Written by After a great start for the learn to Sail and Tackers teams this weekend, it is the turn of the Seniors next weekend. Unfortunately, when we set he program we were unaware that the Southport Yacht Squadron at Hollywell was planning a Cat only regatta. A number of boats will be attending that regatta so our plans will need to change.
For the best part of the season, a number of people have asked that we devise a handicapping systems to give the newer and less experienced sailors (and the old crows like Lou and me) a better chance of getting the gun.
After much discussion following the Nacra titles, the team has come up with a system that will be maintained by Tony Hannan. (thanks Tony).
All sailors will be given a time handicap that they will take into a weekend. Scratch sailors like Andrew and Peter in the A Class for example will start on the gun at 0 minutes. Less competitive sailors such as Leon and Lockie who are pretty close may be able to start 4 and 6 minutes respectively before the gun. The same would apply for the monos where for example Christo and Finn are sailing different boats an with different experience, Christo would start on the gun and Finn say 8 minutes earlier.
Race winners and placegetters will have their handicaps adjusted between races through a notice on the board on Start boat. Winners will lose 3 minutes and placegetters adjusted accordingly to the schedule being worked on by Tony.
We will have Sailing instructions ready by the weekend and a full briefing on Sunday. We will be keeping the scores for the end of year.
Bob has been busy preparing for the new format. The countdown signs for the back of the start boat are ready and look like this:
This new format is all about fun and encouragement and we do expect that everyone’s sailing standards will leap. The guns have the challenge to stay out in front and the newbies have the encouragement that comes with being there at the finish. Let’s get out and give it a go. If we need to tweak the edges so be it.
Have fun all.
