Friday, November 26, 2010

World Match Racing Tour unveils new points system and 2011 schedule

[Source: World MAtch Racing Tour] The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) has unveiled a new scoring system for the 2011 season to give a more even spread for teams in the top ten. The plans will see points awarded down to 10th place rather than 8th at each stage, while the spread in points between each position will be reduced.

With Tour Card Holders being guaranteed invites to six stages, the new scoring system will still see the team’s best five events count towards their overall position plus the points from the season finale, the Monsoon Cup which carries points worth 1.5 times more.

Under the new scheme the winner of each stage will still win 25 points but the runner up and third place will now receive 22 and 19 respectively compared to the existing model of 20 and 15. The table below shows the proposed breakdown, which will reward teams that perform consistently throughout the season.

WMRT will have nine places available for Tour Card holders in 2011, who will be competing for a bonus prize fund which has been doubled to USD500,000. The top three teams in this year’s WMRT will be guaranteed access to a card - the winner will receive their card for free while the second and third place will be able to secure their cards for USD10,000 and USD20,000 respectively.

Should any of the top three choose not to take up their card next year they will be able to transfer it to another top flight skipper, under the condition that the team taking it up consists of at least 60% of the same crew that won the Tour Card. Invitations for applications for Tour Cards are being distributed this week and must be returned by 17 January. Sailors wishing to find out more can contact WMRT Tour Director Craig Mitchell via www.wmrt.com.

The 2011 Tour will consist of a minimum of nine stages kicking off at Match Race France from 10-15 May and once again finishing with the Monsoon Cup from 22-27 November – a full schedule of events is also listed below.

2011 ISAF MATCH RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

StageDateEventLocationTeams
1May 10 – 15Match Race FranceMarseille, France12
2May 24 – 29Match Race GermanyLangenargen, Germany12
3June 7 - 12Korea Match CupGyeonggi, Korea12
4June 22 - 26Portimao Portugal Match CupPortimao, Portugal12
5July 4 – 10Match Cup SwedenMarstrand, Sweden16
6Aug 24 – 28Danish OpenBornholm, Denmark12
7Aug 30 – Sep 4St Moritz Match RaceSt Moritz, Switzerland12
8October 3 - 9Argo Group Gold CupHamilton, Bermuda24
9Nov 22 – 27Monsoon CupK.Terengganu, Malaysia12


With the Tour actively seeking to add a further six new venues by 2013, it is currently engaged in conversations with a number of interested parties. It is the aim of the Tour to provide new events with a specialist sailing advisor who can offer expert sailing experience and event management skills and is inviting people to apply for the shortlist of special advisers. Those interested should also contact Tour Director Craig Mitchell.

Mitchell commented, “The Tour is never standing still as we’re always looking to improve the experience for the teams, fans, media and public. We feel that the current scoring system is a little top heavy with some teams that perform well being left behind on the leaderboard. Even though match racing is a winner takes all sport we hope that the new system will keep the championship podium open for as long as possible, providing drama and excitement until the final cross.”

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1 Comments:

At 2:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I feel pity that any WMRT news has almost zero interest and response all the times....why?.....it is self explanatory....anyway....here we go.....now you have one.

 

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