The standard sequence under Racing Rules of Sailing rule 26 is a warning signal at five minutes (class flag up), a preparatory signal at four minutes (flag P or another preparatory flag up), one minute (preparatory flag down, long sound) and the start (class flag down).
Rule 26 of the Racing Rules of Sailing sets out the usual sequence, timed from the starting signal. Sailing instructions can change it, and some clubs use a shorter sequence, so check them.
- 5 minutes, warning signal: the class flag is raised, with one sound.
- 4 minutes, preparatory signal: a preparatory flag is raised, with one sound. From now on the boats are racing.
- 1 minute: the preparatory flag is lowered, with one long sound.
- 0, starting signal: the class flag is lowered, with one sound.
The preparatory flag tells you what rules apply to being near the line in the last minute:
- P: the normal start. If you are over the line at the start, return and start properly.
- I: if you are on the course side of the line or its extensions in the last minute, you must return to the pre-start side by sailing across one of the line's extensions, in effect round one end, before starting.
- Z: a boat in the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark in the last minute gets a scoring penalty, usually 20 per cent.
- U: a boat in that triangle in the last minute is disqualified, unless the start is recalled.
- Black flag: as U, but the disqualification stands even if there is a general recall.
The times are taken from the visual signals, the flags, not the sounds. If a sound is late or missing, ignore it and go by the flag. Start your watch on the five-minute signal and check it at four and at one.
Other flags you may see at a start: AP (answering pennant) means the start is postponed; X after the start is an individual recall; and the First Substitute means a general recall, with the whole sequence started again.
With several classes, the warning signal for the next class is often made at the same time as the previous class starts, so listen and watch for your own class flag.
More in the book: Chapter 15, Your first race