Mark Race Starts with the Lap Button

Use the lap button on your Garmin watch to mark race starts. ChartedSails uses these to align gun time perfectly.

When racing, knowing your exact start time is crucial for analyzing your performance. ChartedSails can automatically detect race starts if you mark them on your watch using the lap button.

How it works

Most Garmin watches have a lap button (usually the BACK button during an activity). When you press it:

1. The watch creates a "lap" marker at that exact moment
2. This marker is saved in your FIT file with a precise timestamp
3. ChartedSails reads these lap markers and converts them to race starts

When to press the lap button

Press the lap button at the moment of the starting signal (the gun or horn). This marks the official race start time.

You can mark multiple starts in a single recording - useful for:

• Multiple races in a series
• Restarts after a general recall
• Practice starts

Viewing race starts in ChartedSails

After importing your activity, ChartedSails will:

1. Show race start markers on your track timeline
2. Calculate your distance and time to the start line
3. Analyze your approach and acceleration
4. Compare starts across different races

Using dedicated sailing apps

Some Garmin watches support dedicated sailing apps from the Connect IQ store that offer more features:

• Sailracer - Race timer with countdown
• Regatta - Start line distance and timing

These apps can provide countdown timers and more detailed race timing features. The race start events from these apps are also recognized by ChartedSails.

Tips for accurate start marking

1. Be consistent - Always mark the gun, not when you cross the line
2. One press per start - Multiple quick presses create multiple events
3. Practice - Try it a few times before race day
4. Check your recording - After importing, verify the start markers appear where expected

What if I forgot to press the lap button?

ChartedSails can still analyze your session, but without explicit race start markers:

• You can manually mark race starts in the session editor
• Speed patterns may help identify likely start moments
• Wind shifts and course changes can indicate race legs