Forum: The Racing Rules of Sailing

Low Point Scoring and Throwouts

David Knecht
Nationality: United States
The sample NOR scoring says:
| 13.2  | _____ races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
|
13.3  | When fewer than _____ races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores. When from _____ to _____ races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score. hen _____ or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst scores.

What is never overtly stated is that all boats are scored for the same number of races.  So if you have a 7 race series with one throwout, presumably everyone is scored for 6 races.  But if a competitor only sails 5 races, they might argue that they should only be scored for 5 races according to the letter of the NOR.  It doesn't say that a DNF is a race score.  I ask because I have had a competitor (an experienced racer) trying to argue that someone who sailed less races had an advantage because he/she had less scores.  I can see someone naive thinking that a DNS did not count as a race score.   Does anyone add an explicit statement like: "All boats are scored for the same number of races" to their NOR/SI?
Created: 23-Apr-09 16:35

Comments

Philip Hubbell
Nationality: United States
Certifications:
  • Club Race Officer
  • Judge In Training
0
A2.2.
 
If a boat has entered any race in a series, she shall be scored for the whole series.
Created: 23-Apr-09 16:50
Tim Hohmann
Nationality: United States
Certifications:
  • Umpire In Training
  • Regional Judge
2
I think I'd say that boats finish a race (or don't) but the race is completed by the RC. 

DNC, DNS, DNF and RET are all race scores per Appendix A with associated points awarded. Boats receive scores for every race completed by the RC. 
Created: 23-Apr-09 17:24
Randy Hough
Nationality: Mexico
Certifications:
  • Measurer in Training
  • Regional Race Officer
1
These are all race scores:
These scoring abbreviations shall be used for recording the circumstances described:
DNC  Did not
start, did not come to the starting area
DNS  Did not
start (other than DNC and OCS)
OCS  Did not
start; on the course side of the starting line at her starting signal and failed to start, or broke rule 30.1
ZFP  20% penalty under rule
30.2 UFD Disqualification under rule 30.3
BFD  Disqualification under rule
30.4
SCP  Took a Scoring Penalty under rule
44.3(a)
NSC  Did not
sail the course
DNF  Did not
finish
RET  Retired
DSQ  Disqualification
DNE  Disqualification (other than DGM) not excludable under rule
90.3(b)
DGM  Disqualification for gross misconduct not excludable under
90.3(b)
RDG  Redress given DPI Discretionary penalty imposed
DPI    Discretionary penalty imposed

A boat that sails 5 races in a 7 race series with one throw-out has to take a DNC for one race not sailed.

Rule A2.1 [Fleet]
Each boat’s series score shall, subject to rule 90.3(b), be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score. However, the notice of race or sailing instructions may make a different arrangement by providing, for example, that no score will be excluded, that two or more scores will be excluded, or that a specified number of scores will be excluded if a specified number of races are completed. A race is completed if scored; see rule 90.3(a). If a boat has two or more equal worst scores, the score(s) for the race(s) sailed earliest in the series shall be excluded. The boat with the lowest series score wins and others shall be ranked accordingly. 

Thus if the NOR or SIs do not alter this rule and "series" is not defined, if there are two races, everyone can exclude one score. A2.1 is useful because you do not have to define excluded scores for a series unless you intend to allow more than one.
Created: 23-Apr-09 17:31
John Christman
Nationality: United States
Certifications:
  • Club Race Officer
  • National Judge
  • National Umpire
0
Taking the competitor's argument to its logical conclusion means that if you don't sail any races you have a score of 0 and win the regatta.
Created: 23-Apr-10 17:08
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