New Scoring System For Tokyo Olympic Yachting

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30284, 9 November 1963, Page 14

New Scoring System For Tokyo Olympic Yachting

(NJSJ’A.-Reatsr— ConrigM) LONDON, November 8. The International Yacht Racing Union, at a meeting yesterday, announced it planned to change the scoring system for races before next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games. A long-standing flaw in the rules was revealed in the Pan-American Games in Brazil this year, when two of the classes ended in a tie. At present the rules state: “There will be seven races in each class, only six of which will count except in the case of a tie.” Officials of the Pan-Ameri-can Games solved the problem by making the decision from five races out of seven. Recommendation The I.Y.R.U. policy committee now recommended that: “In the event of a tie on points between two or more yachts after counting the six best races, the number of times each tied yacht has beaten the other in the seven races shall decide. Should this fail to resolve the tie the tied yachts shall sail a decider.” [ln 1956 at Melbourne when R. L. Tasker, of Perth, tied with P. G. Mander, of Christchurch, in the 12 sq.m. Sharpie class. Mander was awarded the Gold Medal with three wins, compared with Tasker’s two.]

The union plans to discuss the matter further before making a change. A West German submission for helsmmen to compete in their own boats in the Finn class at the Olympics was rejected. The committee said the Japanese were providing the craft and conditions would be the same for everyone. In other classes helmsmen compete in their own boats. Mr Peter Scott, of Britain, was chosen as president of the International Jury for next year’s Olympics. The vice-presidents are Mr Gregg Bemis (United States) and Mr Niels Benzon (Denmark). The I.Y.R.U. decided that future grants of international racing status to classes of boat would be for nine years. After that the rating could be reviewed every three years.