thanks for the Kite stuff.

    I run kite races from time to time in San Francisco thanks to the St Francis YC. Also a bit of the judg'n. Could you please give us some idea of the race management side of things with your kite races? Number of racers in a start, line length, any bias, wind strength, course layout, finish line length, where are the SIs available (if on line) and of course any protest committee activity. Having only seen "our way" I am curious how the rest of the world is doing things.

    John H. Super
    USSA Regional RO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm learning still.
      As far as I can see there is not much difference between race management between 'normal' races and kiteboard races. The line still has to be square, upwind is upwind and the target time is reached by setting the marks at an appropriate distance. Most finish lines are downwind. The one thing I'm not yet sure is the distance needed on the line by x number of boards. I've learned that the kite is about 33 meters from the rider but haven't worked out what this means in terms of space on the line. The upward and forward angle vary greatly. I would guess that you should need at least 10 meter per board specially because of rule 21.3 in App BB.
      In all other things approach it as a normal race.

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