Class Choices
CYCT Racing Program

In order to provide racing programs that fit nearly all types of racers, from the more serious to the casual, from the experienced to the novice, CYCT has developed the following three “Classes” for each skipper to select. For scoring purposes, once you enter a series in a selected class, you must race in that series in the same class. There are other restrictions noted below, but if you have any questions, please contact CYCT’s Race Chairman.

PHRF Class: For those who are experienced racers or those looking to challenge themselves. This class requires your boat to have a valid PHRF Handicap, and races are handicapped based on your rating used in at Time-on-Time format. There is no restriction on the use of sails as long as the boat, sails, and gear are in the same configuration as your valid PHRF Handicap Certificate.

Challenger Class: For those who wish to step up from the Windseekers class, here is your chance. This fleet is for those who want to challenge themselves beyond Windseekers, utilize their spinnakers, and get a taste for handicapped racing. Because the intent of this class is to bring new racers along who will eventually compete in the PHRF Class, there are a few criteria to meet:

A. Either a valid PHRF Certificate OR, upon request, a CYCT club generated handicap will be acceptable. However, a rating developed by CYCT will not be valid in any other race series outside of those managed by CYCT. Our hope would be that each racer, upon receiving their handicap, would continue on and obtain a PHRF Certificate (Club will assist) that would be useable in races beyond CYCT. Cost for a PHRF Certificate is $55 for the year.
B. Boats entered in this class should be new to the fleet, have raced in the Windseekers Class the previous year OR, if they have raced in the PHRF Class the previous year, cannot have finished 3 place or higher in any series the previous year.
C. Boats in the Challenger Class may utilize their spinnakers or any other sail configuration for which they have been rated with.
D. Boats may choose to rate their boat without a spinnaker and still race in this handicapped fleet.
E. Unless there are more than (10) boats in the Challenger Class, there will be only one Division in the Challenger Class.
F. Because the intent of this class is to provide an environment for racer’s competition level to match their gained experience, upon review of results at the end of each year, the CYCT Race Chairman may recommend that a boat advance to the PHRF Class.
G. No boat shall be allowed to remain in the Challenger Class for more than (2) years / seasons.

Windseekers Class: Where it all started many years ago. For those just learning or who want to race in a more relaxed fleet. No rating required, the use of flying sails is prohibited, and where you finish is where you finished. And even if you cannot make it to the finish line, the committee will go back through the fleet and give you a finish – the legendary “HOC” (Horned on Course) finish.

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