A question has come up in our local sailing club about the correct, or
at least preferable definition of "the number of boats entered in the
series" wording in Appendix A9 of the RRS.

A typical series consists of 5 or 6 race days spread over a couple of
months. Clearly this falls within the meaning of a series longer than a
regatta. We allow registration to continue right through the series,
although the requirement for trophies demands a certain number of races
are actually sailed. There are several fleets of PHRF boats involved,
and all fleets are scored completely separately. The standard low point
scoring method in Appendix A is used. There are exclusions allowed,
based on the number of races that are conducted.

The question is what score should be given to boats that do not compete
in the earlier races, when the total registration may not yet be complete?

For example, suppose a fleet starts with 10 boats registered, and all 10
boats show up for the first race day. Only 9 boats show up for the
second race day. Now we add two new registrants before the third race
day. For simplification we will just keep that number through the end of
the series.

What is the proper score for the boat that missed the second race? Is it
11 points or 13 points? Does a boat that missed the 4th race get 13
points while the boat that missed the second race gets 11 points? Should
both boats be scored at 13 points?

I have searched various places, and I have found various clubs have
different interpretations. Most, however, appear to say nothing in the
SI's. I have not been able to find anything in US Sailing or ISAF
documents that discusses the topic at all.

I suspect the bottom line is that we simply need to state a reasonable
rule and stick to it. However, I would like to determine if there is
some common standard that I have missed.

Regards,
Gene Fuller