In this series we look at different types of schedules that can be used either for the whole team racing event or for a particular stage. Other formats for events where competitors enter as a team are:

• Full Round Robins
• Groups/Leagues
• HLS
• Swiss League
• Knockouts

Full Round Robin

What is it?

• Teams sail all other teams in the event a set number of times.

How does it work?

• A ranking of teams is determined using the rules described in the Racing Rules of Sailing – specifically: D4
• Sailing Instructions may change this, to use a version of the match racing rules (C10) adapted for team racing.

When is it used at an event?

• Usually used for events where you have a small number of teams and lots of time.

What is good about it?

• Teams race everyone at the event, so very fair.

What is bad about it?

• If there is a big disparity between the top and bottom teams there can be numerous ‘pointless’ races.
• It can take a very long time if you have more than a few teams.

Where can I see it used in practice?

• Used at events such as World Sailing Team Racing Worlds, Cumberland Cup & Oxford Top Gun.

In this series we look at different types of schedules that can be used either for the whole team racing event or for a particular stage. Other formats for events where competitors enter as a team are:

• Full Round Robins
• Groups/Leagues
• HLS
• Swiss League
• Knockouts

Groups/Leagues

What is it?

• Teams are allocated to leagues and they sail all other teams in their league a set number of times (usually once).

How does it work?

• A ranking of teams is determined using the rules described in the Racing Rules of Sailing – specifically: D4.

When is it used at an event?

• Used as a first round for events where teams can be seeded. For example at a 16 team event where the top 4 teams are known, the format could involve 2 leagues of 8, with 2 of the top ranked teams in each league.
• Used as a second round for events where a ranking round can allocate teams to leagues e.g. the top 4 teams from each initial league go into a gold league, or the top 8 from an HLS.

What is good about it?

• When used as a first round, provides an initial ranking to break into a second round very quickly.
• When used as a second round, provides close racing by grouping teams of similar ability.

What is bad about it?

• If used as a first round, it can be difficult to seed teams before the event, especially if a number of the teams are unknown.
• If used as a first round and the event is incomplete, it is difficult to break ties across leagues.
• A fixed number of races have to be completed before the stage can count, which leads to results having to be ‘thrown away’ if the stage has to be curtailed.

Where can I see it used in practice?

• Used for the first two rounds at events such as UK National Team Racing Championships.
• Used as a second round at university events such as the Oxford Magnum & Cam Cup.

In this series we look at different types of schedules that can be used either for the whole team racing event or for a particular stage. Other formats for events where competitors enter as a team are as follows, we will be providing more information about each in the future:

• Full Round Robins
• Groups/Leagues
• HLS
• Swiss League
• Knockouts

HLS

What is it?

• The HLS (Hebbert-Lucas-Sammons) system is a method by which an incomplete Round Robin may be scored. The scoring system is dependent on a particular method of round robin scheduling and cannot be used with a manually produced round. Should an HLS round robin be completed; it can be scored as a complete round robin in the normal way.
• The schedule is optimised such that at the beginning of racing, all teams sail two races at a time and the number of races completed by each team remains similar throughout the stage.

How does it work?

• If the full round robin is completed, a ranking of teams is determined using the rules described in the Racing Rules of Sailing – specifically: D4.
• If not, a ranking is determined using the HLS Addendum to Sailing Instructions.

When is it used at an event?

• Usually used an initial ranking round to rank teams into matched leagues.
• Alternatively, can be used when a full round robin is the ideal format, but there are concerns it will not be completed due to weather.

What is good about it?

• Schedules are optimised to reduce the number of ‘double changeovers’ which makes racing run smoothly and prevents damage. This also maximises the number of races each team gets during an event.
• Racing can be curtailed at any time and a ranking of all teams established, giving ultimate flexibility to the Race Officer.

What is bad about it?

• Can lead to a perception of unfairness if team think they had a ‘hard draw’.
• Requires the use of specific schedules and sailing instructions.

Where can I see it used in practice?

• Used as a ranking round for school & University events such as BSDRA Southerns, UK National Junior & Youth Team Racing Championships and Nottingham Snakebite