SEILmagasinet · video

What this video covers

Marius Løken explains weather routing as a handicapping method used in racing to equalize competition by accounting for forecast wind differences across the course.0:21 The system attempts to score boats based on the predicted weather each vessel sails through, spreading the fleet so each boat benefits from its conditions.0:21 Løken notes the method's intention is sound but its execution relies on weather model assumptions that can produce large, unpredictable scoring swings — particularly in fjord racing, where forecast uncertainty is high.0:21 He compares weather routing to the older APH (time-on-time) system: for his own boat the difference amounts to 6 percent, while on some other boats it reaches 18 percent, even between vessels with similar performance profiles.1:23 That spread, he argues, stems from the assumed weather conditions baked into the scoring model rather than actual sailing performance.1:24 Løken suggests the system may need refinement for fjord events and floats the idea of letting sailors choose their own route around a fixed mark — such as Rømbland — as a fairer alternative that reduces model-dependency.2:43

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