Portsmouth Yardstick annual return - Clubs urged to complete

by Emma Slater on 3 Sep 2013 It is time for all clubs holding any amount of handicap racing for Dinghies, Keelboats or Multihulls to complete their Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) scheme annual return as the summer season comes to a close.

Clubs can return their data to the RYA by either adopting the use of the PY Online website or completing an electronic return form available from RYA website

The returns period starts in September and closes mid-December. The deadline for the RYA to receive your return for 2013 is the 16 December.

Clubs are being encouraged to use the PY Online website to make their return as the website also analyses club race results and calculates club handicaps. Clubs using the PY Online website also benefit from not having to fill in a return form as the RYA will retrieve club data from the website on the 16 December at the end of the return period.

Andy Wibroe, RYA Technical Coordinator said 'The RYA has seen increased use of the PY Online website year on year since its introduction in 2009. With more and more clubs actively using the website, the RYA are able to publish more relevant handicap numbers within the Portsmouth Number list and clubs are benefitting from the accurate handicaps the website produces for their club racing. It is vital for the scheme’s future that every club sends in a return no matter how big or small so that the RYA can continue to develop the scheme and promote and support handicap racing for Dinghies, Keelboats and Multihulls.'

The RYA Portsmouth Yardstick scheme (PY) allows sailing clubs across the UK and further afield to run mixed fleet handicap racing for Dinghies, Keelboats and Multihulls. Now in its 61st year the PY is going from strength to strength with club interaction at an all-time high. The RYA Portsmouth Yardstick scheme is run jointly by the RYA and sailing clubs to ensure the fairest racing is achieved. Each year the RYA publish the Portsmouth Number (PN) list containing handicap numbers for a variety of classes which clubs use to aid the development of local handicaps.

The PN list relies on data from clubs on an annual basis in the form of a club return. It is this data from clubs that allows the scheme to thrive and develop. In 2012 the RYA received over 130 returns from clubs across the UK and overseas submitting information on handicap racing at their club. The RYA are dedicated to ensuring the number of returns for the 2013 season grows from that in 2012 in order to keep developing the scheme and capture key information about handicap racing.

For more information on the Portsmouth Yardstick scheme or to submit an electronic return form for your club please visit: RYA website