One of the problems we have at BBSC is the huge range of performances of modern boats.  We sometimes have Oppies and a 49er in the same race.  When I started sailing a 5o5 was about as fast as they got and has a yardstick of about 902.  Some single handers are faster then a 5o.  Boats like the Scorpion were considered high performance and now have a yardstick of 1056.  The 49er has a PY of 747 and my modest machine is sailing on 908.  Its actually worse than it looks because boats like the 49er and my machine are only a little faster upwind than the older boats, but downwind the modern boats are very much faster.

This causes all sorts of problems with organising races - especially pursuit races.

We have similar, though less extreme problems at Whitefriars. Average lap times help with the most basic problem of boats finishing at vaguely similar times, but doesn't solve the problem of fast boats liking different courses to slow ones. All that can be done is to set a variety of courses so every dog has its day, making sure that you don't get a blasting Asymmetric reach straight across where the toppers are still beating up. Or split the fleet into fast and slow handicap and set a shorter course for the slow boats. Of course the race officer will have to have some idea what he/she is doing, and that comes down to training. Any bright ideas on that subject welcome!

As for Pursuits, we set a limit on speed at the Mirror sailing for 1 hour, but the fast boats still get a short race, unless you send the slow ones out for longer. trouble is, it tends to be youngsters who run out of steam after a while. 

I shall water pushers (Radials) and flyers (49ers) and strongly feel the only racing worth doing is fleet racing, otherwise I practice on my own. The winner of pursuit races (although always good sailors) is dictated by the conditions. For example NO wind 2.4 , MODERATE wind 49er or I14 STRONG wind 420.

Jon 

MODERATE wind Well sailed Cat, STRONG wind Better sailed Cat (maybe without a kite)