"If it was done as a single 1 design fleet there would be either 12 or 8 boats signed up instead of 20."

Probably true, but is that documented? Wouldn't people make the effort to find a boat for this race, or possibly even switch classes for the rest of the year so they could practice for this event? I seem to recall that happening for W1000 races.

It sounds like the racers (actual potential entrants) that care have voiced their opinions here and want the split fleet scoring. The rest of us spectators are just trying to give an outside world perspective.

To use the NASCAR analogy (and I'm not a fan, so I'll probably screw this up somehow), it would sort of be like taking the Daytona cars, and racing them with the pickup trucks. Same course, same distance, totally (somewhat?) different speed potential, and you want to come up with ONE overall winner for the media and spectators to easily understand. Good luck...

Mark, I doubt this is what you meant, but the Portsmouth rating is equally unfair for the 100-milers.

Mike