Surprised to see that some of the courses going from the gate to the finish line. If the wind stay true this means the boats crossing the line on a broad reach and with no numbers on spinnakers. I had this scenario at Whitstable when the wind went round 180 during the last leg. Makes identification of close finishes guesswork  unless the RO stations a boat to windward of the line to relay boat numbers by radio or to record the results. 

Hi Alan,
 
This isn't a new idea and has been used many times before with numerous other classes, though it is uncharted territory for us. The Fireballs used this system last year with the same race officer/team with no issues.
 
If the wind goes round 180 degrees any finish line could be chaotic, spinnaker numbers or no!

Hi Alan, many thanks for the feedback. I think the geometry of the diagram is a little misleading. In reality the gate marks are much closer to 4, the beat is much longer and hence the 2 reach finishes are at a very similar angle. If we get a 180 shift at least it will still be a reaching finish! Anything between and we'll find out how flexible the Race Officer is.

Afternoon Alan, Hope all is well. Dad KBO and enjoying the summer. Skiffs across the board have been running downwind finishes since the early 1990s. It actually adds a very interesting dynamic, especilly with a leaward gate, which the Merlins do not unfortunately have off the run (go thit more times than I like to remember by the same boat at Whitstable Nats 2015). Referencing kites covering the numbers, option is a leeward boat on the line and videoing the finish. Only ever had one deadheat and that was in Tassie with of all people Nick Craig in the B14s. For a 2 race day, I think it the best option and hope it goes well. No orange mains either to confuse the line ;). Won't be doing that one again 

All start and finish lines should be video'd these days at a nationals

All start and finish lines should be video'd these days at a nationals

 Alan, Having been with the same Race Team for the Fireball Worlds at Pwhelli, I can confirm that this finish works really well. Unlike the classic 'beat to the finish' (where the leading boat can cover the boats behind)  the last reach across can put the boat ahead at risk of double attacks, some of those going high. others going low - it certainly adds to the excitement. I now look to include this set up whenever possible when running events. BUT - as you rightly say, if there aren't numbers on the spinnaker then a second recording position at the other end of the line is a must.
 
Dougal 

Really looking forward to all those entries flooding in so we can give the Race Officer a real challenge on the finish line