Handicap

After the firing of the starting gun in a race a certain number of minutes are allowed for the vessels to cross the line. and if they cross within the limit, the time of their crossing is counted as the starting time; but if they do not cross within the prescribed limit the time of crossing is reckoned as the expiration of the limit, although they may not reach the line until long thereafter. This is known as being handicapped so many minutes in the start.