Tom,

The structure of the proposals by Mark and myself are not complicated, but they do require some knowledge about the internals of the PN system.

First of all Mark states that data submitted to the US PN committee (on which handicaps are adjusted) is INDEPENDENT on which handicap was used to make the final score listing of that race.

In effect, for adjusting the numbers it really doesn't matter one bit whether the F16 uni's ask to scored against the 1-up handicap or the 2-up handicap. The basic ELAPSED TIME data send to the committee is unaffected by this choice.

Secondly my proposal revolves around the RESETTING the initial value of the F16 ratings on which the data of the last few years is effected. Basically it means that a rerun of all the adjustment calculations are done but now beginning with a different starting value. This starting value that was used was most likely arbitrary anyway, so there is no real reason against chosen a more accurate one.

A third element of the proposals is to reset the initial value of both F16 ratings (1-up and 2-up) to the same number. With the very limited data that is available at the PN committee this may be expected to keep both numbers equal or nearly equal, which in turn would solve the issues related to that.

Basically, but proposals are great compromises where all parties get to keep their "pet-peeves" and I think we therefor should give both a try. Additionally both proposals are complementary and can therefor be effected simultaniously.

Pursuing these proposals is indeed the Corinthian thing to do.

With respect to some other points raised. There simply is no "circumventing the 1-up rating", no-one can be angree about the fact that the F16 sailors have themselves scored against a faster rating. If any party is disadvantages by this then it is the F16 sailors who requested this themselves. Again It should be noted that the raw data the US PN uses for adjusting the ratings in totally UNAFFECTED by how the event listing is composed (requested handicap numbers).

Wouter