3 laps counterclockwise

From warm-up to start

The 6 boats "pit-out", or leave the starting pit at the same time but before crossing the starting line, they warm up by sprinting around a mark and then slowing down and jockeying for position.

The Boat Racers watch a needle on the giant clock and in the last few seconds before the needle hits the top “0” point, they sprint towards the start line. Once they have crossed the starting line, the boats compete for the lead whilst racing around the 1st and 2nd turn markers a completing 3 laps around the dedicated course (3 laps @ 600 metres / lap = 1800 m).

A unique way races start

Unlike the "standing start" used in athletic events, Boat Race uses a "flying start" system in which boats must pass the starting line within a fixed time frame.

Flying (F) and Late (L) starts

In a BOAT RACE, a boat can take advantage by passing the starting line ahead of all the other boats BUT if a boat crosses the line too early before the needle on the giant clock hits 0, it's called a "flying start" and the racer is disqualified.