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jeffers View Drop Down
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    Posted: 27 Jun 06 at 9:27am
They both have their attractions, that is why so many people sail the Laser who are either too big or too small so they get the 'fleet' racing.

I moved away from fleet racing for a new challenge so all my racing is now done as handicap. I am enjoying it more as it is me and the boat against the clock. Some times the wind is in your favour, some times it is not you just have to sail the boat to best advantage.

You also have to push all the way through the race sometimes unless you know you have a big enough gap (it is surprising how far you have to be ahead of a Topper to beat it on handicap).
Paul
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jpbuzz591 View Drop Down
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Posts: 793 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jpbuzz591 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 06 at 9:12am
I prefer class racing as it gives you a chance to see how you are doing. Also handicap racing is good if there is a small fleet of your own class and you get the best of both worlds
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Buzz591
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MRJP BUZZ 585 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1496 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MRJP BUZZ 585 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 06 at 7:54am
I like handicap at chew as firstly it makes a change from windward leward and also it is nice to have alsorts of boats and the surprise of how well you do at the end
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Posts: 320 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Xpletive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 06 at 7:44am

In my experience, handicap racing may be fine on a large open area of water. On a confined pond with windshadows and obstructions, in the predominantly light winds we get, it's a complete waste of time in some boats, unless you actually like watching other boats disappear ahead, taking all your wind, then watch the next lot coming to get you. Not for me.
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Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 06 at 11:58pm

The other thing in favour of handicap racing is that you have to keep pushing 100% all the way to the line. In class racing, once in the lead you can relax, relatively speaking, playing Mr Nasty if anybody gets close.

That's a bit contentious, I know. What I really like about h'cap racing is that it's like time-trialling rather than racing, which I prefer. I tend to get irritated if people get in the way of me enjoying my sail, and equally, I feel I'm cheating if I use the rules to gain an advantage (as opposed to just sorting an uncontrived right of way issue) or get in other people's way.



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Posts: 1337 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Strawberry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 06 at 11:37pm

Originally posted by boatshed

the best starting practice

Practice for what? Fleet racing?
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Lucy Lee View Drop Down
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Posts: 276 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Lucy Lee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 06 at 11:32pm

Hmm, I think I'm getting a bit weird in my old age, but I've decided this summer that I rather like club handicap racing.

The challenge of keeping up with the Solos in light wind and of avoiding the cats when it is blowing is rather entertaining, as is the unusual mental challenge of trying to remember which marks to go round, and which way to pass them, nevermind trying to work our which marks are actually where on the reservoir. A refreshing change from windward leeward.

I also like the fact that you get to 'race' a different boat or two on each leg, and you never know whose won till long after. Still, it would be even nicer if there was another Cherub to play with in the fleet. 
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boatshed View Drop Down
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Posts: 457 		Post Options Post Options   Quote boatshed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 06 at 9:58pm

Perhaps this topic of handicap racing should be a separate thread.  I don't doubt Rick's point that a lot of racing is done on handicap.

I believe there is real growth in say "High Performance Asymmetric Handicap" fleets being developed at club level.  So, all the MPS, RS700, 800, B14, I14 49ers, 29ers, Cherubs etc can race together and this type of handicap racing should be quite accurate as far a PYs are concerened.  When is blowing they all plane upwind and when its 2 knots, they are all slow and stick.

I welcome handicap racing as at a club level it generally provides the largest fleets and  the best starting practice.  If it is pursuit racing, then if you are a fast boat, you get the task of sailing through a big fleet.

There must be a reason why the Bloody Mary, Grafham Grand Prix, Glyn Charles pursuit race are so well attended - despite what people say, I believe they just love these big fleet races.

Finally, there are so many classes to chose from in the UK and probably a dwindling number of participants ( Rick will put me right in this), that it is inevitable that we will spread out into classes of our choice, therefore, handicap racing should be actively promoted.  

Steve
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Posts: 305 		Post Options Post Options   Quote fizzicist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 06 at 9:42pm

Absolutely, but don't lose sight of the merits of handicap racing. It keeps smaller fleets alive too.

Sadly though, OD's don't always remember that courses should encompass all points of sail for handicap events. It's immensely frustrating to be sailing a singlehander on a course with two big beats, two tiny token gesture reaches and two huge dead runs. No doubt it was great fun in an assymetric but it completely buggers any chance of a fair race on handicap.

 
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Posts: 0 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Guest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 06 at 8:59pm

Originally posted by turnturtle

Tony- I think you've got it the wrong way around mate...

handicap racing is eptiome of ego-centric sailing- it's not like you can easily compare your performance like in a fleet race; quite the contrary, all you've got to ratify performance is how you 'feel' the boat is going compared to the last lap, last time you went sailing....  this is why I despise handicap yacht racing with a mediocre crew; you spend all your time critising each other onboard, rather than having a like-for-like competitive boat to trully compare speed over the ground and get on with sailing the boat- simply and effectively.

For me handicap racing is just a welcome excuse to get out on the water and practice...   I wouldn't have been the first person who's retired from a handicap race because the course is crap and, actually, going for a blast off-track is far more fun and a better way to spend my limited on-water time.

Surely the goal is always fleet racing- or why do well all spend so much energy bigging-up our own classes if it's not to encourage larger fleets at club, circuit, national & international level?

I quite agree TT.

I think the UK situation with all these classes means that most sailing gets done on handicap ... which sees people lose sight of where the real issues are with there own performance as they can blame it on the weather or course not suiting their handicap or that their boat has a poor handicap.

Fleet racing is not about ego it's about enjoying level competition.

Rick

 
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