Regatta Scoring and Race Management

A comprehensive computer program for Regatta Scoring and Race Management. There is no other program available which even approaches the versatility and speed of this program.

A menu option is included as an integral part of the program which automatically creates web pages for posting race results on the internet.

The program includes the ORCA (Observed Results Computer Analyzed) optimized time correction method. This method statistically analyzes the elapsed times and ratings of finishers. In turn this produces time corrections which are considerably more fair than the corrections obtained using either time on distance or time on time.

The program makes all known (known to me, that is) time correction methods available, so you don't have to use ORCA if you prefer not to. Time correction methods are selected from a menu when defining individual divisions.

In time, given a fair chance, ORCA optimized time corrections will become the universally accepted time correction standard. ORCA corrections are fair. The larger and more varied the fleet, the more dramatic the improvement in race results when ORCA is used. If you enter a regatta, and don't know what kind of conditions to expect, you can be assured of having a fair chance if the time correction method to be used is ORCA. This is not true for time on time or time on distance, as results using these methods are quite dependent on conditions on the race course, and not necessarily on how well the boats were sailed!

You are welcome to download the program for non commercial use. You will need a PC type computer with at least a 386 DX Intel type processor, 4 mb RAM, useable memory for running a program of at least 575k (you'll have to use a memory manager), VGA or SVGA video card, and 10 mb hard disk space for testing purposes.

A brief description is included with the program in the form of readme files. More documentation is available upon request. It is a large, and comprehensive program. There is a learning curve involved and it will take some time to become comfortable with it. Just like you have to learn to use a new word processor, you have to learn to use the Regatta program. Study the sample regattas, understand how they work. Take some of your old regatta records, and run these on the program. (Also see how the results would be under ORCA). If you do this you'll be ready to use the program for the coming season.

The program is in a development state. It is in Beta after 4 years of testing and over 3500 hours of C++ programming. Please let us hear of any difficulties you encounter, and enhancements you would like included.

At this time we do not have an internet account, and a friend has kindly allowed us to post this program. Please be considerate, and do not burden her with questions, etc.

For email, be sure to use: regatta@bigband.com