Het antwoord
The first Attention signal is made at 10 minutes prior to start and Code Flag F is hoisted.
The boats will generally be on their assigned side of the starting area, Blue flagged vessel on the port side and Yellow flagged vessel on starboard side.
At 6 minutes, Code Flag F is removed.
At 5 minutes, the Warning signal, numeral pennant associated with the flight number, will be displayed. (note: for the Alexandra Cup series this will always be numeral pennant 1)
At 4 minutes, the Preparatory signal is given and Code Flag P is hoisted. At the Preparatory Signal, each boat must be outside of the starting area defined by a line perpendicular to the starting line through the starting mark on each boat’s assigned end. After the Preparatory signal, the boats may enter the starting area from the course side of the starting line.
This is the period where each boats works hard to find a pre-start advantage using the Rules of Sailing to their advantage.
At 2 minutes prior to start, a sound signal is made and boats must have entered the starting area. If one or both have not entered the starting area, then a Yellow or Blue flag, as appropriate, is displayed indicating that the boat has incurred a penalty.
At the Starting signal, warning and Preparatory flags are removed. If one or both vessels have crossed the starting line to the course side prior to the starting signal, then a Yellow or Blue flag, as appropriate, will be displayed until all vessels have started properly.