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A good start can be defined as hitting the line at full speed, with room to leeward. In this start JY 12 is on the line going full speed.  One concern is that with a few boats on her hip, she can't go right to get out of the current.

In the picture above 12 has a boat to leeward that is taking her up.  The leeward boat has to give 12 time to respond.  One technique is to ease your jib and keep the main tight.  This will create weather helm and help you carve out some space to leeward. In this picture, 12 is over early and will have to re-round, the boat to leeward, can now drive off on a close reach to gain speed before the final horn. Timing is the key. If you carve out a hole to soon, somebody might steal it.  Also knowing when to put your helm down to come up to speed in the strong currents on the river is the key.