A little while ago, the possible structure of a new Sailing Rankings System modeled after the ISAF World Sailing Rankings was discussed on the sailing community forum, and after some additional research and adjusting, the SLSA Sailing Rankings are ready to launch!
The initial idea for the Sailing Rankings came from answers to a community survey I ran at the end of last year. According to the survey, many of you felt that the large Cup events divide the calendar into somewhat arbitrary periods of frenzied activity, followed by weeks, if not months, of “racing fatigue” and exhaustion. At the same time, many of you requested a more permanent, stable sequence of challenges, and also greater flexibility in the choice of boats in competitive events.
Enter the SLSA Sailing Rankings: a long-term performance rating of skippers that goes hand in hand with larger events such as the Cups. The Cup events are essential; they produce a different kind of competitiveness over a (supposedly) short period of time. The Sailing Rankings on the other hand provide an ongoing competition that tracks the skills of individual sailboat racers over the long term.
The SLSA Sailing Rankings seek to address the following requests, in no particular order:
• to create a permanent challenge or series of challenges for sailors
• to reduce the amount of administrative overhead needed for such challenges
• to reduce the somewhat random aspect of large Cup events
• to promote the sport of sailing in Second Life
• to increase attendance at regular race events
• to increase the number of regular races being held
• to increase awareness of all aspects of the Racing Rules of Sailing, from the responsibilities of competitors to the responsibilities of race organizers, umpires, judges, and volunteers
The simple idea is this:
• to establish a permanent Ranking System modeled after the ISAF World Sailing Rankings, using the existing weekly races in the calendar.
• after each of the races involved, the current Sailing Rankings will be updated.
• the current Sailing Rankings will be published in regular intervals.
• no registration needed, simply to be present at your favorite race at your usual time slots.
• the Race Directors keep full responsibility of the event, as always.
The operating principles, grading criteria and rankings calculations are described
You can also get there by clicking on the SLSA Rankings tab in the navigation menu at the top of each page.
The first boat class to enter into the Rankings System will be the Flying Fizz, soon followed by all major boat types used for racing. Race directors, Yacht Clubs, volunteers: it is time to jump in!
This new competition format will kick off on March 1. 2010 will be a year of testing and development for this new formula, tweaking or adjusting things if required.
Stay tuned, something very exciting could come from this…
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
First (quick) take: Sounds like lots more work for RDs. It’ll up the competitive spirit.
Good luck with this.
SYC is in 110% Bea!! We can use our 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning timeslot (formerly Sail On) for SYC participation. I suspect frequency will be based on the other clubs participation and the time slots they choose. This sounds fantasic! Now I am off to read more… lol Great stuff! Thanks!
Gosh I wish I could find more time to sail with you all.. I used to have sooo much fun! Occasionally I get out for a 20 mins sail and thats about it anymore… sigh I’m going to try and find a way.
Miss you soggy sailing bunch!
Sorry to hear Delinda,..
Hope to see you out on the water again soon..
@ Fearless:
It is not more work than you do already, if you read the article. Basically it only asks from you to advertise your race, hold it, publish the results. This is what most of you do already..
Then add calculating a score for the regatta, which is fairly simple, and you’re done!