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| Background
How the speed course works |
The objective for competitors at
Weymouth Speed Week is to sail as fast as they are able over a distance of 500 metres,
about one third of a mile. At a fast speed of 30 knots it will take approximately 30
seconds to cover 500 metres. For optimum speed competitors require to sail 'off the wind' on a broad reach. The best angle will depend on the design of the boat or board, the windspeed and the sea state. Typically the angle is in the range of 20 to 30 degrees downwind component. The speed course is laid by anchoring one boat and then moving a second boat to be 500+ metres away. Wind direction and sea state is checked, based on the findings one boat or the other is moved fore or aft to get the correct course angle.
The course length is accurately measured using a laser range finder. A compass bearing is taken between the start and finish boats. This is then used to set up a perpendicular 'transit line' marked by buoys fore and aft of the finish boat, and a buoy aft of the start boat. The course is thus defined by sailing aft of the start boat but up wind of the transit line buoy. At the finish end competitors can cross in front of or behind the finish boat as they wish. The timing equipment at the start and finish are in radio contact. As soon as a competitor is started the finish boat can 'see them' on their computer screen and prepare to finish them as they approach the finish line.
In practice this means that more than one competitor can be on the course at the same time. The system allows many hundreds of runs to be made in a single day. All the start time, finish time, associated windspeed and sail number data is held on the computers. At the end of the day a sorting program is run which then prints out the results. The data also allows competitors to compare their technique or modifications by printing out sail speed to wind speed ratio. A good windsurfer can sail at twice the windspeed. Amended 08/04/06 |
By convention Weymouth Speed Week is run on a port
course, unless conditions dictate otherwise. Some competitors have boats which are
asymmetric and designed to sail at their best when rigged for one tack. 
When all of the timing equipment is set up and tested
the course is opened by flying a green flag at the start boat. Competitors are then able
to enter the course as and when they wish, the only proviso being that if they start too
close together then only one person will be started as it takes 10 seconds to enter the
details. It is thus in their interest to space their start from other competitors.