Hyeres Test of Theater Style Racing
Sorry everyone that we had to cancel the Palma de Mallorca Test… The lane ropes weren’t ready yet.
49ers are testing a series of progressive racing formats we’re calling ‘Theater Style Racing‘ for now. The next one is set for a Test on April 21st to be held just ahead of SOF in Hyeres, France. We’ll use the same format as was proposed for Palma. Please email me to sign up for a spot.
Fans can follow the action at on our facebook or on Twitter.
Racing will begin at noon on the 21st. There will be a skippers meeting in the 49er boat park at 10:30 to review the rules. If numbers allow we’ll do multiple flights.
The format of this test will be ‘First to 10 Points Wins’
Key elements:
- Each race, points are awarded, 3 for First, 2 for Second, 1 for Third
- Once a team hits 10 points, they have won the event. The event continues until a team wins the Silver and another team wins the Bronze, each by getting 10 points
- 10 boats will be in the fleet.
- In this test, each team will start with 2 points. If this were to finish a regatta, the team leading through the fleet racing portion would start with 5 points, second would have 3 points, third – 2 points, fourth – 1 point, all others, 0 points.
- Optional – Finishing last makes you loose 1 point. Last place or all teams with OCS, DSQ, DNS or DNF loose 1 point. If you fall below 0 points you are eliminated from the event.
Key Benefits:
- Racing decided by fleet racing, not match racing which has been anticlamactic so far.
- Boats have the ability to influence other boats, leading to exciting scenarios during racing.
- 10 boats, instead of 8, so that the action is ‘thicker’
- Multiple ‘final races’ where the excitement should be high as medals would be on the line.
- The winners must do well in a race to ‘win’ their medal
Drawbacks:
- Might take a long time if many teams win races
- The winner of the final race doesn’t necessarily with Gold, though they would need to be in the top 3.