Racing course explanation

The P Course

Basically, the principle is that dinghies sail for the same period of time, generally experiencing the same wind conditions, and , based on the distance they sail during that period, their times are adjusted to represent the times they would have taken to sail the same distance as the fastest dinghy. These adjusted times are then corrected using the appropriate Portsmouth Numbers.

In practice, little change is needed from sailing a normal handicap race. The course needs to be set so that every lap is the same. ( See P Course Diagram ).

This is essential otherwise it is impossible to apply the adjustments fairly. The course needs to be planned as if it was being set for a three or four lap level race for the slowest class. The start and finish are the same. The committee boat does not move during the race, but sits approximately one third of the way up the longest beat. The competitors need to pass through the start/finish line on each lap. The mark X ensures that dinghies on the beat are kept clear of boats rounding mark 3 and also keeps them nearer to the committee boat for lap checking and finishing purposes.

The start is a conventional line start. However the finish is a different story. There are no predefined number of laps to be completed. Dinghies keep on racing until they are finished. A suitable time for the race would be 50mins + one lap for the leading boat. An accurate lap count needs to be made for each competitor. A sound signal will be made to denote that the leader has one lap to go and the Blue flag will be flown. Thereafter every dinghy will finish the race when they next pass through the line at the end of their current lap.

Benefits

The results are fair with everyone sailing in the same conditions. For both the competitors and the officials the event runs to planned times. Everyone has approximately the same time on the water.

Pitfalls

The dinghies spread out quickly round the course and the Race Officers have to keep a constant watch to ensure everyone is correctly lap counted.

In normal handicap race you time yourself and key competitors at the marks and assess your relative positions, but with the average lap race this is more difficult.