Is Dual-Scoring worth the risk?

The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) Rating Rule is a handicap system for sailboat racing in the Caribbean. It is administered locally, regularly adjusted for the conditions in the Caribbean region, and is generally considered to do a good job.

But for international boats seeking to compete, it is another rule to apply for. To reduce this hurdle in 2026, dual-scoring with both CSA and IRC handicap systems will be used across major regattas in the region. Is this the first step toward abolishing CSA, and aligning the Caribbean with the IRC rule governed by the UK and French?

Aside from simplifying entry for boats that typically use IRC, dual-scoring has two less great consequences. It creates more divisions, which require more trophies. It also highlights how a boat may be viewed more favorably by one rule over another. Rather than encouraging harmony, dual-scoring assures the opposite. For more details, click here.