Ideally in a Class Race, boats should be sorted into their classes and the fastest class should start first so that each class has clear air. If the slowest class started first, the faster boats in subsequent classes would quickly catch them up and the race would be influenced by the slower boats.

This has the unfortunate consequence that the slower boats are not only slower but also start late thus, if all classes complete the same course, the slower boats are just finishing when the crew from the fast boats have had their 'tea break' and are ready for the next race. To reduce this problem, what normally happens at SSC is that the slower boats do one lap less than the fast boats and it is the OOD's responsibility to organise this.

Flags for a Class Race

It is not practicable to have a separate start for each class so, at SSC, boats with similar speeds are grouped together. The Lasers and Enterprises start first, then the Solos, then Toppers and Mirrors and finally the Menagerie class. A 'number' flag is allocated to each class as illustrated.

Flag '1' normally allocated to Lasers and Enterprises

Flag '2' normally allocated to Solos

Flag '3' normally allocated to Toppers and Mirrors

Flag '4' normally allocated to the Menagerie class

Flag Start Sequence for a Class Race

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