the Top Mark Ranking System for U.S. ILCA7 Sailors

In recent years, the U.S. ILCA7 fleet has grown in both talent and ambition but one thing has been missing: a reliable, transparent system to track and showcase our sailors’ progress on the national and international stage. That’s why we’re excited to launch the Top Mark Ranking System, a new platform designed to recognize performance, incentivize participation, and help chart the path from youth sailing to the Olympic level.

What Is the Top Mark Ranking System?

The Top Mark Ranking System is a comprehensive, points-based system created specifically for American ILCA7 sailors. Inspired by World Sailing’s proven fleet and match racing models, it rewards both domestic performance and international results. Whether you’re a college sailor looking to stay active during breaks, or a full-time campaigner working toward the Olympics, this ranking system gives your results meaning beyond a single regatta.

Why This Matters?

Sailing is one of the few sports where domestic competition can feel disconnected from the global stage. By integrating both U.S.-based and international regattas into one ranking, the Top Mark system bridges that gap, encouraging sailors to show up, race hard, and build a complete performance profile over the course of a season.

It’s also about community. A public, standardized ranking can help promote accountability, transparency, and motivation across the U.S. fleet. Young sailors can see where they stand. Coaches and clubs can track progress. And sponsors or selectors can get a clear, data-driven snapshot of competitive standing.

How It Works

Each sailor earns points from their best four ranked events within a 12-month window. Scores combine Domestic Fleet Points and International Fleet Points, then get multiplied by an Event Grade Multiplier to reflect the strength of each regatta.

RANKING Formula:

Total Score = (Domestic Points + International Points) × Event Grade Multiplier

Here’s a quick breakdown of each element:

• Domestic       Points:
  Based on how you place compared to other American sailors (e.g., 1st = 100 pts, 2nd = 90 pts…)
  
• International Points:
  Based on how you place compared to other American sailors (e.g., 1st = 100 pts, 2nd = 90 pts…)
  
• Event                 
  Grades:
  Events are reviewed annually and assigned a multiplier: 
  
  Grade 1: World-level events (×1.5)
  Grade 2: U21 international events (×1.25)
  Grade 3: Regional international (×1.0)
  Grade 4: U.S. national-level events (×1.0)
  

Ranked Events for 2025

• ILCA North Americans – Grade 3
• U.S. ILCA Nationals – Grade 4
• Long Beach OCR – Grade 1
• ILCA Senior Europeans – Grade 1
• ILCA U21 Worlds – Grade 2
• Vilamoura Grand Prix (Round 1) – Grade 1
• (Tentative) Orange Bowl Open Regatta – Grade 4

These events were selected to provide a balance of accessibility, competition level, and seasonal timing, perfect for youth, college, and senior sailors alike.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, the Top Mark Ranking System isn’t just about numbers—it’s about building a stronger, more connected U.S. ILCA7 fleet. It’s a tool to:

• Keep college sailors active during breaks
• Provide continuity post-high school
• Motivate Olympic hopefuls to stay sharp and consistent
• Create a clear, transparent selection framework for coaches, clubs, and programs

This is just the beginning. As we roll out the first full season of rankings, we’ll be collecting feedback, refining the system, and building tools to display and analyze results.

What’s Next?

Rankings will be updated regularly and made available publicly through our digital platforms. We’re also working on a Google Sheets-based scoring calculator and an online leaderboard to make tracking as simple and accessible as possible.