The Regatta Vereinigung Seesegeln (RVS) has reached an agreement with the Deutscher Segler-Verband (DSV) on new class limits for 2016. The basis is no longer the General Purpose Handicap (GPH), the average time pay factor according to the ORCi measurement, but the Class Division Length (CDL), a length-dependent categorisation.
Unlike the GPH, the CDL value does not provide holistic information about the performance of a yacht, but refers exclusively to the performance at the cross. In addition to the measured waterline, the CDL value also includes the calculated upwind performance of a yacht in twelve knots of wind, taken from the ORCi measurement certificate.
This combination of physical size and calculated performance therefore addresses the problem of different speed potentials and ship dimensions. In concrete terms, this means that by focussing on upwind performance for class classification, the fields in up & down regattas become significantly more homogeneous.
This means that smaller yachts, which are fast on the beam or downwind courses but slow on the cross, should no longer start together with significantly larger yachts that are faster on the cross, as has often been the case in the past. Over the entire course, these could be approximately fast, which is why they have been grouped together in a starting group up to now. However, a lower speed at the cross leads to the major disadvantage of having to sail into the downwinds of faster yachts early on or having to accept an unfavourable choice of beat due to free sailing. This disadvantage is not taken into account in the GPH value.
By grouping similarly sized and fast yachts at the cross in one start, this disadvantage should materialise later than before or even be avoided altogether.
The evaluation of the calculated results is in no way affected by the introduction of the CDL value, as CDL is solely a key figure for grouping the starting groups. The calculated results will continue to be produced using the usual scoring methods.
The group limits for German ORC regattas 2016 are as follows:
- ORC 1: / 11.6 m
- ORC 2: ≤ 11.6 m - / 9.7 m
- ORC 3: ≤ 9.7 m - / 8.2 m
- ORC 4: ≤ 8.2 m
The German group boundaries are based on the group boundaries of the ORCi World Championship 2016 off Copenhagen, but are supplemented by an additional group ORC 4 for yachts smaller than 30 feet.
"It is a matter close to our hearts to reach out to the smaller yachts and incentivise young, sporty sailors to take part in ORC regattas with their yachts," says Uwe Wenzel, 1st Chairman of the RVS. "Especially at a time when prices for used yachts are falling significantly, ORCi4 offers a real opportunity to get into sailing. Whether Platu 25, Banner 28, Hanse 291, Albin Ballad, X-95, Hiddensee or or or: there is a wide range on offer," continues Wenzel.
A more detailed explanation of the CDL value can be found on the Page of the RVS can be downloaded.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
