Finish line

The finish line page allows you to record, in real time, approximately what happens on the finish line. The finish line really requires two people to operate best, one operating the computer and the other recording the order of bows crossing the line.

In preparation, it is a good idea to have already printed out the finish pdf sheet from the List Races page. This allows the spotted to write down what they see as the boats cross. I recommend writing down the bow numbers in the order they finish.

From the List Races page, click on the Finish Line link for the race that's approaching. This link can be found in the Finish Line column.

At the top of the page are two buttons: Refresh page and Reset race. The Refresh page button is like a save button, and it updates various parts of the page. The Reset race button clears all of the race information that you might have put in, so that you can start over.

Check that you are looking at the finish line page for the race on the course.

Timing the finishes

If you have not clicked on anything, there is a large button near the bottom of the page labelled Finish!!. This is highlighted, so if you press a key on the keyboard (like the spacebar), the button will be pressed. Watch the finish line closely, and press the spacebar as each bowball crosses the line. At the same time, the spotter should be recording the order of finishes. As the Finish!! button is pressed, the table below the finish button grows with an extra row for each time the Finish button is pressed. It is important that the button be pressed punctually, as the software uses the timings of the button presses to determine the splits between crews.

Assigning race times

Once all of the boats have crossed the finish line (or even before that, if you have time) you can add the information about which crew came in first, second, third etc. Using the spotter's list as a guide, assign the finish times to the bowmarker of the boat that finished at that time. For instance, if Lane 4 finished first, click on the checkbox for Lane 4 in the first row of times. It is possible to assign more than one crew to a particular time (if there was a dead heat).

Referee race time

If the race was started on the RDS at the start line, then the RDS will have all the information it needs to calculate the race time for each crew. In this case, uncheck the box at the bottom labelled (use) next to the textboxes for inputting the Referee Race Time. Wait for the white flag, then click on the button labelled Commit race.

If not, then we rely on the times recorded by the referees following the race. Write this time on the finish line sheet along with the order of finishing, then enter it into the textboxes for Referee Race Time. The first box is for hours, the second for minutes and the third for seconds (and fractions thereof). Leave the (use) checkbox checked, wait for the white flag, then click on the button labelled Commit race.

Race under protest

If after the race there is a protest b one of the crews, and the race official raises a red flag, then the race is under protest. Click on the checkbox labelled Race is under protest, then click on the button labelled Commit race. The race calculations will not be carried out, and the Commit button functions purely as a save button to record the information you input. Later, when the protest is resolved, return to the finish line page for this race, uncheck the protest button and click on the button labelled Commit race to complete the race time, position and progression calculations.