What happens if a crew is late to the start or arrives with a damaged boat?

Late crews

• Crews must be at the start ready to row two minutes before the start time.
• A crew arriving after that gets a yellow card from the umpire.
• If not all crews are present, the umpire must not begin starting procedures sooner than two minutes before the scheduled start. If everyone is there and the course is clear, the umpire may get going.
• Unless the President of the Jury instructs otherwise, the umpire may start without absent or late crews.

Damaged boat or equipment

• A crew whose boat or equipment is damaged on the way to the start, or in a holding area, can tell the umpire.
• After examining the damage and consulting the President of the Jury, the umpire decides whether to reject the claim, allow repairs or delay the start.

Before starting, the umpire:

• Inspects the course on the way up to make sure the installations are in order and there are no obstacles.
• Checks that crews on the water are following the traffic rules.
• Takes the roll call and checks bow numbers and equipment.
• Decides, in bad weather, whether the race may start, continue or must be stopped.
• If a race has to be postponed, agrees the new time with the President of the Jury and, where possible, tells the crews before they leave the start.

Withdrawals: if crews withdraw, the umpire may combine or cut races after informing the President of the Jury and the finish judge.