Hoping the Tybee race will be run under Formula 20 -
or at least F-20 concept with a first across the line wins 20 ft class . Racers may enter as Formula 20 class boats and would encourage all to do so .The Formula 18 class will hopefully also have a number of Hobie Tiger ,-Nacra F-18 s and other Formula class cats entered .
- Responded to the problems of P-rating especially as applied to this type of distance race ,-per Steeplchase results -
- Sandbaggers and ratings games
12/17/02 07:08 PM Edit Reply
The intent of writing is to encourage N A catamaran sailors to follow the instruction and suggestion for events per the
I S A F web site under rating for catamarans
As follows
Whilst it is accepted that the ideal Rating system is one which uses historical results, a Portsmouth Yardstick type system, it has proved difficult to obtain sufficient data to validate such a system around the World. The SCHRS enables new designs to be rated quickly, and allows International regattas to take place with a common handicapping system for many types of Catamaran.
It is recognized that one-design and level rating are generally a more realistic test of sailing skill. For events organised under these regulations, organizing authorities may consider separate arrangements for one-design or level rating classes present in sufficient numbers.
P-rating works to some degree with mono hull &dingy type sailing craft being more similar in design and Max hull speeds being much slower than catamarans.
Catamaran design on the other hand attain high speeds with large differences between types often more than the total top speed of most standard type dingy.s reaching 4 times there limited hull speeds .
Handicapping catamaran design ,built for high speeds under sail seems contrary to their very existance ,-their reason for development mainly over the last 50 years. The quest for higher speeds under sail, some apparently disagree, intelligent people can on this, but why apply a handicap rated system when good class racing is available not as applied to all areas of the sport it is never intended for.
If the intent of sailing catamarans is now somehow to handicap all and reward the slower ones for being sailed below their performance capabilities, - going slowly, then why not just sail the floating bathtub dingy types and be done with it. This obviously is not the intent of catamaran racing, we in N A seem to have strayed off course in this area, and lost our way. The rest of the cat sailing world does not have this problem.
Funny,and sad even our Hobie Cats now are designed and built in Europe where most of the interesting ideas and design innovation is occurring, this is due to not having true competition in our racing structure in N A,
Another interesting aspect is if asked or polled most are not drawn to artificial handicap rating notions to race. Not racing competitively in class groups or developing design innovation concepts and ideas this is never good for N A in any area, -except wine or vodka consumption maybe, -again experts can disagree here. Hobie Class racing historically has always drawn the largest percentage of N A catamaran sailors by actually advertising good class racing as it;s main selling feature. If we are to get past brand centric policies and bickering over boat types and really build the sport the best way to accomplish this is with good class racing in groups ,along with Formula groups that invite all brands to race together in length weight sail area based design class.
All types of rating systems, P-yardstick type, -or design based type like I S A F or Texel has its own flaws and faults due to averaging very diverse length, beam, sail area. Weights, rigging types, etc. in the vast array of boats we fortunately have to choose from. Each type designed with its owned unique set of design criteria in mind with boat function , -some very different than others. The intent of the designers was never to race them in large diverse groups, but in similar classes with the same or similar design measurements and sail plans.
The design based rating systems use basic design parameters in a constant formula, --see ISAF web site for standard measurements procedure and calculation as applied to each class. These rating systems do not require the task of reporting and record keeping . Problems with design based rating are the non measurable quantities involved in racing. Skippers abilities, -{what P rating is largely based in} and how well the different design aspects work together in a specific design. Does the mast fit the sail in flex and bending characteristics, does the helm balance well, is it easily sailed, balanced, some design features are not measurable or not included in basic measurements. -these are unknown and can not be measured. The result is some types of design are favored over others dependent on how the formula is structured. Current design based rating rules favor spin rigged cats and lesser sail areas. Both good characteristics in higher performance and safer easier handling, boats then need to seek better more efficient ways of using sq. ft. of sail area.
Design based rating does a better job of rating similar types of boats together, most all agree, key to race organization and structure is then to race groups of similar types together in separate starts, -intelligent people can disagree here. The advantage of design based rating is it being more integral with the intent of catamaran design and attaining higher speed under sail, always much more fun. We learn from design what makes faster better safer sailing craft. The intent of design based rating is a standard consistent means of measurement and rating based on design, hopefully rewarding those that are more efficient, better, and also benefits us all by being much more integral with Formula type racing now gaining acceptance in N A. -Again this type of racing in categorical groups is recognized as a truer form and test of sport by all.
Rating catamarans is an almost impossible task, the very different capabilities of skippers ,-the ever changing weather and sea conditions we sail in make it so. Choose your poison so to speak, or take the correct advice per ISAF. and race with priority in class racing groups and Formula groups.
P-rating seems ideal for small club groups of diverse types of boats and should be applied as many do,but only if sufficient numbers are not present for class groups.
Many clubs may look to the model CRAM uses. It has a fleet captain designated in each class,
-Class racing receives priority, though some events add an overall rated scoring in addition BUT PRIORITY AND SCORING IS ALWAYS IN CLASS. This has always served this club well over the years and has one of the largest memberships consistently over a 35-year period. If smaller clubs wish to increase membership and participation and really promote the sport of catamaran racing as their organizational constitution states then encourage class racing and new Formula class racing as the working successful model to achieve this goal.
The Alter Cup always has been a great event, but could be qualified on any rating or class system, -taking the top 20 from several classes from all major sailing groups fleets and clubs geographically.
The Alter Cup itself is always raced in class.
Currently we have a P rating system that has flaws and faults as made obvious in recent distance race results. {see posts below} .
As applied to the Tybee race all any have to do is seek a boat with a slower rated number currently assigned to it. There are a number of them due to not being sailed over a length of time by skippers of very different ability that effect times averaged out.
If the Tybee Race is raced under P-Rating a boat that appears the same or larger to most may be behind every leg of the race placing well back in the pack and somehow be declared the winner. Is this the ideal of sport of catamaran racing in North America? To some unfortunately that feel they need this type rated racing that now have a favorable rating in an artificial handicap time advantage for their particular brand boat. Is this really good for them, do they improve as sailors when a system rewards them for being slower? Does such a system that rewards slower boats encourage them to improve, to upgrade with better sails, rigging concepts, tuning and be better safer sailing craft to serve us. -Do they strive to become better sailors –there remains no true sport or incentive to under this type of P rated handicap racing. It is just another artificial handicap rating game.
. Can such a system be manipulated by the proverbial sandbaggers, -for those that know where this term derived from, -{sandbaggers}--dumping sandbags overboard on the downwind leg for added speed after meeting boat weight requirements of racing in the 1800s. ;Little really changes in ratings games or handicapping human capability and those who easily exploit it in the ratings games, the perception becomes again as it was then that it;s a game of manipulation and cheating to the general public and not really something they wish to be involved in. This greatly reduces the opportunity for sponsorship involvement for teams or events, not to mention negative impact on those in the sport itself.
Rating games.;Why choose this type of racing when good class racing is available in these distance races and most other major events with sufficient numbers in class.
Olympic competition, -America;s cup, National and World championships; most major sailing events are raced in class. Lets adopt this class priority policy in all our races in N A, and examine and compare the feasibility of changing to a designed based rating system. Again a class oriented race system as recommended per ISAF web site statement as a truer test of sport along with new Formula Class and all other good existing class racing will get us back on the right course and back to compete evenly and fairly with the rest of the catamaran sailing world.
Happy Holidays
Lets make the 03 sailing season the best ever !
Carl
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