KEY WEST 2004   2003 RESULTS  2003 PHOTOS ADDENDUMS   ACCESS CARDS? Yachtshots.com Corrections to your information?       Please CONTACT US        Does your boat/program have a web site? Please TELL US! PRELIMINARY SCRATCH SHEET  as of January 11, 2004  DIVISION 1   |    DIVISION 2    |   DIVISION 3   |   DIVISION 4 Sailing Instructions - Posted January 4, 2004 PHRF Rules and Regulations ADDENDUM #1 - 'Code 0'  headsails - Posted December 30, 2003 - Please Read

One of our primary goals, based on feedback from participating PHRF owners over the years, is to provide 'like racing' - that is to ensure that boats which perform in a similar fashion in a variety of different conditions are racing together. There are a number of factors we take into consideration in our efforts to ensure like racing - even if that means expanding rating bands beyond what one might normally desire. A boat's Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (both the upwind & downwind numbers) and Displacement/Length Ratio are two key factors that come into play. We have posted the D/L Ratios this year so you can see that important number right alongside the assigned handicap. 

Determining class breaks solely on handicap would be a simple task, look neat and tidy on the scratch sheet, and result in notably small rating bands. But this clearly wouldn't provide 'like racing' and the quality competition that PHRF boat owners are seeking in Key West. A C&C 40 and Olson 30 racing together - with nearly identical handicaps - is not the kind of racing that the majority of our PHRF owners are looking for. 

The remarkably close racing in the PHRF fleet over the past 2 years speaks to the steady progress and successes with the regatta's handicapping process and class breaks. Last year, winners from 5 of the 10 classes were decided by 3 points or less - the previous year 6 of 9 classes were decided by 2 points or less. Additionally, Monday's 'Boat of the Day' (most competitive and closely contested class that day) winner came from the PHRF 5 class. The fact that each of the past three years has resulted in a consistent turnout of over 100 PHRF entries (108 / 113 / 112) speaks to our success in administering the PHRF process. 

2004 CONSIDERATIONS / ISSUES
On any given year there are considerations and limitations concerning class breaks. Based on 2004 entries, there are more than usual this time around:

* The 112 PHRF boats is the largest number of PHRF entries in recent years. As it turns out, it is a challenging mix of boats this year - different in many ways from what we had to work with in 2002 or 2003.
* To ensure quality racing and the ability to get 2 and even 3 races completed on any given day, we make every effort to limit ourselves to 6 starts per division. Divisions 2 and 4 will host all PHRF racing as well as the IMS, Corsair 28R, Corsair 24, T-10 and C&C 99 classes.
* These preliminary breaks feature a record 11 different PHRF classes (1 more than 2003 and 2 more than 2002). Entry diversity has meant more classes (and more trophies) - with class size in some cases being relatively small. These factors, coupled with the limitation on the number of starts per division, has resulted in the need for 2 classes to share one starting line in 4 separate instances.
* It should be noted that many of the class rating bands in excess of 30 seconds actually feature a group of like boats with a reasonably tight range with one boat on the top and/or bottom of the class accounting for the spread. 
* Sub Classes: It's been an unusual year in that we received numerous 'groups of entries' that show potential for one design starts in future years (J120 - 7 / Evelyn 32 - 6 / MORC - 6 / J109 - 5 / Farr 395 - 4 / J24 - 4). Though only 8 boats, the T-10's were awarded a one design start because it worked with the preliminary PHRF breaks as we have them. The J/29 (4) and 30 foot sport boats (6) had their own starts last year, but will be sailing in PHRF with 'sub class status' this year. We have done our part by providing daily and series sub-class status and trophies for these specific groups within their PHRF classes.

DIVISION 2

* 6 Starts / 79 Boats

* There are more 'big boats' entered than in previous years. These nine boats, ranging in size from a TP52 to a R/P 75, will race in PHRF 1. We have offered 'IMS Fleet' series awards if 3 or more of these boats in Class A elect to race against their IMS counterparts in Class B. They would need to meet all IMS eligibility requirements.
* There are only five 'IMS 50-footers' this year, so they will share a starting line as they did in 2003. These 5 boats and 3 other PHRF entries will race in Class B with all invited to race for IMS and PHRF trophies so long as they fulfill the applicable entry requirements (sent separate email to these owners). Last year the top 'IMS' and 'PHRF' boats in PHRF 2 went down to the wire with the final race determining the class winner. This 'dual scoring' is commonplace in Europe, particularly in the big boat classes. 
* The 8 boats in PHRF 3 include 4 Farr 395s, which will be eligible for subclass trophies. This moderate displacement class features a tight rating band of 18 seconds. A 9-boat, light displacement A-sail group makes up PHRF 4. Two Farr 36s and a Schock 40 will join six 30' sportboats in this class. With a practical limitation in the number of class starts, PHRF 3 (C1) will share a starting line with PHRF 4 (C2). They will be scored separately and have their own daily and series trophies. The alternative would be to race these boats together or incorporate them into classes above or below - options which we feel are less desirable for these boats and the other classes. We are cognizant of the 'downside' with shared starting lines and have had lengthy dialogue on the subject. Shared starts have been utilized numerous times in past years at Key West, including 2002 and 2003. 
* PHRF 5 (D) is a 12-boat class comprised of J/120s and J/109s (both eligible for sub class trophies).
* PHRF 6 (E) is a highly competitive 14-boat class, which includes 3 Beneteau 36.7s and two 40.7s, and a 36 second rating band.
* The Corsair 28R one design class returns to Division 2 (F1), starting sixth. This multihull class will share a starting line with their sister class - the Corsair 24 (F2). There are 10 boats in F1 and 9 boats in F2.

DIVISION 4

* 6 Starts / 72 boats

* PHRF 7 (Class A) is a 14-boat light displacement class with a 39 sec rating band. The class includes a pair of Soverel 33s, Olsen 30s and 6 Evelyn 32s, which will be eligible for sub class trophies.
* PHRF 8 (B) will start 2rd. This heavy displacement class includes 2 Swans. While the rating band is wider than what we strive for (63 secs), this is a group of boats that should be competing together.
* The 11-boat C&C 99 class (C) starts 3th.
* PHRF 9 (D) is an 11-boat class with 5 entries that listed MORC as their first choice for racing. We will 'dual score' the MORC boats and they will receive sub class trophies based on MORC results. The six other entries, including the J/29s, fit the D/L and SA/D profiles of the MORC boats. The four J/29s in this class are eligible for sub class trophies.
* Unlike in 2003, this year we were able to put together a light to moderate displacement class of 25-27 footers with a tight rating band of 27 secs. PHRF 10 is a small class featuring only 8 boats. With a practical limitation in the number of class starts, PHRF 10 (E1) will share a starting line with the 8 boat T-10 class (E2). They will be scored separately and have their own daily and series trophies. The alternative would be to incorporate this group of 25-27 footers and T-10's into other PHRF classes - an option which we feel is less desirable for those boats and the surrounding PHRF classes. As stated earlier in this letter, we are cognizant of the 'downside' with shared starting lines and have had lengthy dialogue on the subject. Shared starts have been utilized numerous times in past years at Key West, including 2002 and 2003. In this particular case there are only 8 boats in E1 and 8 in E2. 
* PHRF 11 (F) is and 11-boat class with a rating band of 33 seconds. The four J/24s will be eligible for sub class trophies.

As always, we welcome your constructive criticism and feedback. Please keep in mind that we are very reluctant to make last minute changes and timely feedback is essential. If you see something you don't agree with, please don't just state that a boat does not belong is a certain class. It will be far more effective to present the perceived problem along with a potential solution and your justification for the change.

We look forward to another week of excellent PHRF competition at Terra Nova Trading Key West 2004.

Sincerely yours,
          Peter Craig
          Race Chairman

UPDATE #4 -  JANUARY 11, 2004

Andrews 26 moved from PHRF 9 to PHRF 10.

UPDATE #3 -  JANUARY 9, 2004

Two Handicaps changed in PHRF 1.

CLASS BREAK UPDATE #2 -  JANUARY 5, 2004

1) The Thompson 870 Stand Aside will race in PHRF 4 (formerly in PHRF 6). The handicap for the Thompson 870 has been returned to 66.

Peter S. Craig, Race Chairman

CLASS BREAK UPDATE #1 -  JANUARY 2, 2004

1) The Corsair 24 Class will race on Division 4 (formerly on Division 2). The Corsair 24 class will be the first start (Class A) on Division 4.

2) The SR-33 Outrageous (preliminary handicap 66) will race in PHRF 6 (formerly in PHRF 7).

3) The Thompson 870 Stand Aside will race in PHRF 6 (formerly in PHRF 7). The handicap for the Thompson 870 has been adjusted from a preliminary 63 to a preliminary 66, based on her current class placement (2004 PHRF Rules and Regulations  - Section III K.)

Peter S. Craig, Race Chairman

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