Here is a more complex program to download called EORS.BAS (about 68kb) to score a regatta that has heats and seeding races. It won't do the promotion and relegation for you -- it just scores the outcome. It is written in QBasic, and you'll need QBASIC.EXE. I've found out that QBASIC is in fact included with Win95 and Win98 on the CD-ROM; it just isn't loaded when you install either operating system. Go to "Other\Oldmsdos" and copy QBASIC.EXE and QBASIC.HLP into a convenient directory. Then fire up QBASIC and you're off... QBasic will run in a DOS window on any Windows system, and of course will be very happy on any of your old DOS systems. I have NOT yet used the program in anger since our club regattas run with just one fleet. But, as usual, you know the story: no guarantees. If you use it and find any bugs, let me know; I'll fix them quickly.

There is also a test data file for input (1kb). Look at it with a text editor to see how to construct the real thing. If you plan to use the program, check it out first on some previous regatta whose results you've already worked out.

Note that HMS 2002 has changed certain of the scoring conventions.  In particular, a DSQ boat is not placed at the end of the whole race, but only at the end of its heat.  The program will need to be adjusted to reflect this.

This is the text from the program header.

The program processes the results of a single event, comprising a set of seeding races (if any) followed by the races divided into their heats. The list of yachts in their finishing order in each heat or seeding race are entered into a data file separately (using a text editor), and the program then works on that prepared file. In this version, DNC or DNS yachts must be explicitly listed; if a yacht is omitted from the heat results list, it'll get a DNC in the lowest heat. Redress (RDG) can be given. Finishing line ties (TIE) are allowed. Penalties for DSQ, DND, and OCS are applied. Non-finishing codes of OOT/DNF, and RET/RAF are applied.

The low points scoring system is used. Simple score ties are resolved automatically, more complex ties are resolved manually (that's you). The number of discards can be set, with a suggestion as per MYA HMS. Averages and medians ignore seeding race results, and are calculated after discards. The program outputs the results to screen as well as to an output data file.

RESTRICTIONS: The program does not itself perform any promotions or relegations. It assumes that the heat results presented to it have already had all necessary promotions correctly placed in their latest heats. Jib numbers must be purely numeric; "X21" or "21X" can't be used.

NOTES: The results are processed heat by heat and the finishing positions in the whole race built up. The seeding races are treated internally as heats, with the position counter being reset back to 1 as each seeding race is processed.

SCORING: As per UK MYA HMS. In particular, yachts in lower heats score starting from the last finishing place of the higher heat. DNF etc yachts in the higher heat are IGNORED when calculating the scores for yachts in lower heats. DNF etc in a seeding race score "number in largest seeding race +1".

*.DAT file format: The results of each seeding race, or the results of each heat, one race/heat on one line, "A" fleet first, then "B", etc. Each group of race heats/seeding races is preceeded by an identification sequence "Tn" on its own line: T = Type of race -- S=seeding, R=race heat, and n = Number of heats/seeding races in the following group. Each results line is then the list of jib numbers starting at 1st place for that heat or seeding race. Promoted yachts are listed only in their highest heat. Jib numbers are separated by blank spaces, no commas. A code can be placed immediately after the jib number (no space) to indicate some penalty, such as disqualification (code=DSQ). The redress code (RDG) may be followed by a number, again no spaces, which is the number of redress points given.

Some further notes: (a) The program ideally should be run or launched from the directory that holds the results data file. This is because of the clunky DOS interface. (b) The program can be used as a regatta progresses to give results after each race: just run it again on the latest data file that has the latest race results added to it. If you plan to do this, it would be a good idea to build up a set of *.DAT files, one for each completed race. (c) I use my palmtop PC at the pond, a Hewlett-Packard 200LX. Brilliant. (d) Test the program on a previously scored regatta before going live...!

2005-12-18

©2024 Lester Gilbert