7.4 Starting

7.4.1 Definitions

a. Start Point - is the center of the start ring, start line, assigned start point, or selected start point used by the competitor, as appropriate.

The first leg distance is assessed from the Start Point to first Turn Point or Assigned Area, except that, if option (a) - Start Ring is used, the first leg distance is from the center of the start ring to the first Turn Point or Assigned Area minus the radius of the start ring.

b. Start Time - is the time the competitor leaves the start ring or start point, or crosses the start line, except that if Start Times are assigned, the Start Time shall be the assigned time.

7.4.2 Start Options The Organisers shall select one start procedure for every task, but not more than two during the competition, from the following options. The Start Options selected for the Championship shall be stated in the Local Procedures. The options are:

a. Start Ring An area, formed by a circle around a start point, the defined radius being sufficient to encompassing the departure airfield and all release areas.

b. Start Line

(i) A straight line, of defined length, perpendicular to the track to the first Turn Point, or the center of first Assigned Area, or

(ii) An arc, of defined length, at a constant distance from the first Turn Point or the center of first Assigned Area.

c. Assigned Start Point Multiple start areas, defined by circles of 0.5 km radius around each start point. Each pilot shall be allocated a specific start point each day.

d. Optional Start Point Multiple groups of start areas, defined by circles of 0.5 Km radius around each start point. Each pilot shall be allocated one start group each day and shall select one of the start areas in this group.

Organisers may use Start Options a, c and d for all Tasks and Start Option b for Racing Tasks and Speed and Distance Tasks using Assigned Areas.

Organisers may only use Start Option b for Pilot Selected Speed and Distance Tasks if a mandatory first Turn Point is set.

7.4.3 Starting Procedures The start shall normally be opened 20 minutes after the take-off of the last sailplane in the class, which was in its specified grid position on time.

a. Opening of the start shall be announced by radio. The radio procedures for announcing the start shall be detailed in the Local Procedures.

b. A maximum altitude, expressed in QNH, shall be imposed prior to the opening of the start gate and shall be announced by the Organisers. The Organisers must describe the altitude procedures before starts in the Local Procedures. The altitude(s) shall be specified at the briefing and at the time of opening the start gate the Organisers may:

(i) Keep the altitude limit unchanged; or,

(ii) Raise the altitude limit to an altitude at least 300 m below the main cloud base; or,

(iii) Delete the altitude limit.

7.4.4 Validity of Starts

a. A Start is valid if the GNSS FR shows a valid fix or a straight line between two subsequent valid fixes crossing the Start Line.

b. If start option (c) is used, a valid start at an incorrect start point may be penalised.

c. If there is no proof that the competitor had a valid start after the opening of the start in his class, the start may nevertheless be validated if the competitor was within 500 m of the start line or the boundary of the start zone after the opening of the start. The start position and the start time will be derived from the closest GNSS fix, but a penalty shall be applied. If no such event is detected the competitor shall be deemed to not have a valid start.

7.4.5 Event Marker The Organisers shall state in the Local Procedures if they require the event marker to be used for marking the starts. If the event marker is to be used:

a. A minimum interval of at least 15 minutes is imposed between two consecutive starts for each competitor. The Organisers may set a longer time interval or allow only a single start.

b. A start is valid only if an event mark is recorded by the GNSS at any time after the opening of the start gate and before the start.

c. A subsequent start is invalid if:

(i) Only a single start is allowed,

(ii) The interval between the preceding start and the subsequent start is less than the minimum interval stated by the Organisers, or

(iii) No event mark is has been recorded since the last valid start.

d. If no start has been marked the competitor’s last completed start shall be validated as a start but a time penalty of 15 minutes shall be added to the competitor’s Marking Time.

7.4.6 New Starts A new valid start invalidates all previous performances of the day. Crossing a start line after passing through the observation zone of a turn point or an assigned area is not deemed to be a start unless the crossing time correlates with the pilot nominated start time (see 7.4.7).

A new takeoff does not invalidate the previous Start, if a valid start had been recorded.

7.4.7 Communication of Start Times Pilots shall communicate their start times to the Organisers within 30 minutes of their last valid start to an accuracy of two minutes and the Organisers shall publish starting times as quickly as possible. These times shall be used for display of performance and for preliminary results. Penalties may be given for non-compliance or incorrect notification.

An inaccurate start time should not be penalised if the cause of the error is due to an incomplete start, provided a previous start was correctly recorded and notified.