Racing Handicaps (2014)

Yachts

For 2014 there is a new handicapping scheme for yachts with introduction of Rolling Handicaps (RH), where a boat's handicap is adjusted after every race.

Handicap adjustments will be calculated by a formula defined by the RYA and Port Edgar Yacht Club. Each race will be analysed using the RYA YR2 System, to establish a Standard Corrected Time (SCT) for that race. The elapsed time of each boat, divided by the SCT and multiplied by 1000, gives its Achieved Performance for that race. The new RH value for each boat will be shifted a fraction of the way from its RH for that race towards its Achieved Performance. The fraction, or update coefficient, is 0.15 (i.e. RH shifts 15% towards achieved performance).

Slow performances are capped at +5% of the Standard Handicap for update purposes but no change is applied until two or more consecutive slow performances occur. This stops intermittent poor performances affecting RH values and reflects the RYA YR2 system ‘poor performance’ limit of +5% beyond which data should be disregarded in calculating average performance.

Fast performances are capped at -5% of the Standard Handicap for update purposes to reduce the effect of atypical performances, often caused by ‘wind-tide gate’ situations or major changes in wind strength after the leading yachts have finished.

The handicap adjustments are available for viewing:

 

Dinghies

Handicaps for dinghies are the Portsmouth Yardstick published by the RYA with the following modifications or additions:

  • Laser Fun - does not have an agreed handicap. We have provisionally given it the same handicap as a standard Laser as is sometimes done elsewhere.
  • Laser Pico - with training sails as used on the Club's boats does not have an agreed handicap. As recommended by the Pico Class Association we have assigned it a handicap of 1332 (single handed, mainsail only) and 1338 (double handed, jib and mainsail).
  • Topper Topaz  Magno - in the absence of an RYA handicap, the manufacturer's handicap recommendation of 1175 is used.
  • Byte - without the CII mast and race sail, assumed for the standard RYA handicap, we use  a PY of  1190.
  • Two-handers - class rules for  generally do not allow them to be sailed single handed, although some clubs allow this in certain circumstances with a handicap penalty. If a skipper cannot find a crew, we currently allow single-handed sailing in closed events with no handicap penalty on the understanding that skippers do not take advantage of this concession, e.g. by sailing-single handed in light winds.