Head of the Ohio

LAUNCHING

All crews will launch from the docks set up at the Heinz Field boat ramp. Crews will row upstream the full length of the course, then turn to race downstream. At the conclusion of the race be prepared to slow down quickly and follow the directions of the course marshals as the dock area is about 200 meters from the finish line. Please remember there is no room for an on-the-water cool down.

No crew may launch after 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening. Docks will close at 7:00 p.m. when all boats must be off the water. Crews practicing prior to race day do so at their own risk. Normal river traffic (recreational and commercial) will be on the rivers. We strongly encourage that crews exercise caution and request assistance from local crews and coaches more familiar with the rivers. Normal road traffic will be on North Shore Drive on Friday.

When launching from the Heinz Field docks competitors have the row to the start as their warm-up. Follow the instructions of the three marshals in the starting area.

Each entrant must be in the starting/marshalling area ten (10) minutes prior to their scheduled starting time. The dockmaster will make several calls for launching crews. The start will be in sequence of bow markers. Boats must pass through the chute at the starting area to be official. Boats arriving more than thirty (30) seconds after the last entrant has started will, at the discretion of the starter, be allowed to row at the end of the race. Such boats may be timed, but not ranked.

While racing, boats must stay on the designated buoyed course with buoys located on the right descending bank to the port side. Oar blades may go over buoys but the hull of the shell must stay on the course. Any shell being overtaken must grant the right-of-way and move or be penalized. A shell being approached from behind must give way to the approaching boat by moving towards their port side and allowing the other boat passage on their starboard side. This must occur by the time the approaching boat is within one boat length of open water. Boats overtaking others must not force boats being overtaken any farther out of the way than is necessary to complete an unimpeded pass. No boat should press its right of way to the point of collision.

The finish is clearly marked by two large yellow buoys. Once beyond the buoys, crews must immediately continue towards the dock area.