Handicapping with a crystal ball

In 2025, the Marion Bermuda Race will utilize a new scoring system – Forecast Time Correction Factor (F-TCF) – to provide a “more level” playing field for all boats. To do so, F-TCF uses actual wind conditions at the start of the race to apply a more accurate handicap to the boats.

“Disruptive weather systems that variably affect different parts of the fleet are not accounted for using PCS (Performance Curve Scoring),” explains event management. “This often results in ‘lucky’ weather patterns that favor or disfavor boats in particular performance bands. For example, a ridge develops 150 miles from Bermuda and the fast half of the fleet becomes ‘parked’ there for a period of time while the slow half of the fleet catches up, and then wind fills in. In this example the slow boats were ‘lucky’.”

F-TCF uses the forecast for the racecourse and each boat’s expected route and speed, so boats that are predicted to be impacted by a disruption will have a predicted elapsed time and corresponding F-TCF that accounts for this impact. For more information, click here.