Sailing Results System |
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The Sailing Results System is an MS-DOS program that takes the hassle out of calculating the results for a dinghy sailing race. The program uses the Royal Yachting Association Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) handicap method for calculating race results. The program will run under Windows 3.1/95/98/NT and OS/2, in a DOS session window or screen.
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- Free
- Easy to use
- Can handle up to 300 competitors
- Runs under MS-DOS.
- Built in Race Timer.
- Export feature allows you to use the results with other software.
- Uses the new RYA Portsmouth Yardstick system.
The following steps explain how you would use the program to calculate the results for a dinghy/cat race.
Step 1 - Load the Program
To load the program type rrs at the DOS prompt. In Windows double-click on the file rrs.exe.
Once the program has loaded you will be presented with a menu of options. The bottom line of the screen explains what the currently selected menu option does. The time of day is displayed at the top right hand side of the screen. To change the time displayed, quit the program and from the DOS prompt type time.
You can toggle the screen between colour and monochrome modes by pressing F1 whenever the main menu screen is displayed (you can also select the screen mode from the options menu).
Step 2 - Start a New Race
Before starting a new race you should clear any current race information from memory. To do this simply select New Race from the main menu. This will bring up a sub menu. Select:
- Clear All to clear all competitor and finishing time information from memory.
- Clear Competitor Times to clear any competitor finishing times that you may have entered into the system without clearing the actual competitor information. This option keeps any competitor information you have typed in but resets every competitors finishing time to zero. This is useful if you want to use the system for several races which have the same competitors.
Step 3 - Enter Information About the Race
Select Edit Race Info from the main menu and type in the name, date and race officer for the race. Select Exit to return to the main menu.
NOTE: By default the date field will be set to the system date.
Step 4 - Enter Competitor Information
Select Edit Competitor Info, from the main menu, to enter details about the competitors taking part in the race into the system.
Type in the helms name, the crews name (if the boat is two-man), and the sail number. Then enter the class of boat, for example laser. As soon as you press return or the down arrow key the handicap number for the class will be automatically filled in for you if it is known to the system. Otherwise, type in the handicap number.
The system uses the new RYA handicap numbers (based on the year 2000 published numbers), so if you enter the class as laser the system will fill in the handicap field with 1078. See Default Handicaps for a list of classes known to the system and the default handicap numbers. You can edit the default handicaps from the options menu.
If you want to use a different handicap number to the one automatically entered, just add any character after the name of the class, for example laser-, and enter your own handicap number.
Adding More Competitors and Moving between Competitors
To enter another competitor, or display/edit the next competitor - press F2.
To display/edit the previous competitor - press F1Jumping between Records
To go to a specific record number (competitor) - press F3. Type in a number from 1 to 300 and press the return key to go that record number.
To select a competitor from a list of all competitors - press F5. A list will popup showing the helm, sail number and class for each competitor in a row. Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight any competitor. Use the PageUp and PageDown keys to select a specific competitor. Press enter to view/edit that competitors details.Deleting a Competitor
To delete a competitor - press F6.When you have finished entering competitor information press F4 to return to the main menu.
NOTE: You should try to enter the details of all competitors in the current race before the race starts, though this is not essential.
Step 5 - Start the Race Timer (optional)
The race timer allows you to record competitor finishing times at the touch of a button once it has been started.
If you do not want to use the internal timer proceed to the next step:
Step 6: Enter Competitor Finishing Times.To use the internal race timer to time the race select Race Timer from the main menu. This will display a sub menu with the following options:
NOTE: If you are using 6 minute/3 minute countdown just use the 1 minute countdown option.
- Start/Reset Timer.
This starts the internal timer, which will be displayed at the bottom of the screen in h:mm:ss format and just seconds. If you select this option after the timer has been started, you will be asked if you want to reset the timer.- Stop Race Timer.
Stops/turns off the race timer.- Set Race Timer.
This option allows you to start the race timer from a specified time. Use this option to get the internal race timer synchronised with your main race timer (your wristwatch etc).- 11 Minute countdown.
This will start an 11 minute countdown with the following warnings:
- 30 seconds before 10 minutes until race start you will be warned to Get ready to breakout class flag or 'H' for Handicap.
- 10 minutes before race start, the program will beep and say - Class flag or 'H' flag should be flying.
- 30 seconds before 5 minutes you will be warned to Get ready to breakout Blue Peter flag.
- At 5 minutes the program will beep and warn that Blue Peter should be flying.
- At 30 seconds before the start of the race the program will warn Get ready to take flags down.
- The program will beep for 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 seconds before the race.
- When the countdown reaches zero the program will beep and start the internal race timer.
- 10 Minute countdown. Same as the 11 minute countdown but starts at 10 minutes.
- 5 Minute countdown. Same as the 11 minute countdown but starts at 5 minutes.
- 1 Minute countdown. Same as the 11 minute countdown but starts at 1 minute.
Step 6 - Enter Competitor Finishing Times
Enter competitor finishing times into the system by selecting Edit Finishing Times from the main menu.
Use the F2 and F1 keys to display the details of the next/previous competitor respectively. You can also press F5 to select a competitor from a list of competitors.
Once you have selected the desired competitor, you can enter their finishing time. If you have started the race timer press F10 as the competitor crosses the finish line, to record their finishing time into the system.
If you want to change a specific competitors details quickly, press F7 - this will take you to the competitor information screen. Press F4 to return back to the finishing times screen
Step 7: Calculate the Results
Select Calculate Results from the main menu. Results will only be calculated for competitors who have a handicap number and a finishing time. A warning message will appear if there is not enough information to calculate any results (you need at least one competitor with a finishing time to be able to display the results).
If there is enough information to calculate results then a sub menu will appear. Select:
The results contain the following items of information for each competitor: Position, Helm & Crew name, SailNo, Class, Elapsed time, Corrected Time and Time Difference.
- View Results - to display the race results on the screen.
- Print Results - to print the results to your printer.
- Export Results - see below.
The time difference field is the difference in corrected time between two adjacent competitors in the results list.
Exporting Race Results (CSV format)
Use the Export Results option to save the results in CSV (comma seperated variable) format if you want to use the results with other applications such as databases or spreadsheets.After selecting this option you will be prompted for a filename. The filename will have the extension .ASC added to it.
The results will be saved in the following format:
To use results with a database, use the Import function, and select delimited text. The delimiter used is a comma. For example, in Microsoft Access set up a new database, then select File/Import, and then select Text (Delimited). You can use a database or other application to print the results in a more attractive style.
Position, Helm, Crew, SailNo, Class, Handicap, elapsed time (seconds), corrected time (seconds), elapsed time (h:m:s), corrected time (h:m:s).Loading And Saving Races.
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Select the File Menu from the main menu. The options should be self explanatory. NOTE: The program only saves information about competitors who have a handicap number.
The Options Menu allows you to change three important settings.
- The first option allows you to toggle the screen between monochrome and colour modes.
- The second option allows you to use the variable handicap system instead of the standard RYA PY handicap system - see below.
- The last option allows you to change the default handicaps.
Variable Handicap System
The variable handicap system should be used for single-class racing.This options allows any competitor to be given a 'head start' in the form of a time bonus. The time bonus can be entered on the competitor information screen in the 'Time Allow.' field.
The time is entered as 'minutes : seconds'. This time will be subtracted from the competitors elapsed time when the results are calculated and shown as the 'corrected time'. If the time allowance is greater than the elapsed time than the competitors position on the results will be shown as 'ERR' and the corrected time will be shown as 'ERROR'.
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You can change the default handicaps by selecting the Options Menu followed by the Edit Handicaps option.
Class PY Scorpion 1060 Laser 1078 Osprey 938 Laser2 1033 505 902 Byte 1160 Phantom 1051 Europe 1139 470 973 420 1087 Topper 1288 Cherub 1047 Moth (Int) 1001 RS400 952 Contender 994 Mirror 1364 GP14 1127 Enterprise 1116 Wayfarer 1099 Solo 1155 Merlin Rocket 1024 Dart18 798 Dart15 916 Hobie18 744 Hurricane 9.5 691
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THERE IS NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE QUALITY OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS PROGRAM. THE ENTIRE RISK FOR THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM IS ASSUMED BY THE USER (YOU). THE AUTHOR MAY NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF DATA, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER GOODS RESULTING BY THE USE OR POSSESSION OF THIS PROGRAM, EVEN IF IN KNOWLEDGE THAT SUCH LOSS OR CORRUPTION MIGHT HAPPEN. SHOULD APPLICABLE LAWS LIMIT THE EXTENT OF THIS DISCLAIMER, OR IMPOSE ANY FORM OF RESPONSIBILITY, THEN YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THIS SOFTWARE.
The program has been tested on a P120 running Windows 95 (16mb ram), a 1986 IBM Convertible Monochrome Laptop running MS- DOS 6.20 (512k ram), a P-166 running Windows NT, and a PIII-500 running Windows 98. The program has been used and tested at Sheppey Yacht Club. You should run this system in conjuncture with the normal methods for running a race, such as using a stop watch / clock to time the race and writing down finishing times on a results sheet / paper.
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- Maximum of 300 competitors.
- Race time cannot exceed 9 hours.
- Maximum of 50 auto-enter handicap numbers
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- Add a DNS/DNF (did not start/did not finish) option.
- Add another race timer.
- Improve the user interface.
- Write a Windows specific or Java version.
1.07a - Updated default handicaps to year 2000 PY numbers. Updated documentation. 1.07 - Added option to change default handicaps. Updated documentation.
1.06beta - Added support for variable handicap system
1.05a - Fixed some very minor bugs, changed a few things, updated documentation
1.05 - Added a few more features such as (export).
1.04b - Fixed a few bugs
1.04c - fixed a bug which prevented races from being saved.
1.04a - First public release
The program was written for MS-DOS specifically to allow as many people as possible to be able to use it. You can buy PC's which can run MS- DOS programs very cheaply, which is ideal for sailing clubs which don't have much money, or are donated old computer equipment.
The program uses the following formula to calculate the corrected time:
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corrected time = (elapsed time in seconds) / (handicap number) * 1000
The corrected time is rounded to the nearest whole number. If the fractional part is greater than 0.5 then the corrected time is rounded up, else it is rounded down to the nearest whole number.
| © 1995-2000 James Bell |