Yachting New Zealand will be running a Match Racing Umpires Course on 10-13 September at RNZYS/Bucklands Beach Yacht Club. This will be lead by Wayne Boberg, our new Umpire Coordinator, and run with two evening seminars before the Bucks Match Race finals during the weekend for on the water experience. I attended the course in Wellington (as did Bernie) last month and it was truly excellent. Attendance would help hugely with your umpiring skills and rules knowledge.
Don't worry about the fact it is Match Racing. The rules are the same, but more precisely applied because there are only two boats and they manouver at a slower rate. This makes applying the rules and definitions a lot easier. The flag flying is a little different also. Should you decide to attend, you can download the Match Racing Call book and Umpires and Match Racing Manual from the ISAF website. Another useful aid is the book "The Rules in Practice" by Brian Willis.
Please note there are also plans for Teams courses also aimed at National exam standard, but to my knowledge these have not gelled yet with firm dates. Although the exams are the same, the on the water assessments are of course discipline specific and it is the YNZ intention to have separate qualifications at National Umpire level for the two disciplines. The International qualification will remain as a single one.
If you wish to attend, there is information on the YNZ website under Technical / seminars and training. Email Gerry Booth (gerry@yachtingnz.org.nz) at YNZ for further information and to make a booking. Please note that the seminar is free.
The course is also be suitable for senior sailors with an interest in Match Racing to get a better idea of how the umpires think, and also of the rules in practice as seen from a top International Mach Racing Umpire.
Cheers, Tim Short, Secretary NZTSA
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