The “Ouse Yardstick” (OY) Handicap tool🧐

[Tim]

Dear All

Please see below the link to the new handicap tool agreed by the Three Harbours rowing Group to be utilised for mixed class, fixed seat rowing events in local waters.

The tool, which will be utilised for the following events in 2024 is based upon historical data from these and indeed the past few years Great River Race results.

Tudor Pull,
Round Hayling and
Cockershell Challenge,

During the dark months of winter, a small group of exceedingly clever professional types and some less clever “pull harder” rowing types met under the overall supervision of the Three Harbours Group, to devise a fair and transparent handicap system that would provide a level playing field for racing fixed seat boats of different classes.

The original Ouse Yardstick had already been tried and tested in the annual Head of the Ouse event and the author of that was seconded into the group which also benefitted from academic links to Portsmouth University through a rowing professor, member of Tudor.

The key to the handicap system is that it is capable of annual review which would consider a range of results during a season and agree any changes necessary for the following year.

https://ouseyardstick.univer.se/

Those of you of an inquisitive mind or indeed competitive nature will, having reached this stage, no doubt have noticed that the Solent Galley as a class has a keen handicap for 2024! This was discussed at some length by the research group and indeed the Three Harbours Group as a whole but when the data for the past five years across all the above events was revisited it was found to be a true reflection of the Galleys performance.

I for one am very keen to race in Galleys this year and will be speaking to the rowing captain about this😎

Kind regards

Tim

[Pete Reed]

I was rowing with Tudor last night and they think the galley handicap might not be accurate.
They asked if they could borrow one to test.
Pete

[Tim]

Hi Pete

The Galley handicap was discussed at some length and agreed during the preparation for and at the actual presentation of the proposal which was supported by the Three Harbours Group.

The bottom line is that the results of Galleys and all the other types of boat when raced both locally in the Round Hayling, Cockershell Challenge, Tudor Pull and at the GRR over the past several years were used in reaching this position.

It may well be that at the end of this year results will lead to a change in the 2025 season handicap.

There was also a suggestion (and no more than that) that as an end of season event the fastest crew in each class of vessel should race each other.

Kind regards

Tim

[Rich Beard]

Thanks Tim. Interesting read

[Matt O’Neill]

Thanks for this Tim, was really interesting to read and start to get and understanding of how it’s all worked out.
….please inform the rowing captain that I’d also love some Galley rowing this year please!! 🤣
Matt