Hi all,

on the east coast of OZ we sail a mix of race types. Some short course 1hr. duration, some older style 2hrs, and some long distance races. Courses vary from triangle sausage, to windward and returns all depends on the cat classes.

As far as handicap is concerned VYC yardstick is pretty much treated as gospel. Yes it is performance based and this saw the Mosquito with spinnakers yardstick reduced this year as it placed very well in most races last year. Making it harder for Mosquitos to win on yardstick in mixed fleets this year.

Most clubs run mixed fleet racing as there are not enough cats of one design to have a fleet. Generaly they will seperate results for a class from the mixed fleets if there are more than 5 of one class. But will not give seperate starts corses until there are at least 10 of a class. Alot of open reggattas will split the cat fleet on a Yardstick basis if they have 10 or more in each fleet, but they will often sail the same course with less laps for the slower cats. Although sometimes this "slow fleet" includes some 16' cats as well as 14 footers.

Regards Gary.