The information here provides a summary of scoring systems used in sailing and provides an explanation of why we have adopted a High Point Scoring (HPS) for the Supernova Traveller’s Series of open events.

This has proved successful since 2019 so we have adopted HPS for our Travellers/Open circuit events.

In summary - High Point Scoring systems (HPS) have become more widely accepted over the past 15 years. They are useful where 'disassociated' races occur over a long period (in our case annually). It is a points-based system that gives a sailor a percentile performance based on finishing position. First place will get 100 points, with 2nd, 3rd etc spaced equally down to the last finisher. If you retire from racing and do not finish (DNF), we think you should receive some points as you did make the effort to race, so this is worth some points (we give 5 points).

One benefit is that series ties requiring countback to resolve are much less likely.

Another benefit is that if you sail a reasonable number of races in the series, you can average out your score (total score divided by the number of races you competed and finshed in) to give you a Personal Performance Score (PPS). The 'average' sailor will be 50 points. Therefore you can measure how well you are sailing year to year. Bronze fleet competitors will have a PPS below 30 points. The top guys will be above 90!

We also add one further refinement - we derate the points if fewer boats enter a race on a sliding scale. We have set the threshold at 20 boats - this being the average attendance in 2017 and 2018. If, say, only 10 boats are entered, then first place scores less than 100 and all other positions are derated accordingly. This reflects that it is easier to win a 10 boat race than one with many more competitors.

Download the HPS PDF document here for a fuller understanding: HPS

The document also provides a comparison in results applying the previous system (Low point Scoring) with the new system.

Pete Bingham
October 2022