GBCA Discussion Forum

Let me start a new thread regarding the PHRF Algorithm.

We have no plans to adjust anything other than Club.

And done.  Please verify results and standings.
http://results.gbca.org/series.html?regatta=2017%20Cruzan%20Icicle%20Series
http://results.gbca.org/?race=2017%20Cruzan%20Icicle%20Series%20%233&showAll=12

"how do you "correct" PHRF for boats above or below the corrected time?"

I'm not sure I understand the question.  If you are referring to Club Handicap, that uses a formula based on the delta from median finish time.

If you asking how we come up the start times based on PHRF, I honestly don't know.  I'm sure there is a formula or fairy dust or something.  Fleet captain just hands that to me.

I'm sorting out results now. Standings as well. 

Photos from the results page are posted on Facebook under the event.

Please let me know if you see a problem with the current standings:
http://results.gbca.org/series.html?regatta=2017%20Cruzan%20Icicle%20Series

As you may have noticed, I have been aggressively suggesting people record their finish times for the Icicle Series.  I would like to give some reasoning as to why.

Some background.  We needed a system to help with Club Handicap.  It was a bit of a mess, and there were many manual steps required each week to keep the wheels running.  I can't imagine the number of hours that Bob spent keeping that machine going.  Hats off to you Bob! 

I can tell you, with Bob's absence, nobody was excited about taking charge of that hot mess.  I took it, knowing full well that I would be able to invest some time in rebuilding it, and it would be easier to run in the long run.  As of now, we have a system that I'm proud of, and I believe the Club guys find it a good solution too.

The other part of the job is scoring the other classes.  In a perfect world, it is a simplistic, self-regulated system.  In practice, I've seen the shit show that occurs when something goes wrong.  I'll let Bob and Dees tell their greatest hits, but I've seen a leader not come by the clubhouse till after the party.  I've seen multiple, varying results from the same class.  I've seen missing boats in results.  I've seen no results submitted, then pieced together with scratches of paper by each of the next 5 competitors.

You can guess who gets to run around trying to fix this.  During a Rum Race, it is exponentially worse because there are more people and they are 2x as drunk.  So fleet captain is madly running around trying to figure out scores.. sending people to the office, asking skippers to come to the office.  Looking at GPS logs, raceQs, until the roar of the Rumless becomes overpowering and fleet captain throws up his arms and just goes with what he has.

Side note - at this point, someone might mention that these Races are just fun, easy going Saturday cruises.  I would like you to tell that to the drunk skipper who loses the a little bottle of rum because of a scoring issue.  A race is a race, and just because you aren't trying doesn't mean everyone else isn't.  There are competitors out there, and I don't blame them.

The second problem we have is data.  Or lack thereof.  How many boats participate in each class?  How many skippers are GBCA members?  What is the delta between club and the other classes?  How any boats show up during a series?  We have no idea.  I come from a marketing data background, and it is a little odd that we can't quantify who are "customers" are.

So.  I would like to use the Club system for all classes, the handicap portion obviously only for Club.  In addition to helping with the above problems, it also gives us consistent scoring and timely results.  The later is great for resolving "bad data" issues.  Also, if we can optimize this, we could get away from having first place sit around for the next 4 boats, which is a real drag even if you get a bottle of rum for your efforts.

Is this a perfect system?  Nope.

Here are all the problems I can think of and how I am trying to mitigate them:

People will fat-finger results.  Especially on a phone.
- Early results allows people to pipe up early and help alleviate some of this. 
- We will add a "boat ahead" and "boat behind" optional field to the results.  Also, I will add an "estimated" finish asterisk to results if we need to change someone's results.
- RaceQs fixes this.  I know not everyone will run it, but it does solve the verification issue. 

Some people don't have a smartphone or carry one on the boat
- Upload your results at the dock
- We will have a tablet available at the clubhouse for people to upload then

People will use finish times to affect their rating
- PHRFGB doesn't care if we post finish times.  Boat owners will get data however they can, and only PHRFGB can distinguish what is relevant.

Icicle/Rum is an easy race.  You are adding "hassle"
- First, we are trying to streamline the process as best we can to reduce "hassle."  See below for how to enter results
- Don't do it.  Go our for your cruise and don't upload your time.  Enjoy your cruise, but you won't be scored.

It is inefficient for ALL boats to have to upload times rather than the leader
- If we can get away from having the leader wait, I'm not sure that is true.  If you are in Club on a slow day, you might have to wait 30 minutes.
- This assumes that result scoring will be easy.  If you believe this, I have a board position for you next year.  You can take the club back to pen and paper.
- Again, we have multiple streamlines in place to make uploading the results easy, and it should take no more than a minute

I am unable to calculate a finish time
- You found a way to get to the start on time. 
- Club has been doing it for years.  I'm sure you can figure it out.

How do I upload results?
http://racing.gbca.org

The first time you use this page, you must fill the whole thing out.  It is a pain, but I believe all the information is needed.

The second time you come to the page, assuming you have cookies enabled, all the information should load, and you will only need to input your finish time.  If you should have cleared your cookies OR you are on another device, if you type in the email address provided previously, and all your information will load.

Again, if using the same phone, all but the first time entering data, you will only need to input your finish time.  All data should already be filled out based on your previous input.

The page is "mobile ready" so it should format well for either phones, tablets, or desktops.  On the phone, it should show BIG calculator type numbers when inputting your finish time.  This should help with fat-fingering the results.

We will have a tablet at the merchandise table to help people people enter finish times.  If it is your first time, please see Beverly.

Improvements
The board has suggested some improvements, and I'm evaluating/working on them. 

One suggestion is to have the "lookup" done by boat name and sail number.  Then, besides the first entry, anyone can score finish times.  This gets a bit tricky, because there isn't a good way to regulate who is making the changes.  With the email address as a "key," it makes regulation a bit easier, but harder for someone, like a crew member, to upload results on the skipper's behalf.

Another idea is to include an optional "boat ahead" and "boat behind" fields with the finish time.  I'm split on this idea.  What if the person behind you didn't want to score themselves?  It also adds more "hassle," which... heaven forbid.


Feedback

I don't plan to modify the SIs.  Yes, you can refuse to use this system.  The first place boat must continue to record times, and we will accept the first place sheet, and you don't need to do anything more.  However, if you upload your time.  It makes my life easier.

I do plan to vote to change the SIs for the Rum Races and require finish times.  I don't know yet about the first boat taking positions yet.  It seems like we should be able to get away from it, but the board is definitely on the fence about it.  Verification is definitely useful.

I apologize for the wall of text.  There are many points to consider.

Last, I value your feedback.  Please let me know what you think.  Though, if you are vehemently against this whole concept, I have an exciting board position available for you.

We would certainly prefer that everyone upload their finish times here:

http://racing.gbca.org

Using this system alleviates many of the issue with scoring.  I'll start a new thread in a moment to talk about the new system.

fyi.. result for #2 are fixed with appropriate DSQs.  You may need to hold shift when you refresh to see the current, non-cached results.

http://results.gbca.org/?race=2017%20Cruzan%20Icicle%20Series%20%232&showAll=1

"We may have to use this as a lessen learned, and go with the last three races. But the parties are great."

To be clear, we will not be throwing out any races.  The current results are correct, as far as I know.  Some start and finish times aren't exact, but the ordering is, as far as I know.

As for the boats that finished after 3pm, they will be counted DSQ.  As of now, there is a limitation with the software that allows either DSQ or a finish time.  I want to keep the finish times, so I am making a change that should be finished sometime today.

Also, I am working on the series total site.  Should be done "soon."

As mentioned, I left the hand written scribble of results at the clubhouse after the party for Icicle #1, and they were thrown away.  These four in Spin Sprit, to the best of our recollection, were the only submitted.  Please let me know if you see any discrepancies.

http://results.gbca.org/?race=2017%20Cruzan%20Icicle%20Series%20%231&showAll=1

Do they look better now?

http://results.gbca.org/?race=2017%20Cruzan%20Icicle%20Series%20%232

Why not?

We need line, mark-set, and pin-set boats for the upcoming Performance Cup. Sailboats work great for the line, so don't think that you MUST have a power boat to help. That being said, some runabouts are definitely needed as well.
Don't know enough about racing? Don't worry, we'll put someone on board who can help.
Don't have a boat? You can still help, we need hands to keep times and other jobs on the water. Reply here or contact Darin Keever for volunteer opportunities.

From Waterford Yacht Club:

Dear Racers,

Did you know there's a new trophy on the Bay?

The Waterford Yacht Club Lighthouse Charity Regatta trophy, better known as The Wheel, will be defended for the first time on October 3, 2015.  And this year, members of any chartered yacht club can compete to take The Wheel home to their yacht club trophy case.  If they're fast enough, that is.  You see, the race for The Wheel is a challenge simply because it's, well, simple.  A staggered start based on handicaps, the race is only three legs -- one upwind, one downwind, and one across the wind.  This requires precision tactics as there is no room to recover from any mistakes.  So this race isn't for everyone.  It's just for those competitors who think they might know a thing or two about sailing on Galveston Bay that will give them an advantage.  Trophys will be awarded for the first 3 finishing boats.

This Regatta is a charity event in support of Lighthouse Charity Team*.   The $100/boat entry fee, tax-deductible, goes to support this non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.  Regatta entrants will receive an entry package including, among other things, two regatta t-shirts and two tickets to the post-regatta shrimp boil (Beer included) and charity auction held Waterford Harbor Marina (near HSH Yacht Sales) at 5:30  .

Other prizes are in play, but it's not about those or t-shirts or boiled shrimp.  The Waterford Yacht Club Lighthouse Charity Regatta is about sailing skill in the quest to win the race for The Wheel while supporting a deserving local charity.  If you think you have what it takes to grab The Wheel, or maybe just need to test new crewmembers planning to join you for the upcoming Harvest Moon race, go to the Waterford Yacht Club website at http://www.waterfordyc.com to register.  Or email the Waterford Yacht Club Fleet Captain at Doug.Catenaci@utecsurvey.com, Greg Green at greg@jhaltongroup.com, or Peter van Oosten at peter@ramtec-marine.com.

Best of luck,

Waterford Yacht Club
Current holder of The Wheel