Scoring Codes for flights

Imported from Yahoo
1

Colin,

SYC recently hosted the 2006 USODA Optimist Midwinters (which we host
annually). Most USODA regattas are scored with St. Pete Scorer, a DOS
program which only outputs the results as a text file! I took the
liberty of scoring the regatta in parallel with SailWave to see how
it performs. The regatta had 216 entries divided into four flights:
Blue, Red, White & Yellow. The flights were then rotated & paired so
that each race had two starts (R1:BW & RY, R2:BR & WY, etc.).

All went well except for one, seemingly unsurmountable, problem.
Since the flights were not the same size, the total number of
competitors assigned to each start varied. (With 216 competitors,
you'd think the flights would be divided evenly, but that's neither
here nor there as it could have just as easily been an indivisible
number) For example, in Race 2, start BR had 54+55=109 competitors,
while start WY had 54+53=107. Thus, the appropriate DNF, DNC, etc.
scores were 110 & 108, respectively. Here's the problem... in the SW
Scoring Codes dialoge, the nearest available option allows for
only "...the *biggest* start in the race + N places", which, in this
case, is 110 points for *both* starts, regardless of the actual
number of boats in the start. While I can see arguments in favor of
both methods, the fact is that we must conform to USODA practices.

What we need is something to the effect of "Points for the place of
(the number of boats assigned to the start + N places)".

Other than the scoring code issue, it appears that SailWave would
work fine for such an event - and it certinly gives a nicer output
than St. Pete Scorer! My only other comment is that it took me a
while to sort out using flights in SW (such as discovering the Big
Events tab in the Scoring Systems dialog!). As we've said before, a
setup wizard would streamline the process.

Thanks,
Kett Cummins

2

Hi Kett

SW has been written to meet the requirement of Appendix LE - Addendum C which states in paragraph 20.4

(b) For the qualifying series, rule A4.2 is changed so that the scores are based on the number of boats assigned to the largest fleet.

This is the general rule when sailing in flights with different numbers of entrants in International competition.

The problem, as you have identified, is to try & persuade USODA to see it the same way

You may wish to point out that the NOR for the forthcoming Optimist Worlds in Uruguay states the following

9.2. Each race of two divisions will be scored as one race in which all competitors of those two divisions have entered. Allocation of points according to RRS A4.2 will consider that “the number of competitors entered in the series” is the maximum number of competitors after grouping two divisions.

It always makes sense to try & keep to ISAF recommendations & you never know, bringing the above to the attention of USODA along with applying common sense might achieve a change in their approach.

We have managed this with the RYA on other issues :wink:

Best of luck

Ralph

···

From: Kett Cummins [mailto:kettc@bellsouth.net]
Sent: 25 November 2006 14:58
To:
sailwave@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [sailwave] Scoring Codes for flights

Colin,

SYC recently hosted the 2006 USODA Optimist Midwinters (which we host
annually). Most USODA regattas are scored with St. Pete Scorer, a DOS
program which only outputs the results as a text file! I took the
liberty of scoring the regatta in parallel with SailWave to see how
it performs. The regatta had 216 entries divided into four flights:
Blue, Red, White & Yellow. The flights were then rotated & paired so
that each race had two starts (R1:BW & RY, R2:BR & WY, etc.).

All went well except for one, seemingly unsurmountable, problem.
Since the flights were not the same size, the total number of
competitors assigned to each start varied. (With 216 competitors,
you’d think the flights would be divided evenly, but that’s neither
here nor there as it could have just as easily been an indivisible
number) For example, in Race 2, start BR had 54+55=109 competitors,
while start WY had 54+53=107. Thus, the appropriate DNF, DNC, etc.
scores were 110 & 108, respectively. Here’s the problem… in the SW
Scoring Codes dialoge, the nearest available option allows for
only “…the biggest start in the race + N places”, which, in this
case, is 110 points for both starts, regardless of the actual
number of boats in the start. While I can see arguments in favor of
both methods, the fact is that we must conform to USODA practices.

What we need is something to the effect of “Points for the place of
(the number of boats assigned to the start + N places)”.

Other than the scoring code issue, it appears that SailWave would
work fine for such an event - and it certinly gives a nicer output
than St. Pete Scorer! My only other comment is that it took me a
while to sort out using flights in SW (such as discovering the Big
Events tab in the Scoring Systems dialog!). As we’ve said before, a
setup wizard would streamline the process.

Thanks,
Kett Cummins