How do I start a race, and where does the Race Umpire position the launch?

Question

Accepted Answer

Start procedure (rule 10.3): crews attach to their start platforms at least two minutes before the start. The Starter announces "Two minutes", checks the Race Umpire and Judge at the Start are ready, calls the roll in lane order, checks the Judge at the Start still shows crews aligned, says "Attention", raises the Start Flag, pauses clearly and variably, then drops the flag and says "Go". The Judge at the Start alone decides whether boats are correctly aligned and whether there was a false start (rule 10.2). False start: the Starter stops the race with an audible device and the waving red flag, and awards a Yellow Card to the crew the Judge at the Start names (rule 10.7). Your position (rule 11.16.4): stand upright in the boat if it is large and stable enough to do so safely. Your launch should be immediately beside the Judge at the Start or behind the crews, in the centre of the course. If the start is faulty for any reason, stop the race with an audible device and the waving red flag. As soon as the race starts, follow the competitors in the centre of the course or the lanes occupied. On the way to the start, inspect the course installations and satisfy yourself there are no obstacles. Report any defect to the Chief Umpire and inform affected crews (rule 11.16.2).