What do the Starter and Check Starter do, and how are false starts handled?

Starter:

• Has sole control of competitors (with the Check Starter) from handover until the race has started, including briefing them on course conditions.
• Stands elevated, or wherever they can best see the start and the Check Starter's signal.
• Makes sure competitors, water safety, duty boats, judges and equipment are in position before starting.
• Recalls the field (whistle, second gun shot or other signal) if the start was unfair.
• Can disqualify, or in beach flags eliminate, a competitor for breaking, wilfully disobeying orders or obstructing the start, and notifies the Sectional Referee.
• Ear protection is strongly recommended.

Check Starter (Break Judge): signals the Starter when competitors are in line and ready, can recall a start, and may act as a Course Judge, for example at relay changeovers.

Start sequence: "Take your marks", "Set", then "Go". If the Starter has to speak to anyone after a command, or isn't satisfied, the start is recommenced.

False starts

• The first competitor to leave their mark after "Take your marks" and before the signal is disqualified (eliminated in beach flags). Competitors who follow them are not at fault.
• Commencing a forward starting motion before the signal is a disqualification. An involuntary movement on its own is not.
• If the start was unfair because of an equipment fault or anything else not caused by competitors, it must be recalled and restarted.
• If there is no recall by the Starter, Check Starter or Chief or Sectional Referee, no protest is allowed on the start. Starters' decisions on starts can't be protested or appealed.

In water events the decision to "go" rests with the competitor, provided they don't interfere with others.