Scoring: How the scoring works

In order to be able to compare the sailing performance of the crews with each other, each yacht has a race value according to its determined potential. This is offset against the time sailed and the result, the calculated time, decides who wins and who loses.

The event takes into account all aspects of a modern event. Help from outside is permitted. Since the advent of powerful data communication systems that work via satellite, crews can surf the internet, write emails or receive special, non-public precision data about the weather or routing suggestions directly, i.e. individually, even on the high seas. The same applies to suggestions drawn up on land for further tactics, which often depend on the positions of the enemy.

To make the event safer and more transparent, a transmitter is installed on each ship, which enables a position update via satellite that is published on the Internet. A programme calculates the time handicaps immediately. This means that an up-to-date list of results is continuously available on the Internet.

How the compensation works: The fastest ship on paper is the "Rambler". It has been assigned a time/reward coefficient (race value) of 1.681, which is based on the ship's performance data, including hull shape, weight and sail size. The Americans must therefore be 1.675 times faster from New York to Cuxhaven than the "Peter von Seestermühe", which has a race value of 1.006. If she needed 17 days, the "Rambler" would have to cover the distance in around ten days to equal her.

The complicated formula used to calculate the race value is called IRC. Theoretically, IMS is more accurate because more performance data of the boats is included. But this measurement, which is also used for (voluntary) scoring in the HSH Nordbank blue race, is normally only afforded to regatta specialists.

The trophy goes to the boat that leads according to the time calculated using the IRC formula. A well-sailed small yacht therefore has a good chance of winning the overall title. With a bit of luck, it will find better wind conditions at the back of the field than the big stars of the event at the front.