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 to record the split times 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 spotter to write down what they see as the boats cross the finish line. 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. The page will ask you to confirm that you do indeed wish to reset.

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

Timing the finishes

There is a large button near the bottom of the page labelled Finish!!. If you have not clicked on anything, it is highlighted yellow, so if you press a key on the keyboard (like the spacebar), the button will be pressed. If the Finish button is green, then you should press the small button above it labelled Ready for finish. This prepares the main Finish!! button for action.

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.

A stopwatch can be used as a backup for timing the splits between crews. Split times can be edited manually using the link Edit splits.

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, which is labelled Finish #1 is for lane. 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 is being timed by the umpires 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.

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, ensure that the Referee Race Time (use) checkbox is not checked.

Chaos at the finish line?

If you are not able to complete the collection of data before the next race comes along, click on one of the Save / Refresh buttons. This saves the data, allowing you to move on to another race, and then come back later to complete the previous race.

Committing the race information

Wait for the white flag, then click on the button labelled Calculate. Check your data carefully. The page should reload, with a green box at the top right labelled Success. The right column of the table containing the crew information should now have been updated with race times and finishing positions. Check through this and see that it looks correct.

If you are sure you have everything correct, and the judge at the finish agrees, click the button labelled Commit race.

If there is an error, look through the finish times and positions information, alter as necessary, and press Calculate again.

If the information is correct, and a button labelled Print / Tweet result is visible, you can press that to send the result sheet to the ePrinter and to tweet the result. (Note that these functions are only available if the correct email addresses have been entered into the Regatta setup information.

Race under protest

If after the race there is a protest by one of the crews, and the race official raises a red flag, the race is under protest. Click on the checkbox labelled Race is under protest, then click on the button labelled Save / Refresh. 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.

Yellow and red cards

If crew has received a warning, this can be recorded by selecting the offence from the drop down in the Status column. The violation is added automatically. Any number of violations can be recorded for a crew. The result of the violations will be applied when the race is Commited. If a violation is added in error, it can be removed using the Delete button.

Moving to the next race

You can move to the finish line page for the next scheduled race by clicking on the link near the top right of the page, which starts Next race:.