Create new race replays in TackTracker using the Track Loader and Race Editor.
The Track
Loader is used to load in Tracks, either from a GPS or file into a Loaded Tracks
holding area. It can also save tracks from the holding area into matching races, and create
new races.
The Race Editor is used to edit an existing race and to define the course and marks.
The Race Editor has four tab pages:
· Start Time: Set the start time(s) for the race
· Course and Marks: Define the course and lay the marks
· Tracks: Edit tracks in the race, to set the name, color and other details.
· Options: Other optional settings.
Each page is described in detail below:
1. Start Time
Use the Start Time page to adjust the start time defined for the race. Normally, a race has only
one start time. You can change the start time by either
· typing the time in the Start Time: text box
· moving the Timeline to the start time then clicking the Set button
If you created your race with TackTracker R4.0 or later, you will also see a timeline for the race.
This timeline is not visible when editing races created with earlier versions. You may use the
timeline to adjust the the right end marker which specifies the end time for all tracks added to the
race.
If you have a Club Tools License, you may also define multiple starts. This is useful when
multiple classes are sharing the same course but have a staggered start. Another application is
pursuit races.
2. Course and Marks
Use the Course and Marks page to:
· Define the course. Specify a list of mark names in rounding sequence, each
separated by a space. Do not include the start and finish.
· Use a name with a dash, e.g. "2-2" to specify a pair of gate marks.
· You may type the course, or select from a pre-defined list
· Lay the Start Line, Finish Line and Marks. Click on each mark in turn and move
your cursor to the plot window. Click in the plot window to lay the mark.
· You may repeat the process as often as needed.
· When you move your mouse outside the plot window, the mark lay mode will
be cancelled.
· You may also type the Latitude and Longitude in the text boxes if you prefer.
For example, consider the course below:
Note that you do not include the start and finish line when typing the course.
If your course uses the same line for the start and finish, check "Finish through the start line" so
that you don't have to lay the Finish line.
Mark Tools
In addition to the marks, three special tools are provided:
· Use the Add Hazard tool to lay a named "Hazard" that is not a mark of the course, but is
relevant to the race replay.
· Use the Mark Lay Tool as an alternative way to re-lay a mark. Select the mark to move
in the plot window and then click its new position.
· Use the Mark Drag Tool to make a mark move during the replay. This is useful if the
mark moves due to tide or wind change. See Mark Movement during a Race
for detailed
instructions.
Gate Marks
A gate mark is actually two marks that boats must pass between. TackTracker allows you to
define and lay gate marks as part of your course.
To specify a gate mark, your mark name must contain a dash "-". For example, "A-A" or "1a-1b".
The names either side of the dash are used to identify each side of the gate.
To lay a gate, lay first one side, then the other, similarly to laying a start line.
As boats may round either side of the gate, TackTracker draws the rhumb line to the center of the
gate. See the example below:
If you wish, you may type the coordinates of each end of the Gate Mark.
When a Gate Mark is selected, radio buttons appear, letting you choose which end of the mark
the coordinates apply.
Select the Gate A and Gate B buttons in turn to view or edit the coordinates for each end of the
gate.
Training Session
Training sessions differ from races in that even though marks are often used, boats often will not
all follow the same course and round all marks in the same order.
TackTracker offers a Training Session mode, to make it easy to analyse your training.
1. Select "Training Session" as your Course
2. Type a space separated list of mark names used. You do not need to worry about the
rounding sequence - and each mark need be listed only once.
3. Click Apply.
TackTracker will automatically detect mark roundings and determine the course for each boat.
3. Tracks
Use the Tracks Page to edit tracks in your race. The current track is shown. You can change
the current track in the Select Tab or using the Select Track drop-down.
The standard fields are:
Name: This is what appears in the plot window and is also used for the track file name.
Something short, that best identifies the boat - such as a skipper's name or sail number is
best.
Details: Other identification information - displayed in the Select tab.
Color: A color will be selected for you. You can select another color if you wish.
Craft: Select the best representation of your craft: select from Small Mono, Large Mono,
Catamaran and Sailboard.
Length: The length of the boat. Used to provide an accurate to-scale representation
when zooming in.
Use the "Apply All" buttons to apply the specified Craft type or Length to all boats in the race.
Additional Fields:
Club Tools users will also see:
TCC: A Time Correction Constant, or handicap. Used to provide a corrected placing
during the race replay.
Navigation rally users will see:
Speed: Nominated speed for the competitor.
4. Options
Currently only one option is available:
· Rotate course in Auto replay: When playing the replay in Auto mode, the course will be
rotated so that the rhumb line for the first leg will be vertical on the screen. Uncheck this box
if your course is a cruise or otherwise not suited for rotation.
