Great Lakes Handicaps

Here is the method we use in making handicap adjustments


SailJuice Winter Series Results - We look at the mix of boat configurations in the top 20 series places:  Single v double handers; No spinnaker v symmetric spinnaker v asymmetric spinnaker; No trapeze v 1 trapeze v 2 trapezes; Handicap less than 1000 and more than 1000.  We are looking to see a good mix showing that any well sailed boat can get into the top places.
SWS Top 20 Classes 2012-26.pdf SWS Top 20 Classes 2012-26.pdf
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SWS Top 20 Configs 2012-26.pdf SWS Top 20 Configs 2012-26.pdf
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SailJuice Winter Series Participation - We look at how many of each class has participated to see what if any effect our handicap changes are having on participation.  From what we see, class plans to make the winter series part of their own traveller series have a much greater impact than handicaps.
SWS Participation by Class 2012-26.pdf SWS Participation by Class 2012-26.pdf
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SailJuice Winter Series Results Data Analysis - We use the RYA PYS system to analyse the series results going back to 2010.  We using a rolling 5 year report to guide changes as this gives better weight to new and development classes.  We also review the full report to see if suggestions from the PYS system are fluctuating significantly. We will make smaller year on year adjustments if so.
SWS PYS 5 year rolling 2019-26.pdf SWS PYS 5 year rolling 2019-26.pdf
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SWS PYS Full Report to Feb 2026.pdf SWS PYS Full Report to Feb 2026.pdf
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Our Approach to Adjusting Handicaps
For classes where we do not have significant race results data and the RYA has a published PY number, we use those that fit the SailJuice Winter Series results (Note 1 on the list).

Where we have significant SailJuice Winter Series results data we review the PYS suggested adjustments. We use the PYS confidence as opposite to limit changes.  We adopt those that fit with the series results  (Note 2).

For classes which take part in club racing at the series venues but do not take part in the winter series we may adopt the club number (Note 3).

For boats with no RYA number and not enough series results to generate a PYS confidence factor we use the boat specs to set an initial number and adjust based on results  (Note 4).

In the first season of a new class we may adjust their  handicap during the season based on the initial race results (Note 4a).  

For multihulls that do not have an RYA number but do have an  SCHRS number, we use the RYA published conversion factor (Note 5).

  Use of PYS Data
Confidence      Change
0.1      One third of gap, rounded down
0.2                         
     One third of gap, rounded up
0.3      One half of gap, rounded down
0.4      One half of gap, rounded up
0.5      Two thirds of gap, rounded down
0.6      Two thirds of gap, rounded up
0.7           Three quarters of gap, rounded down
0.8      Three quarters of gap, rounded up
0.9       All of gap, rounded down