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

 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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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.