Marion Bermuda Race Moves to Performance Curve Scoring

 The 2021 Marion Bermuda Race organizers continue to work on creating a level playing field for all competitors.  A noble cause but one that is difficult to achieve. We continue to work with the ORA to optimize the race handicapping such that it reflects the actual conditions boats are sailing in. 

The Marion Bermuda Race is excited to announce that this race will be scored using ORR’s Performance Curve Scoring (“PCS”). The core of PCS is the Velocity Prediction Program (VPP), which uses the boat’s measurement information (design, sails, etc.) to predict the boat’s seconds-per-mile ratings over a range of wind speeds and directions

ORR uses its proprietary VPP to provide a series of ratings designed specifically for the Marion Bermuda Race by replicating the historic conditions of the initial beat out of the Bay, reach, and run seen during a typical race. These different ratings define a performance curve for each boat in second per mile versus wind conditions.

As each boat finishes, the boat’s elapsed seconds per mile is calculated. The scoring program uses this time and PCS to find the average wind speed it appears the boat sailed in. The boat with the highest average wins the race, because relative to their rating they sailed the course the fastest among their competitors.

We look forward to an online session given by the ORA for our fleet and the Marion Bermuda Race race committee this spring to answer any questions sailors have about PCS scoring.  For more on performance curve scoring and the race, see the race website.  

Eds note: a version of this article appeared in Sailing Scuttlebutt on Feb. 25, 2021