The Start Official ensures that an accurate record of actual starting participants is recorded at Classic Series events for safety purposes. A Start Official is at the start for the duration of the event’s start window.
Start Officials perform the following tasks:
- Ticking participants’ names off the entry list and confirm their SI number and course selection.
- Updating any SI number changes.
- Ensuring all participants punch the Master Check unit.
- Ensuring participants start on the correct course.
- Adding late entrants to the entry list, including their SI number and course selection.
- Directing late entrants to available late entry courses.
- Reporting the complete list of actual starters, course selections, and SI numbers to the computer operator.
- If applicable, reminding participants of important safety and course information.
Contents
Updating the Start List
It is important that an accurate list of starters is available for safety purposes.
The printed entry list only includes the details of entrants’ as recorded in Eventor prior to the standard entry deadline.
For all starters the list must be updated to record starters’:
- Name
- SI number
- Course selection
In particular, starters’ SI numbers frequently differ from those registered; any changes must be recorded.
It is not essential to record participants’ start times.
Late Entrants
Entries for most non-championship Classic Series events close on the Wednesday before each event. The printed event entry list provided to the start official will include only these entries.
Late entry is available for specific courses only until 5pm on the day before the event. These late entrants will not be on the printed entry list and must be added by the Start Official, including the participant’s name, course, and SI number.
A limited number of spare maps are available for late entrants on specific courses only, typically Hard 4, Moderate 2, Easy, and Very Easy. Late entrants must be directed to these courses.
Master Check Unit
The Start Official is responsible for ensuring that all starters punch the Master Check unit. The Master Check unit is used to provide an additional record of all starting participants.
There may be more than one check unit available at the start area for participants to use prior to their start but there is only one Master Check unit handled by the Start Official.
The backup of the Master Check unit should be cleared prior to the event start using a ‘Clear Backup’ SI stick.
Providing the Start List to the Computer Operator
Once the start window has ended, the Start Official must provide the Computer Operator with the updated start list so that the Computer Operator can make any required changes to participants details and remove any entrants who did not start.
The Master Check unit should also be provided to the Computer Operator.
The Computer Operator can then verify which of the entered participants have actually started and which participants have not yet downloaded. The Computer Operator also advises the Event Safety Coordinator of any missing participants, including their start time and course.
Advising Participants
The start official may provide additional reminders to participants about important safety or course information. However, this information should primarily be conveyed to participants prior to the event and on the notice board at assembly area.
Events With Multiple Starts
For events with more than one start there must be a Start Official at each start with their own Master Check unit.