Umpires section
The regatta is very easy to get to. However, DO NOT attempt to go into St Neots town centre [unless coming from the East, maybe.[ Even then best avoided!]. Get on to the A1 and take the B645 east bound junction [the middle turn off for St Neots]. Go down the hill about ¾ mile. Regatta field is clearly visible on your left, entrance near pedestrian crossing lights. Show parking guys your permit, and park behind refreshment tent. Please try to arrive at regatta at least 20 min before the start of your shift.
On arrival DO NOT go to either the finish tent or control tent. Please go to the small ‘hospitality’ tent just upstream of control tent, before the landing stages tent. I should be there to meet you but if I am not there please go to Race control and ask for me or Chris Leaf over the PA.
Your equipment will be issued and returned there and you can use it as a base throughout the regatta. Please DO NOT enter the Judging area at any time unless you are actually on duty. This is to avoid distractions to those judging etc.
Control Commission should aim to be in place 20 mins before racing starts, though can end about 20 mins earlier at end of day.
Racing STARTS 9.00am Saturday, 8.30am Sunday, your duty is set to start 15-20 mins BEFORE this. If you are off duty, please go to your next duty or ferry point near your tent 5 – 10 min before your start time so people can move to next duty.
All Umpires, except Judges and CC will need boat transport. Please assemble around 10 mins early at pickup point just above finish. If you do have your own lifejacket please bring it with you. As most of you know, all umpire points are quite exposed, so please bring wet weather and sun protection gear with you.
At duty changeover please stay at your post until the relief arrives. This is essential. If you are more than 5 min late being relieved please radio in and a reserve should be sent down to you.
Duties and areas of operation are in the notes, but please use your discretion, particularly with less experienced crews. Note that in a strong wind we may alter the area you operate to improve audibility.
It is a tricky course to steer and it is preferable to complete races without collision where possible. Clashes always lead to bad feeling, recriminations and delays to following races. Without actually assisting crews, please do all you can to avoid incident by early action, while still ensuring a fair result.
The First Umpire [1] ,Bend [2] and ‘Lower Field’ [3] umpires are particularly requested to act promptly to avoid collisions. There is a very big entry and incidents delaying races should be avoided wherever possible. Be aware of local rules for steering – see notes.
Please DO NOT radio through every warning you have to give, to avoid radio congestion. However, if a crew DOES NOT RESPOND to your warning, this non-compliance should be radioed through to all stations. Please remember action on an incident in your patch is primarily YOUR decision, not the co-ordinating umpire’s, though he should be informed of serious incidents. They will only be involved where an incident extends over much of the course and they will then ask for comments from all officials involved.
Should a race stop, or have to be stopped, in your area, immediately contact Start and previous Umpire, to warn or stop the following race. If needed, also summon the safety boat who is on your radio channel.
Old hands may notice Umpire positions and duties are not quite where they were in years past, plus one extra station. The changes were made 2 years ago to improve contact between crews and umpires. Points 1&2 are on small towers adjacent to the river.
The new ‘Umpire 1’ is midway between start and bend umpire 2 (Saturday only).
Lower field Umpire 3 is no longer on field but directly opposite on moored boat area. Finish [4] Umpire is located downstream from finish, not in the main tent, but on the opposite bank below rowing club on a narrow boat.