PY changes for 2014

Times 10,

My comments re: Miracles is a bit tongue in cheek.

The RYA system is I believe now as fair as it will ever be, but yes there is a skill factor built into the values. If a particular class is full of beginners then assuming there are enough of them then the PY number will increase until the average class sailor stands a chance of winning. Of course if the top sailors all move into that class then they will clean up but the new PY system should be quick enough to partially fix it the following year. I dont see an alternative as a measurement system just isnt going to work as their are too many variable to sensibly include.

We have to stop taking the view that one or two clubs are having a big effect on the data. Unless a class is only based at one or two clubs then it just isnt going to happen as the data used is coming from all over the country. You can see which clubs as they are now explicitally thanked on the PY list.

Miracle at 1200 is just plain wrong.

Back in the day Graduates, Fireflys and Miracles all sailed off the same PY and it was broadly fair. The Grads tended to be quicker upwind, the Fireflys on the tight reaches and the Miracles had their turn downwind.

The Graduates have evolved and now carry an extra sqm of mainsail which doesnt really give much upwind, gives a litte extra downwind and really improves the reaches. The Fireflys havent changed at all, and the Miracles have not only started getting off the shelf production glass boats but they have adopted inboard sheeting, so now they are quick upwind, quick downwind and only have an issue on tight reaches.

We have a pretty handy Miracle sailed by Nick & Hannah Smith at our club and Nick is a damn good sailor but for the Miracle to have the same PY as a YW Dayboat is crazy, and I am giving them 59 points in my Graduate. Yes I can leave them for dead upwind but downwind they take it all back and more.

Our clubs suggested PY for the Miracle is 1074!!!!!!! so miles away from the official figure.

It will be interesting to see if Streakers can really sail level with Solos.

Icon is a bit draconian .. ouch !  we must have really annoyed a few crusties out there !!  Well then it is now 'official' well 'experimental' at least and it will swing back in time for sure when more club results are considered fully.    I'd love to see the calcs used (wet fingers ?) as we have over 300 races worth here from a range of locations and conditons which must have been overlooked.  Yes we run the numbers as well....

Currently and by a country mile then it must simply be the fastest 2 sail, 2 person production hiker in the world - bar none -  and the obvious 'giant' killer to be seen in ... apparently seeing off Merlins, many asymetrics, Fireballs etc etc - yes you name it and all without a spinnaker or hiking aids and on a simple platform that can be driven by mere club mortals as well.   Well we must have got a lot of the design right !  ... the 'less is more' argument of course.

Now just suppose we did try out a modest asymetric in 2014 !    969 could then even be possible ! Anyway what the heck just come and see the association stand at the Show this weekend.  You might even want an Icon as well now .... and be able to afford one  ;-)

Mike L.


Edited by blaze720 - 26 Feb 14 at 6:34pm

The RYA/Sailracer site is suggesting 903 for the Altos at WSC.  Initially it was 895 (tho' we used 915 till now and they still filled the first 4 places at the Regatta, ahead of two European Champions in the IC's).