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Scuttlebutt News:
Starting System Flag Rule Quiz
by Glenn McCarthy

Here's a closed book rule quiz, with the questions pertaining to the use of the following starting flags:

1) The X-Flag "Individual Recall"
Part A - Does it involve being over: just the starting line; over the starting line or the extensions of the starting line; or, the triangle of the starting line and the first mark?
Part B - Does it apply: at the start gun; or, beginning 1 minute before the start?


2) The I-Flag "Round-an-end rule"
Part A - Does it involve being over: just the starting line; over the starting line or the extensions of the starting line; or, the triangle of the starting line and the first mark?
Part B - Does it apply: at the start gun; or, beginning 1 minute before the start?


3) The Z-Flag, "20% Penalty Rule"
Part A - Does it involve being over: just the starting line; over the starting line or the extensions of the starting line; or, the triangle of the starting line and the first mark?
Part B - Does it apply: at the start gun; or, beginning 1 minute before the start?


4) The Black Flag Rule, "Death rule"
Part A - Does it involve being over: just the starting line; over the starting line or the extensions of the starting line; or, the triangle of the starting line and the first mark?
Part B - Does it apply: at the start gun; or, beginning 1 minute before the start?


The answers are:
1. (X) Just the starting line when the gun goes off.

2. (I) Over the starting line and the extensions of the line beginning 1 minute before the start.

3. (Z) The triangle of the starting line and the first mark beginning 1 minute before the start.

4. (Black) The triangle of the starting line and the first mark beginning 1 minute before the start.

Did you have these answers memorized before this quiz? These are the "simplified rules” which seem anything but. I look at it this way. First, the rules should be simple for all of us to remember (not just the racers, but the race committee calling the line too). Second, to properly execute the I, Z, and Black Flag rules, a RC boat is needed at both ends of the line to call the other end's extension, but most racing has only one RC boat.

To make "simplified rules" here is what I propose. The X-Flag is only being over the starting line at the start gun (no change). The remaining three rules (I, Z, Black) encompass only the triangle of the starting line and the first mark beginning 1 minute before the start (requires a change only to the I-Rule). This is simple for racers and the RC to remember and execute, no?

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