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Scoring Systems and Abandonments
To win a regatta, you need more than fast sailing – you must understand the scoring system. Scoring systems determine how individual results become total points, which races count, and which are discarded. Abandonments – whether due to lack of wind, thunderstorms, or safety risks – change the day's schedule and can affect the overall standings. Both are defined in the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions, supplemented by the Racing Rules of Sailing and Appendix A (Scoring).
This guide explains common scoring systems, special statuses such as DNF and DNS, discard rules, tie-breaks, as well as postponement and race abandonment – for sailors and organizers.
Basics: Where Scoring and Abandonments Are Regulated
Scoring is structured in three levels:
- RRS Appendix A defines the standard scoring rules (Low Point System, Penalty Points, Redress).
- Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions specify the concrete system: number of scoring races, discards, medal race, deviations from Appendix A.
- Protest decisions and redress can subsequently change individual results – visible in the results service after the protest time limit expires.
Abandonments are primarily governed by RRS 32 (Cancelling, Postponing or Abandoning Races) and the SI chapters on signals. The flags and their meanings are described under AP, Postponement and Abandonment.
From Individual Races to Overall Standings
The Most Important Scoring Systems at a Glance
Low Point System (Appendix A4)
The Low Point System is the standard scoring in fleet racing worldwide – from club regattas to the Olympics. Principle: Fewer points = better. First place receives one point, second place two points, and so on.
Practical example: With 30 starters and 8th place, a boat receives 8 points; a DNF receives 31 points (30 + 1). That is why discards are crucial.
High Point System and Bonus Point
The High Point System (Appendix A8) is rarely used: More points = better. The Bonus Point System (Appendix A8.2) awards zero points to the winner – it rewards clear victories more strongly. In ORC, IRC, or PHRF regattas, corrected time determines placement; scoring usually follows Low Point based on the corrected order.
Low Point vs. High Point vs. Bonus Point
1st place = 1 point – common worldwide in fleet racing
1st place = n points – rare, more points = better
1st place = 0 points – rewards clear victories more strongly
Special Statuses: DNF, DNS, OCS and Other Abbreviations
Not every boat finishes every race. The status abbreviations determine how many points a boat receives. A detailed overview is provided in DNF, DNS, DSQ and OCS.
A DNF usually counts as last place plus one – often more costly than a mid-field finish. Before risky maneuvers on the final leg, check the current overall standings.
Discards, Scoring Races and Tie-Break
Discard Rules
Discards allow the worst races to be excluded from the overall standings. The number depends on the length of the regatta – typical under Appendix A9:
- 1 to 4 races sailed: no discard
- 5 to 8 races: 1 discard
- 9 to 12 races: 2 discards
- 13 to 16 races: 3 discards
NoR and SI may deviate – for example at short championships with exactly six races and one discard. The strategic use of discards is covered under Using Discard Rounds Strategically.
Tie-Break in Case of Equal Points
If two boats are tied on points after all scoring races and discards, Appendix A8 or the order defined in the SI applies:
- More first places in the scoring-relevant races
- More second places, then third places, and so on
- Last race – whoever placed better there
- Lot draw – rare, mostly only in medal systems
Details on tie-break and discard rules: Tie-Break and Discard Rules.
Discard Effect – Sample Calculation
Statistics: Sample regatta with 8 races, 1 discard: Boat A with results 2-3-15-2-1-3-2-4 = 17 points after discard (15 discarded). Boat B with 5-5-5-5-5-5-5-1 = 36 points – no discard helps with consistently weak races.
Medal Race and Special Scoring
At World Cup events and the Olympics, a Medal Race is often added – it counts double and can overturn the ranking. Details: Medal System and Scoring. NoR and SI must explicitly state participation requirements and abandonment rules for the medal race.
Abandonments: Postponement, Abandonment and Scoring Consequences
When Does the Race Committee Abandon?
RRS 32 gives the race committee the authority to postpone, abandon, or cancel races. Reasons are typically:
- Wind below the minimum limit defined in the SI
- Excessive wind, thunderstorms, lightning (safety)
- Fog, restricted visibility
- Current or shipping traffic that makes the course unnavigable
- Equipment or mark problems that cannot be fixed in time
Signaling – AP (Answering Pennant) for postponement, N and N over A for abandonment – is explained under AP, Postponement and Abandonment. Safety aspects are supplemented by Abandonment and Postponement.
Typical Abandonment Day
Scoring Consequences of Abandoned Races
What happens to the scoring depends on the stage of the race:
Important: Whether an abandoned race is scored is defined exclusively in the SI – not in the RRS alone. Sailors and organizers must read the SI chapters on scoring and abandonment before the event.
Minimum Races and Reserve Days
Every NoR should specify minimum number of races, reserve days, the latest possible start, and the procedure for an incomplete regatta. Without these details, conflicts arise when the minimum number is narrowly missed on the final day.
Scoring for Organizers: NoR and SI Checklist
Organizers should explicitly regulate the following points in NoR and SI:
- Name the scoring system (Low Point, High Point, Bonus Point, deviation from Appendix A)
- Number of planned races and minimum for overall standings
- Discard rule (standard Appendix A9 or deviation)
- Tie-break order in case of equal points
- Special scoring medal race (if applicable)
- Penalty system (scoring penalty, 720°, 360° – reference to SI)
- Procedure for abandonment before start and during the race
- Signaling for postponement and abandonment
- Reserve days and final start date
- Publication of results and protest time limit
Tip: Formulate scoring rules clearly and without contradictions to the NoR in SI chapter 4 (Scoring) and abandonment rules in SI chapter 3 (Signals). Amendments on race day must be communicated to all participants according to SI 2.
Scoring for Sailors: Practical Reading Tips
- Check results service daily – errors with DNF, OCS, or redress can be corrected while the protest time limit is running.
- Discard calculator in your head – before the last race, know which result will be discarded.
- Walk through abandonment scenarios – when weather threatens, know the SI rules on scoring.
- Protest and redress – details under Protest Procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does an abandoned race count?
Only if the SI provides for it; otherwise it will be repeated or cancelled.
Can I choose a discard?
No, automatically the worst result.
What is better: DNF or DSQ?
Scoring is often the same; DSQ can have Rule 69 consequences.
Are fewer races scored than planned?
Yes, if the minimum number is reached; otherwise see NoR.
Does Appendix A always apply?
Only if the SI does not deviate; NoR/SI take precedence for explicit deviations.
Related Topics
- Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions
- Regatta Notices
- DNF, DNS, DSQ and OCS
- Tie-Break and Discard Rules
- Medal System and Scoring
Last updated: July 4, 2026