All happy with new race system

This year the Maadi Regatta is running smoothly thanks in part to the alphabet.

The alpha-numerical system for ordering races has been in place for two years and involves each boat displaying a placard at the front with a letter and number on it.

The letter refers to which race they’re in and the number refers to which lane they race in. Don Craig, convener of Karapiro race committee, said: “Before [the teams] just had to remember the race numbers but now we use the alphabet instead. The day starts with race A and it just goes in order from there.”

The coxes go to the marshals’ hut to collect their number before they get on the water.

The new system means officials can check to see who has already left for the start line.

Margaret Webster from Rowing NZ said it made it easier to tell who’s on the water. “Before you couldn’t really tell if someone was missing, but now you can hurry them along from that end.”

With the old system, teams would have to memorise the races before theirs to figure out when to get in place.

Craig said “Now the teams at the start line will stay in groups of letters until it’s time to race.”

Cox Eden Cross from Southland Girls High School, and carrying K3, said the system worked well:  “It’s very easy to follow.”