Scoring a regatta using ranking to split fleets

Using a sailor's rank to split fleets is a method generally confined to International level DN regattas. So this generally means there are multiple fleets and fleet sizes are fairly large (50 sailors or more per fleet). The DN Regatta Scoring Program was specifically designed to help in this arduous task.

It is assumed the user is already familiar with using the scoring program, so basic setup and program use will not be discussed. If you need a refresher on using the scoring program, run through the beginner tutorial before tackling fleet splitting by rank.

For this process to go smoothly we have a few prerequisites:

1. All sailors must have confirmed ranks. This should be double-checked at regatta check-in time - if a sailor disputes the rank on record, it will be much easier to correct it before splitting the fleets and hitting the ice.
2. The rules on fleet splitting provide a method for determining which sailors are assigned to different fleets if they have the same rank. The rule is based on results for the last two years of International results. Make sure you have on hand the results for the last two World Championships, North American Championships, and European Championships.
   
   p.s. you may also need these results to settle any argument over sailor ranking.
3. You should have some top level regatta officials present to decide how many sailors should be in each fleet. This decision is based on the By-Laws, with consideration for the number of sailors and expected conditions (size of the available ice, weather, etc). Leave this decision up to the top brass - Commodore, Vice Commodore, Race Committee Chairman, etc).

Assuming we have everything we need, let's set up the scoring program and get started.

1. Start the Regatta Scoring Program
2. Set up a new regatta using the "IDNIYRA Worlds" scoring system. Note: this is currently (2010) the only approved scoring system used in the IDNIYRA for international regattas.
3. Enter the Configuration Menu and select "Automatic fleet splitting"
4. By default Automatic Fleet Splitting is turned off. Hit F7 to turn it on.
5. Hit F8 and change the number of sailors you want in each fleet.
6. Hit F5 to accept your changes.
7. Go to the Sailor Menu and select "Add sailor from library".
8. Enter all of the sailors in the regatta. Double check each sailor's rank to make sure it is correct! The library will list selected sailors with an asterisk (*).
9. When you leave the library, make sure to it if you have made any changes. The program will automatically split the fleets. You're done!
10. Hold on, it's not so easy.
11. Go to the Print Menu, and print the fleets, sorting by rank. Note: you don't need to actually print them at this point, just print to a file.
12. Look at the print output. Check the division between the fleets. Chances are the fleet splits occurs between sailors with equal ranks. Fixing this is the hardest part, and there are two accepted methods:
    1. Confer with the Top Brass and decide if it makes sense to change fleet sizes to make the split occur where all sailors with an equal rank are moved into the same fleet. This is the easiest thing to do for the person setting up the regatta.
       1. Starting with A fleet, Let Top Brass figure out the new fleet size so all sailors with equal rank are either moved into B fleet or A fleet.
       2. Go into the Configure Menu and change the Automatic Fleet Split fleet size for A fleet.
       3. Print out the fleets, sorted by rank.
       4. Now figure out the size for B fleet, and repeat the steps above for each fleet.
    2. Follow the IDNIYRA By-Laws to decide which sailors should be in each fleet. A current Yearbook needed here to make sure you do it right - have Top Brass on hand so they are ultimately responsible.
13. Print out the fleet rosters one last time , double check the splits, and get the blessing of the Top Brass.
14. Print out the fleet rosters with a random sort for starting positions. Change the name of the output file to something appropriate - random.txt or something. Make sure the Top Brass is still around for this step so nobody will accuse you of manipulating the positions. Print out several copies (really print them at this point) and post one set on the Official Bulletin Board. You will at least need starting position prints for the Race Committe Chairman, the Official Bulletin Board (at regatta headquarters), the Official Bulletin Board (at the race site), the Official Bulletin Board (at the racing area), and a copy for your records.
15. Now that the fleets are split you and the Top Brass can retire to the bar for the night. But before doing that, go into the Configure Menu and turn Automatic fleet splitting off. This will allow you to add any additional sailors to individual fleets without having the program re-split based on rank.
    
    Note: if you need to redo the split based on rank, turn Automatic Fleet Splitting back on and it will resplit the fleets. Make sure you really want this and then follow the steps to make sure sailors of equal rank are handled properly.
16. The next steps are to enter daily results as usual. This is where you will really apreciate the program. This step used to take 3-4 hours to do by hand, and always resulted in mistakes. Even using other programs mistakes could creep in, but very rarely occur using the DN Regatta Scoring Progam.

Caveat: This program will not handle redress!! As startling as this is, it has never come up in an International level DN regatta in the last 15 years or more. If you have redress determined by a Protest Hearing, you will need to manually alter the results by hand. The easiest way to do this would be to give the affected sailor(s) a DNF. Explain the situation and leave it until the regatta is over. Next print out the results and compute the correct total points based on redress points awarded. Figure out where the affected sailor would finish and edit the results to insert the sailor into the correct finish position.