Simple question— where is the start line?

My initial thought was the leeward side of the buoys on the water marking the ends of the line, not a mark on the far shore or on the shoreline used by the skippers or observers. Someone recently suggested the centreline of the two buoys but I googled it today and Google AI says the windward side of the two start line limit buoys and I’m inclined to believe this but we know AI can be a very convincing liar!!

It is a line connecting the course side of the two marks.

so it you are sailing to windward for your first leg, then a line between the two windward edges of the marks.

In the same way, the finish is the course side. So if finishing to windward, a line between the two leeward edges of the marks.

that’s the simple answer. There are other things that impact the finish line

Thank you Wayne. I wonder how many people who race every week were wondering?? I suppose those aiming for the leeward side of the start line are automatically always ‘safe’ ?!!!🤣😂

HI Simon, and yes, Wayne is correct.

I cover this in my chapter 2 The Start and see page 7.

https://sites.google.com/site/johnsrcsailingrulesandtactics/

By default, the RRS Appendix E 3.4 says

E3.4 Starting and Finishing

(b) The starting and finishing lines shall be between the course sides of the starting and finishing marks.

The exception would be if the Race Officer announced something different as the Skippers' Meeting when describing the course marks.

John

Thank you John