H1 Unlimited to debut new race format In Madison
H1 Unlimited introduces a New Race Format debuting in Madison
H1 Unlimited will introduce a new race format at the Madison Regatta, marking an important evolution in how race weekends are structured and decided. The objective behind this change is simple: make every session count, reward consistency, and create a clearer path from Time Trials to the Final.
Rather than relying on draw-based positioning, the new format connects qualifying, preliminary heats, and the Final through one cumulative scoring system: Total Weekend Points.
Every Session Counts. Every Point Matters
Under the new structure, every boat accumulates points beginning in Time Trials and continuing through the preliminary heats.
These are combined to form Total Weekend Points, which determine:
- Heat section placement
- Lane selection order
- Advancement into the Final
Time Trials now do more than set speed bragging rights and points. They help shape the entire weekend.
Time Trial Points Structure
Place | Points
1st | 200
2nd | 180
3rd | 160
4th | 140
5th | 120
6th | 100
7th | 95
8th | 90
9th | 85
10th & beyond | -5 from above
1st | 200
2nd | 180
3rd | 160
4th | 140
5th | 120
6th | 100
7th | 95
8th | 90
9th | 85
10th & beyond | -5 from above
A more balanced Heat Structure
Preliminary heats are organized using an inverted odd/even system designed to distribute competition evenly. In the opening round only, lane choice is determined by Time Trial ranking.
For an eight-boat field:
Heat 1A: 7-5-3-1
Lane CHOICE Order | Determined By
1st | 7th TT Order
2nd | 5th TT Order
3rd | 3rd TT Order
4th | 1st TT Order
1st | 7th TT Order
2nd | 5th TT Order
3rd | 3rd TT Order
4th | 1st TT Order
Heat 1B: 8-6-4-2
Lane CHOICE Order | Determined By
1st | 8th TT Order
2nd | 6th TT Order
3rd | 4th TT Order
4th | 2nd TT Order
1st | 8th TT Order
2nd | 6th TT Order
3rd | 4th TT Order
4th | 2nd TT Order
This prevents stacking the fastest boats in a single early heat and maintains competitive balance across sections.
Rounds 2 and 3: Lane CHOICE based on weekend standings
Beginning in Round 2, lane choice shifts entirely to Total Weekend Points.
Heat 2A: 7-5-3-1
Lane Choice Order | Determined By
1st | 7th Weekend Points
2nd | 5th Weekend Points
3rd | 3rd Weekend Points
4th | 1st Weekend Points
1st | 7th Weekend Points
2nd | 5th Weekend Points
3rd | 3rd Weekend Points
4th | 1st Weekend Points
Heat 2B: 8-6-4-2
Lane Choice Order | Determined By
1st | 8th Weekend Points
2nd | 6th Weekend Points
3rd | 4th Weekend Points
4th | 2nd Weekend Points
1st | 8th Weekend Points
2nd | 6th Weekend Points
3rd | 4th Weekend Points
4th | 2nd Weekend Points
The schedule below is an example of an eight-boat field (TT=Time Trial)
“A” HEATS:
Lane Choice | 1A | 2A | 3A
1st | 7th TT Order | 7th Weekend Points | 7th Weekend Points
2nd | 5th TT Order | 5th Weekend Points | 5th Weekend Points
3rd | 3rd TT Order | 3rd Weekend Points | 3rd Weekend Points
4th | 1st TT Order | 1st Weekend Points | 1st Weekend Points
1st | 7th TT Order | 7th Weekend Points | 7th Weekend Points
2nd | 5th TT Order | 5th Weekend Points | 5th Weekend Points
3rd | 3rd TT Order | 3rd Weekend Points | 3rd Weekend Points
4th | 1st TT Order | 1st Weekend Points | 1st Weekend Points
“B” HEATS:
Lane Choice | 1B | 2B | 3B
1st | 8th TT Order | 8th Weekend Points | 8th Weekend Points
2nd | 6th TT Order | 6th Weekend Points | 6th Weekend Points
3rd | 4th TT Order | 4th Weekend Points | 4th Weekend Points
4th | 2nd TT Order | 2nd Weekend Points | 2nd Weekend Points
1st | 8th TT Order | 8th Weekend Points | 8th Weekend Points
2nd | 6th TT Order | 6th Weekend Points | 6th Weekend Points
3rd | 4th TT Order | 4th Weekend Points | 4th Weekend Points
4th | 2nd TT Order | 2nd Weekend Points | 2nd Weekend Points
The Final Heat format : Points earned through the weekend
The Final will consist of the boats accumulating the highest Total Weekend Points from Time Trials and preliminary heats.
Lane choice in the Final is determined by Total Weekend Points:
- Highest accumulated points selects first
- Second highest selects second
- Third highest selects third, etc…
Lane Choice Order | Determined By
1st | 1st Weekend Points
2nd | 2nd Weekend Points
3rd | 3rd Weekend Points
4th | 4th Weekend Points
and so on
1st | 1st Weekend Points
2nd | 2nd Weekend Points
3rd | 3rd Weekend Points
4th | 4th Weekend Points
and so on
Additionally: The boat with the most weekend points may select Lane 1 once and Lane 2 once per season in a Final Heat.
Looking Ahead to 2026
H1 Unlimited looks forward to seeing this new race format in action at Madison and throughout the 2026 season. The structure reflects the league’s ongoing commitment to competitive integrity and clarity on the water. We are confident it will create an exciting and fair progression for teams, and we look forward to fans experiencing the weekend as it unfolds under this new format.
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