Progress report and just for the record I am racing DX at Carsington with kind permission from my multihul colleagues & CSC Sailing Committee on the understanding that my position in the fleet is scrubbed at the end of the series or single race event, basically I don't get podium positions but do get what I require which is essentially, race/time data against other multihuls that is sent to the RYA to produce (hopefully) in 2010 a PY handicap for DX Sport.
I am sailing DX in competition off the old Dart Sting handicap of 1.23 as we use ISAF/SCHRS for our club racing most of the time. Occasionally like the Boxing Day Persuit we are required to use PY and for DX Sport I am sailing off a PY of 859.
My thanks to all my Carsington Sprint 15 chums for their continued support as each Sunday I sail against them in DX Sport mode without exception and in all weather conditions, a point to note here is that the DX Sport is no harder to sail in extreme conditions than Standard Sprint Sport mode a fact to which George / Robin and the rest of the multihul fleet will confirm.
In all to date I have sailed in over 25 races with the DX Sport coming out on top against Sprint 15 Una/Sport the majority of times, I'm sure that most Sprint 15 helms who know Tom & myself would recognise that in standard format I am unable to compete head to head with Tom (its that son / dad thing)
however when I have raced Tom sailing Standard Sprint Sport and myself sailing DX Sport I have managed to roll back the years and win on
LINE HONOURS however when we switch boats Tom has his sweet revenge
all to quickly by the first windward mark it is all over, I just watch him sail over the horizon.
I have learned over the course of the last twelve months (testing & racing) to sail DX slightly differently and alter the rig set up so that it now optimises the square top sail and larger non furling jib, this will inevitably continue to lower my handicap expectation as I continue to race DX against my fellow Sprint 15ers throughout 2010, I really appreciate their support and understanding, cheers guys
In short and clearly the DX Sport is more efficient
The handicap will in due course be lower than the ISAF / PY mentioned
The DX Sport is able to be sailed in all conditions
YaHoo!