Doug,

Naturally it's a little more complicated than that. The system is a reliable statistical calculation based on actual results and to start making 'rule of thumb' corrections would open up a nasty political mess. However, the weak link is us...the sailors and the regatta organizers. In order for the Portsmouth number to be computed correctly, it needs the largest possible field of data. However, regatta results aren't always submitted (I would say 'rarely'). The best way we can help make these numbers more acurate is very simple: Send in your regatta results to US Sailing Portsmouth Committee!

Although there may be some ways to improve the system, it is not broken. Ask around at your next regattas if the results are sent in - offer to take care of that task if it's something that the organizers aren't very interested in. All the submission forms can be found here:

http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/forms.htm