Pondicaps...ffs.

Well today I finally won a race on the lake after the times were corrected, I couldn't believe it it's the 2nd week running I'd finished ahead, i thought I'd done enough last week, but a couple of minutes isn't enough to clear a Laser.

Then this week 'have you got that fiver you promised us' came the call from the race team and they announced I'd done it, oh and that last weeks was wrong and I'd won that as well, elation however soon gave way when i saw what had happened.

They've been fiddling like the Sailjuice lot on that infernal Sailwave machine and it's spat out a handicap for me of 1062, and 1102 for the Laser, so I'm now none the wiser as to what would have been the result at 1024 v 1088, not that I should given I already think 1088 is too much for the Laser, but in my mind 1062 is over generous with mine, but against what and how, it's silly stupid confusing and very very annoying, I don't feel I've achieved anything, other than maybe bragging rights back at Hythe in the bar, right up until they hear what my bloody handicap now is...

You have to just ignore it all and enjoy the over the water result which was a good race anyway I guess.

Edited by iGRF - 30 Apr 14 at 7:36pm

I think you're over analysising it. Bottom line - well done, the spreadsheet monkey says you won... No need for feeling like it's a shallow victory!

Even simpler - ask your RO for the elapsed times and number of laps and use a calculator (usually free on your phone) to do the simple sum
time in seconds x 1000 / handicap

If they didn't all do the same number of laps then
(time = race time in seconds/ laps completed x max laps completed)
so if one did 5 laps and another 6 then time/5 x 6

Too many people rely on computers and scoring software and call it a black art when they just don't know the simple maths behind it all.

Edited by patj - 01 May 14 at 6:22am

Originally posted by Rupert Pat, I think you'll find there is a much more complicated way of working out who won if there are different numbers of laps...Grumph, you have been complaining for years about the Miracle handicap. All they have done is change the handicaps of other boats relative to it in order to reflect the performance of those boats on a tiny puddle. Isn't that what you wanted? It could be that they have over adjusted, and maybe not allowed for enough (lack of) crew skill factor, but what they are doing is what the RYA want clubs to do, isn't it? It may be that they will cut your handicap back a little after a while once they see what results are coming in, and you appear to be too favoured now. You could even suggest they knock 10 points off. What they are doing is difficult with only a few returns, but at least they are trying to get fair racing.Remember, a PY isn't a fixed thing - it isn't "how fast my boat goes", so sailing off a different one may well reflect the potential of the boat better than the one in the lists for that stretch of water.

Yes yes yes I know all that, precisely why I think the system is screwed, I'd rather they had just left it as it was when I first turned up, at least I could have a fixed measure as to my performance, 40 points on here, 10 points off there, that's no sport, exactly the reason to adopt a fixed measured system. I don't want my performance artificially assisted any more than I want it reduced, I'm trying to learn how to do this thing, how can I do that all the time they're shifting the bloody goal posts all over the place?

Originally posted by kneewrecker So you are advocating that your local club should not adjust the handicap?

I've said this all along, for this very reason, why put them in the position where they quite plainly piss off their membership, it might appear to help some whilst it irritates others.

What is required clearly is a fixed boat rating system and a volunteer handicap according to local skill/conditions applied, but the boat system must be accurate and maths based, not buffer on the end of a wet bit of string..

I'm happy that I'm not good enough to sail my boat to its handicap, so I keep trying harder with the hope that one day... But I'm not happy 'they' think oh that muppet needs a bit of help lets bung him up to 1062..

Edited by iGRF - 01 May 14 at 12:56pm