DF95 Mid Week Handicap

A quite warm and gusty North westerly wind of about 10 - 15 knots greeted us at the dam this morning so all seventeen skippers elected to use their B rig for the mornings session. After lunch the wind settled a little and most skippers rigged the A for the last few races.
 
Over the course of the year our current handicap system has generated some unusual and unrealistic handicaps for the DF95 roster. As today was our last DF95 handicap meet for the year it seemed like a good time to trial a possible alternative system that may be used next year. The new system features grouped starts. Skippers start with a group of others of similar skill at 15 second intervals and sail with that same handicap all day. The skipper that has won the day, and any others who have had frequent podium appearances will be promoted into the next start group for our next meet. Skippers who sail all day but rarely find the podium are demoted and gain more handicap at the next meet. 
 
All up it was a good day for the mid-fleet skippers with Nick Connor taking out overall honours with great consistency after taking discards aside. Congratulations Nick! Scott Brain took out second place and had two race wins in his mix. Other skippers to win two races were John Penman and Phil Jackman. I was pleased with my third overall today as I have been struggling a bit recently with the DF95 in windy conditions.
 
As far as the handicap implications are concerned Nick would be promoted to the 45 sec start group by virtue of his event win. Scott and I would also find that we are promoted to the 45 second group as we were frequent podium attenders. Conversely Rod Jackman, Ray Joyce and Alan Short all had a ‘hard day at the office’ and barely made the podium at all - they would find that they are demoted and get more handicap benefit next time we meet.
 
So did the handicap system work? I think that it might take time before we can tell. I don’t think that we necessarily had skippers in correct groups today. The system did reveal some good features though: 

• It gives skippers valuable practice at starting in a group situations. 
• It gives the PRO the ability to judge the start line.
• It means that you get to race all day with a group of ‘rivals’. A race within a race situation is formed.

I do appreciate any feedback regarding handicaps as I am trying hard to develop a system that is fair to all and encourages skippers to sail well.
 
Shorty