Royal Yacht Club of Victoria Yearbook 2019/2020

around 2004 David LeRoy
and
a computer based system
developed
around Port Philip until about
clubs
when a new computer based
2008
handicap system was
performance
called Topyacht.
introduced
performance handicaps, based
manage
the YV calculation system, and to
on
manage regatta programs and
also
entries.
calculates performance based
TopYacht
in a way that allows boats of
handicaps
designs and ages to compete
different
on an equitable basis –
together
boat configuration and the
provided
of the crew remain unchanged
majority
has been adopted by most
TopYacht
clubs and is today used for all
Australian
regattas. Its beauty is that it has
major
performance handicapping
made
automated, with software
largely
handicaps after each race.
recalculating
says he would actually like to see
John
have two racing numbers: One for
boats
handicap based on performance in
its
race. In this way the performance
each
would likely change after
handicap
race. And two, a rating based only
each
measurements. The rating would not
on
unless the boat’s configuration
change
a well sailed boat can win on
“Thus
/ORCi week after week and its
AMS/IRC
is the first to admit that no system
John
perfect; that the performance
is
system can be subtly
handicaps
such as owners not reporting
abused,
changes to
performance-improving
or sails: “I’ve also seen good
equipment
put under a crew that sails
boats
to get a generous handicap,
appalling
then the crew changed to people
and
know what they are doing.”
who
he says with a shrug, “this remains
“But,”
most popular system because it
the
cost anything, provides owners
doesn’t
skippers with a week-on-week
and
benchmark, and it helps to
performance
sailing. It gets people out on
promote
me it’s a friendly system that
For
people to enter races and
encourages
the end of the day, that’s what it’s all
“At
about.”
R Y C V Y E A R B O O K 2 0 1 9 / 2 0 2 0
PAT (Performance And Times).
named
was subsequently adopted by most
PAT
was developed by Melbournebased
TopYacht
IT expert Rod McCubbin to
Royals adopted TopYacht in 2014.
water competing against each other,
the
matter what class of boat they sail.
no
have a go”.
between races.
changed (new sails etc).
‘rating’ will not change,” he says.
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