D-Zero

This thread has changed pretty quickly from happy people discussing their lovey new boats to something weird.
This whole thing seems to have kicked off from a headed note paper PY list that was explained by the chairman of the PAYA committee & by Bas Edmonds as unofficial & released by mistake.

There is no "actual" Number yet so it appears to be all a bit "storm in an imaginary tea cup" based on a huge wave of fear of the boat NOT being a bandit.

Less talk & more sailing - that's the way forward.

If the defining factor of a new class is a handicap number then you're all sad b**tards who need to get a life...

No, no. Not confused. I know it is the Great Lakes group that publish an alternative set of numbers, but the RYA lack of involvement goes far beyond estimating PYs for new classes and being tardy (historically) in accurately updating them (though that issue now appears to be resolved).

Sailracer do a great job of collating, publishing and analysing results and both they and Sailjuice organise events. I am very glad they do, but I believe the RYA should be doing. the RYA have been slow to recognise that handicap racing is now the majority aspect of the sport, it does very little to support it beyond publishing the PY list once a year and even that list isn't used at the main events!

I believe the RYA should organise a calendar of endorsed events, a national handicap circuit of you like. The Sailjuice series has become the de facto national circuit but it has no RYA involvement at all afaik. There are a handful of classes that can continue to exist in their own bubble with little regard for handicap racing, but the other classes are deluding themselves if they think they are 'above' it.

Well, I for one am sorry to hear that. It's a shame that so many people fail to accept that the system could be improved (I don't just mean the PY system, but the whole organisation of club and handicap racing). If the RYA cared more for it, there would be no need for the disparate group of bodies that have sprung up such as Sailracer, Sailjuice, Sailwave, etc that are valiantly trying to fill the void the RYA has created.

And we wait for the next I-ncarnation.