RACE MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM

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Sail Canada’s Race Management Program aims to ensure that volunteers organizing and running sailing competitions have competent regatta management knowledge and skill. The program comprises four levels: two delivered provincially and the higher two delivered nationally. Please review the overview section below for summaries of each level (and full criteria through the links with each summary).

OVERVIEW

RACE OFFICER

A Race Officer is an on-the-water manager who is in charge of running the sailing race with overall responsibility for the conduct of racing on a race course. A Race Officer has an overview of what is happening around the entire race course and should make decisions such as necessary course changes, postponements, etc.

Assistant Race Officer (ARO)

An Assistant Race Officer is capable of assisting in the running of a race as a member of the Race Committee crew of a regatta. Certification requires the successful completion of the 4-hour Sail Canada ARO Race Management Course. Applications for certification and re-certification are handled by the Provincial Sailing Associations in ON, BC, and QC and by Sail Canada for all other applicants.

ASSISTANT RACE OFFICER CRITERIA

Club Race Officer (CRO)

A Club Race Officer manages the water activities of regattas at the club level. Certification requires the successful completion of the 12-hour Sail Canada CRO Race Management Course and a record of practical experience in Race Committee organization. Applications for certification and re-certification are handled by the Provincial Sailing Associations in ON, BC, and QC and by Sail Canada for all other applicants.

CLUB RACE OFFICER CRITERIA

Regional Race Officer (RRO)

A Regional Race Officer manages the ‘on the water’ activities of provincial, regional and national championships, utilizing a variety of race and course formats. Certification is handled by Sail Canada and requires a minimum of two years of service as a CRO and successful completion of the Sail Canada Advanced Race Management Course.

REGIONAL RACE OFFICER CRITERIA

National Race Officers (NRO)

A National Race Officer is capable of managing, as Race Officer or Principal Race Officer, the ‘on-the-water’ operations of national and international championships of above-average size and complexity. The NRO is familiar with all racing formats and has experience in every area of conducting a multi-class regatta from participation as a member of the OA to leader of the race committee. Certification is handled by Sail Canada and requires a minimum of two years of service as an RRO, successful completion of the Sail Canada Advanced Race Management Course, evidence of experience at different venues, and an ‘on-the-water’ assessment.

NATIONAL RACE OFFICER CRITERIA

International Race Officers (IRO)

An IRO is responsible for the Organization and management of International racing events and may serve as the RO, the PRO, as a Class appointed Course Representative, a Member National Authority (MNA) appointed Course Representative or as a World Sailing-appointed Course Representative Certification. Certification is handled by World Sailing but prior to being nominated as an IRO candidate by Sail Canada, the applicant must be approved by the Sail Canada RMSC. Approval criteria consist of verification by the Sail Canada RMSC of the requirements stated in World Sailing Regulations.

PROCESS FOR SAIL CANADA ENDORSEMENT OF OFFICIALS SEEKING WORLD SAILING CERTIFICATION

INTERNATIONAL RACE OFFICER CRITERIA

MARK LAYER

Assistant Mark Layer (AML)

An Assistant Mark Layer is capable of assisting a mark layer as a member of the Race Committee crew of a regatta. Certification is by application to the Provincial Sailing Association and requires successful completion of the 4-hour Sail Canada Assistant Mark Layer Course.

ASSISTANT MARK LAYER CRITERIA

Mark Layer (ML)

A Mark Layer is capable of managing the mark-laying operations of a regatta as part of the Race Committee crew. Certification is by application to Sail Canada and requires successful completion of the 6-hour Sail Canada Mark Layer Course and experience as a Mark Layer at a minimum of 2 provincial or higher level regattas.

MARK LAYER CRITERIA

COURSE CONDUCTOR

Race Management Course Conductor

A Race Management Course Conductor (RMCC) is an RRO or higher who has been trained to present Sail Canada Race Management Seminars Courses to those seeking certification as ARO, CRO, AML, or ML. Certification is by application to Sail Canada. Candidates must have experience organizing and conducting two Race Management courses under the supervision of a certified Race Management Course Conductor.

RACE MANAGEMENT COURSE CONDUCTOR CRITERIA

Race Management Master Course Conductor

A Race Management Course Conductor (RMMCC) is an NRO or higher who has been trained to present Sail Canada Advanced Race Management Seminar Course to those seeking certification as RRO or NRO. Certification is by application to Sail Canada. Candidates must have a minimum of 2 years experience as a Race Management Course Conductor and act as an apprentice at a Sail Canada Advanced Race Management Course.

RACE MANAGEMENT MASTER COURSE CRITERIA

RACE MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE

Sail Canada’s Race Management Program aims to ensure that volunteers organizing and running sailing competitions have competent regatta management knowledge and skill. The program comprises four levels: two delivered provincially and the higher two delivered nationally. Sail Canada’s Race Management Sub-Committee (RMSC) manages the program. The RMSC is responsible for the training and certification of Race Management Officials to ensure that sailing events in Canada are conducted as per the Racing Rules of Sailing. The RMSC comprises a Chair and a minimum of four appointed members representing different regions of the country.