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Board » Flag Officers » Race proposals » Match Racing

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Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


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2008-10-04 07:59:40
2011-12-22 01:05:13 - Match Racing
I've an idea for how to run a match racing series that hopefully would not add much to admin or server requirements. Please comment on what you think. The key points will be:
1) How much interest there is amongst us
2) How can we get it to work without adding to the valuable workload of our volunteers.

I'll explain my idea in a few posts, so that each one is not too long.
Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


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2011-12-22 01:08:42 - Re: Match Racing
First point about when and how to run the races. My main idea for this is to piggy back off the existing practice races and/or timed races. Another possibilty would be to add short windows of races specifically for match racing run very much like the timed races.

The way the match racing would work, is two boats decide to go head to head, arranged mutually through the forums or chat in another race. They agree a start time. Similar to a timed race or practice race, they start at the agreed time, sail the agreed course and whoever crosses the finish first wins that race. So they score the win.

Points would need to reflect number of races entered as well as wins, say 3 points for a win and 1 for a loss.
Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


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2011-12-22 01:11:17 - Re: Match Racing
To make it easier to organise with the couple of hundred keen sailors we have here:
1) SYC members only
2) arrange in divisions, initial by ranking, then by performance - up to 20 in each division but depends on what is managable
3) divisions run over a set period, say 3 months, which gives time for the races to be held
4) promotion / relegation after that period
5) next period (season) starts

We could have an end of year finals series, or something similar, if that adds to the interest.
Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


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2011-12-22 01:16:12 - Re: Match Racing
Some of the challenges - please comment if you know about these issues.

1) Accuracy of timing. Practice races may be too approximate for this. Is there a way of logging start and finish times more accurately that would suit?

2) Length of race. Most of our races (except the practice ones) are more than 4 hours long. Is this too long for this format?

3) Any admin or organisation issues, or would we be happy with this being reasonably informal.
Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


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2011-12-22 01:17:51 - Re: Match Racing
PS, this was inspired by losing to sadlersailing by 8 seconds after 5 hours going around the Isle of White. That felt like a match race!
Posted by
A2


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2009-10-26 00:39:42
2011-12-23 10:58:23 - Re: Match Racing
76T had proposed a conceptual 8 Metre Rule Class event that had similar aims or could be well adapted to this particular discussion.

read here
None so blind
Posted by
AGage


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2011-12-29 09:31:02 - Re: Match Racing
Main problem is match racing is not possible on SOL....
There is no enforcement of ISAF rules

And I don't quite see what 1 on 1 would add to SOL.
There are some good ideas in terms of a 'season' and divisions etc, but again I cannot see what 1on1 adds here?
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
Posted by
Rod


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2012-01-19 16:27:42 - Re: Match Racing
May I suggest that some thought be given to the idea of a "start line" as in IRL racing? Boats could leave the "docking point" 1 hour prior to the start, BUT twa=0 would not be allowed until after the start (so the boat MUST be constantly in motion.) I realize that this could penalize those who cannot be at their computers at the start, but that too corresponds to IRL. (Calculate the time from dock to start line, set DC time and course, and go---if over early, must re-start, again as IRL)
'Starting' is usually considered to be a significant part of IRL sailboat racing---to neglect it here is somewhat un-realistic.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
ShamrockPirate


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2012-01-20 01:06:00 - Re: Match Racing
Interesting idea Rod, though I am hard pressed to figure how and afternoon local-time start and a middle-of-the-night start in the same race mirrors IRL. In the current format, I have the same start in the same wind in the same boat as the Big Boys. (My talent is then applied and I either creep or vault to the back of the pack :)) Since many races appear to be won/lost in the first few hours, it feels like an underway-start would penalize more people than benefit.

Also not sure how the server would identify and then notify of an early-over start. A DC off by even one second would essentially result in just going for a virtual sail for the several hundred miles or more. I suppose you could set a close DC and then go TWA=0.01 and have a reasonable chance, but I believe your point is that to be able to compete effectively, you MUST be at your computer at the designated start time or the race is a toss.

Only other alteration I can think of would be to have multiple start times (this goes back to a "Divisions" conversation) but then you are only racing against those choosing that start time and I don't see how the all-important rankings would then be managed.

I'm sure others may have a more learned perspective and will look forward to reading more on this thread.

SP
Posted by
Rod


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2012-01-20 04:01:52 - Re: Match Racing
Start time would be same for all, and could be done on DCs. 'Over early' would be seen as a position number which would rapidly get larger. It would add the requirement to chose a tack, and to choose which end of the line. It would spread out the fleet much like IRL.
Among other things, it would help to make SOL into an 'off-season' practice for those who also race IRL, even if radio-sailing such as I do.

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2012-01-20 04:04:08 ---
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.

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