Scoring systems for Sailing at the Summer Olympics

Over time, several scoring systems for Sailing were used during the Summer Olympics. Many of these systems were also used by other regatta's in their times. In order to understand how the medals in the Olympics were handed out one must have a look at the scoring system of that specific olympic sailing regatta.
From the start of sailing till the turn of the millennium one practiced the principle that the difference in points between No. 1 and 2 must be larger than between No. 2 and 3 and so on. Several systems in different variations were invented. For the last couple of Olympics this principle was no longer followed.
1900 Olympic scoring system.
In 1900 for the different races different systems were used:
Olympic races at Meulan.
In the following classes only one race was sailed for each gold medal.
In these races each boat was given, in advance, a handicap of several minutes and seconds. For each boat, the sailing time over the course was measured. This sailed time plus the handicap gave the corrected time. The boat with the lowest corrected time became winner.
Olympic races at Le Havre.
Since in the 10 – 20 Ton a series of three races was sailed, a scoring system beside the handicap system was used. Per race one could earn points as follows:
A disqualification of penalty gives the points of the last place minus 1. Therefore, In the Olympics with six boats competing this gives 4 points.
<br> All races counted and the scoring system was used after the corrected time was calculated.
Open class at Meulan.
For the Open class NO handicap or scoring system was used. The order in which the boats crossed the finishing line was the result of the regatta. This with the exception of the boats that were disqualified.
In case of a tie.
There are no known provisions for breaking a tie in the 1900 sailing regattas at the Olympic Games.
1908 Olympic scoring system.
Three races would be scheduled in each class.
The winner is the yacht with the most 1st places
In case of a tie.
In the event of three different yachts winning these Races, points will be allotted to them according to the following scale:
The tie is broken in favor of the yacht with the most points. Should two or more winners in any class tie under these conditions, they shall sail an extra match, on a day to be appointed, and the winner of this match shall be adjudged the absolute winner of the series. <br>
Any tie for second place will be decided in the same manner.
1912 Olympic scoring system.
In each class there will be 2 ordinary races, with the following method of scoring:
In case of a tie.
Should two or more yachts in any class tie under these conditions for one of the first 3 places overall, the yachts involved shall sail an extra race. The winner breaks the tie in its favor.
1920 Olympic scoring system.
For the Games in Belgium a so-called "Point for Place" system was used:
In case of a tie.
Should two or more yachts in any class tie under these conditions a "sail-off" would determine the final result.
1924 Olympic scoring system.
For the 1924 Games in France system of elimination series and semi finals was used.
French National Monotype 1924.
In this class a total of 17 competitors participated. The France Olympic Committee had made available a total of 8 mostly identical boats. So here the fleet was divided in two flights of eight. In each elimination series one country was exempt and was automatically qualified for the semi final. Per flight the best two boats earned a place in the semi final. Finally a sail off was held for the places 2–4.
6 & 8 Metre.
In this class three elimination series were scheduled. The two best of each flight got a place in the semi final. Eventually ties were broken by the result of the final race. The result of the other boats, up to place 6, was determined by the total result of the elimination series by the point for place system.
1932 Olympic scoring system.
The winner in each class of the Yachting competition was decided on the following point system:
In case of a tie.
In case of a tie after all races were sailed, provision was made for an extra race between the competitors tied.
1936 Olympic scoring system.
Equal as 1932.
In case of a tie.
In case of a tie after all races were sailed, provision was made for an extra race between the competitors tied. This rule only applies as it concerns the places 1, 2 or 3.
1940 Olympic scoring system.
For the 1940 Olympics the following scoring system was intended:
In case of a tie.
In case of a tie the helmsman with the most first places wins the serie. If this does not break the tie the helmsman with the most second places wins the serie and so on. If the tie is still not broken the series goes to the helmsmen with the best result in the last race.
1948 Olympic scoring system.
Until the 1932 Olympics many scoring systems were used. Most of them put a lot of weight at winning of races. This changes in Los Angeles where a point for place system was used. Still the need for awarding the winning of races remained.
In Austria a point system was developed were the delta between two sequential places was decreased with the rank. In other words: a lot of points between 1 and 2 and less difference between 24 and 25. The system was based upon a formula taking the number of entries and the rank of into account. Not finishing, retiring after the finish, disqualification or not starting gave 0 points. The formula looked like this:
N = Rank and A = Number of entries.
This formula is in the table below exercised for 1 to 25 entries.
This system was used for the 1948 Olympics. Seven races were scheduled, of the seven races, a yacht counted only the points for her best six races.
In case of a tie.
Ties were broken as follows:
1952 Olympic scoring system.
The Austrian scoring system of 1948 was used. Below you find the relevant tables:
1956 Olympic scoring system.
The Austrian scoring system of 1948 was used. Below you find the relevant tables:
1960 Olympic scoring system.
The Austrian scoring system of 1948 was used. With the exception that a yacht that did not finish now gets 101 points. Below you find the relevant tables:
1964 Olympic scoring system.
The Austrian scoring system of 1964 was used. Below you find the relevant tables:
1968 Olympic scoring system.
For each class a series should consist of seven scheduled races. For each yacht the best six races will count. If only six races are sailed the best five race will count. If only five races are sailed all five will count.
In case of a tie.
In case of a tie the yacht with the most first places, over the 6 counting races for each yacht, wins the series. If this does not break the tie the helmsman with the most second places wins the series and so on. If the tie is still not broken then the tie remains.
1972 Olympic scoring system.
The 1968 Olympic scoring system was used. With the exception that DSQ scored now: Place = No. of entered boats + 1
1984 Olympic scoring system.
The 1968 Olympic scoring system was used. With the exception that DSQ scored now: Place = No. of entered boats + 1
Also:
RET = Place = No. of entered boats + 1
YMP = Points by decision of the jury (most used = average score)