HOW TO OBTAIN A RATING
Ross/Thomas Handicap System
The Ross/Thomas system was adopted by CLSC in 1989. It takes into account both the presumed ability of the vessel in good repair and the abilities of the skipper and crew. The handicap process helps level the playing field where there are a wide range of vessel types and sizes. The process is calculated, straightforward, honest, and fair to boaters.
To request an initial Ross/Thomas (RT) Time Correction Factor (TCF), a CLSC member will inform the Vice Commodore of his/her intention to race.
The Vice Commodore, Race Committee Chair and Fleet Captain will assign an initial TCF equal to the difference of the CLSC’s R/T base boat (the CLSC boat rated at 100) from US Sailing’s Dixie Portsmouth Number (DPn). If no DPn is available, the committee may consult US Sailing’s PHRF tables for reference.
In the event that a boat changes hands within the club, the new owner must request a new R/T TCF. Since the R/T TCF is based partly on crew and skipper ability, the assignment of a new initial TCF protects the fleet from exploitation and prevents a beginner from being saddled with a TCF from an expert team.
Member boats which fail to qualify for recalculation in three consecutive series will be removed from the system and must request a new initial TCF.
TCFs shall be recalculated twice annually: at the conclusion of the Spring Series and at the conclusion of the Fall series. To qualify for a recalculation, a boat must post a minimum of three finish times in a series. Once the results of a race are certified by the Race Committee, the times of all finisher’s will be forwarded to the Fleet Captain for recalculation of TCFs.
Procedure
For each race in which a boat experienced no anomalies (i.e. groundings, collisions, etc.)
1. Subtract the corrected time of the first place boat from the corrected time of each subsequent finisher.
2. Convert those numbers to seconds per mile.
3. Divide seconds per mile by six.
4. Add current TCF to the quotient in step three. This sum is equal to TCF Made Good in that race.
5. If TCF Made Good is less than 120% of TCF, record this as TCF Actual, otherwise record 1.2 TCF.
For each boat with at least three TCF’s Actual:
1. Calculate the average of TCF’s Actual. This sum is equal to TCF Calculated.
2. Average the TCF Calculated with the TCFs for the previous two series. This number equals the TCF for the next series.
3. If any boat achieves a TCF lower than the base boat, it becomes the new base boat and all qualifying boats are adjusted equally.
4. If the base boat achieves a TCF higher than 100, all qualifying boats are adjusted equally.
5. The base boat always has a TCF of 100.
6. No TCF shall be lower than 100.
7. No TCF shall be higher than 160.
Note:
Ross Thomas = RT
Time Correction Factor = TCF
“GREAT EXPERIENCE!”
Cherokee Lake Sailing Club is so much fun – whether participating in our racing program, going out for casual cruises or just gathering at the club pavilion for dock parties with a fun group of folks.
“WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS!”
We would love to share our beloved sailing sport with you. Come visit at the dock & see what sailing is all about!
“SO BEAUTIFUL!”
Cherokee Lake is the premier location in East Tennessee for a day of sailing. It is the pristine lake due to its width that enables a sailor to take advantage of various points of sail.
There is currently dock space through Black Oak Marina if you are interested in a berth for your boat. We gather at our club pavilion for club events, as well as holding activities at Off The Hook Restaurant located in the marina.