gistfile1.txt

# Racing.org Platform - High-Level Requirements

## Project Objective

Build Racing.org as a free, comprehensive regatta management platform that introduces and promotes the OpenVPP rating system while providing modern, mobile-first regatta management tools that surpass existing commercial platforms in user experience and functionality.

---

## Core Business Requirements

### Market Positioning
- **Open Platform**: Free-to-use platform removing financial barriers for sailing organizations
- **OpenVPP Champion**: Primary platform for promoting and implementing the new OpenVPP rating system
- **Technology Leader**: Demonstrate superior user experience and real-time capabilities
- **Global Accessibility**: Serve sailing communities worldwide without geographic restrictions
- **Community Building**: Foster sailing community growth through accessible technology

### Platform Mission
- **Democratize Access**: Provide professional-grade regatta management tools to all sailing organizations
- **Advance Rating Systems**: Establish OpenVPP as the modern standard for yacht rating
- **Promote Sailing**: Lower barriers to regatta participation and organization
- **Data Transparency**: Open access to racing data and performance analytics
- **Innovation**: Drive sailing technology forward through modern platform capabilities

---

## Functional Requirements

### User Management & Authentication
- **Multi-role System**: Sailors, race organizers, administrators, spectators, rating officials
- **Organization Hierarchy**: Support yacht clubs, fleets, class associations, regional bodies
- **Profile Management**: Comprehensive sailor profiles with sailing history and OpenVPP ratings
- **Global Directory**: Searchable database of sailors and boats worldwide
- **Community Features**: User connections, messaging, and sailing network building

### Organization Management
- **Multi-tenant Architecture**: Each organization operates independently with branded experience
- **Open Registration**: Any sailing organization can create and manage their presence
- **Customization**: Organization-specific branding, terminology, and workflow preferences
- **Member Database**: Integrated membership management and community building tools
- **Communication Tools**: Organization-wide messaging and notification systems

### OpenVPP Rating System
- **Certificate Management**: Complete lifecycle management of OpenVPP certificates
- **Rating Calculation**: Integrated OpenVPP calculation engine with real-time processing
- **Boat Measurement**: Digital measurement form submission and validation
- **Rating Officials**: Workflow for rating officials to review and approve certificates
- **Rating History**: Complete historical record of rating changes and boat modifications

### Boat & Rating Management
- **Comprehensive Boat Profiles**: Technical specifications, photos, documentation, ownership history
- **OpenVPP Integration**: Native OpenVPP rating calculation and certificate generation
- **Measurement Database**: Digital measurement forms with validation and approval workflows
- **Boat Modifications**: Track boat changes and their impact on OpenVPP ratings
- **Performance Analytics**: Historical performance data to validate rating accuracy

### Event & Regatta Management
- **Event Lifecycle**: Draft creation through completion with workflow management
- **Event Types**: One-design, OpenVPP handicap, mixed fleet, match racing, team racing, pursuit racing
- **Complex Scheduling**: Multi-day events, multiple divisions, flexible race scheduling
- **Document Management**: Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, amendments, course charts
- **Entry Management**: Registration periods, entry limits, waiting lists, conditional acceptance

### Registration System
- **Free Registration**: No-cost registration for all participants
- **Public Registration**: Branded registration pages with organization customization
- **Registration Workflow**: Guided multi-step process with validation and confirmation
- **OpenVPP Validation**: Automatic verification of current OpenVPP certificates
- **Group Registration**: Sailing schools, junior programs, team entries
- **Modification System**: Registration changes, transfers, cancellations

### Scoring & Results System
- **Live Scoring**: Real-time score entry with immediate publication of results
- **OpenVPP Scoring**: Native OpenVPP time-on-time calculations with real-time processing
- **Multiple Systems**: Support for one-design, pursuit, and other scoring methods
- **Series Management**: Multi-race series with throwouts, tie-breaking, overall standings
- **Performance Tracking**: Detailed performance analytics for OpenVPP rating validation

### Mobile Race Management
- **Race Day Interface**: Touch-optimized interface for race committee operations
- **Finish Recording**: Quick finish order entry with timestamp capture
- **OpenVPP Calculations**: Real-time corrected time calculations using OpenVPP ratings
- **Offline Capability**: Continue operations without internet with automatic sync
- **Collaborative Scoring**: Multiple race committee members working simultaneously

### Results & Communication
- **Public Results**: Live updating results pages accessible to competitors and spectators
- **Multi-format Export**: PDF, CSV, Excel export for various reporting needs
- **Social Integration**: Automatic posting to social media with customizable content
- **Notification System**: Email, SMS, push notifications for race updates and results
- **Historical Archive**: Searchable database of past results and competitor performance

### OpenVPP Certificate System
- **Digital Certificates**: Complete digital OpenVPP certificate generation and management
- **Measurement Submission**: Online measurement form submission with photo documentation
- **Official Review**: Workflow for rating officials to validate measurements and approve certificates
- **Certificate Updates**: Management of boat modifications and rating recalculations
- **Public Registry**: Searchable public database of valid OpenVPP certificates

### Document & Media Management
- **Document Library**: Centralized storage for all regatta-related documents
- **Version Control**: Track document changes with approval workflows
- **Media Gallery**: Photo and video uploads with automatic organization
- **Public Access**: Open access to results, documents, and racing data
- **Mobile Upload**: Easy photo/video upload from mobile devices during events

---

## User Experience Requirements

### Design Principles
- **Mobile-First**: All functionality must be fully accessible and optimized for mobile devices
- **Real-time Updates**: Information updates immediately across all connected users
- **Intuitive Navigation**: Clear, logical workflows that minimize training requirements
- **Accessibility**: Full compliance with WCAG guidelines for inclusive design
- **Performance**: Sub-second response times for all user interactions

### User Workflows
- **Registration Flow**: Streamlined process from event discovery to registration confirmation
- **Certificate Process**: Simple OpenVPP certificate application and approval workflow
- **Race Day Operations**: Efficient workflows for race committee with minimal clicks
- **Results Viewing**: Instant access to current standings with clear presentation
- **Administration**: Comprehensive tools organized by user role and frequency of use

### Responsive Design
- **Mobile Optimization**: Touch-friendly interfaces with appropriate sizing for marine environments
- **Tablet Support**: Enhanced interface for race committee operations on larger screens
- **Desktop Power**: Full administrative capabilities with efficient multi-window workflows
- **Cross-platform**: Consistent experience across iOS, Android, and desktop browsers
- **Offline Functionality**: Critical features continue to work without internet connectivity

---

## Integration Requirements

### External System Integration
- **Email Services**: Reliable bulk email delivery with tracking and analytics
- **Calendar Systems**: Integration with Google Calendar, Outlook, and organization calendars
- **Social Media**: Automated posting capabilities for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
- **Weather Services**: Integration with marine weather data for race planning
- **Mapping Services**: Integration with chart and GPS systems for course planning

### Data Import/Export
- **Migration Tools**: Import existing data from commercial regatta platforms
- **Bulk Operations**: CSV import/export for boats, members, and results
- **API Access**: RESTful APIs for third-party integrations and custom applications
- **Open Data**: Public APIs for accessing racing results and OpenVPP data
- **Backup Systems**: Automated data backup with easy restoration capabilities

---

## Business Logic Requirements

### OpenVPP Engine
- **Rating Calculations**: Complete OpenVPP algorithm implementation with real-time processing
- **Measurement Validation**: Automated validation of boat measurements against OpenVPP requirements
- **Performance Analysis**: Statistical analysis of race results to validate rating accuracy
- **Rating Adjustments**: Automatic rating updates based on performance data
- **Certificate Lifecycle**: Complete management of certificate validity and renewals

### Scoring Engine
- **Rule Compliance**: Full compliance with World Sailing Racing Rules for scoring
- **OpenVPP Integration**: Native support for OpenVPP time-on-time calculations
- **Protest Handling**: Workflow for protest submission, hearing, and resolution integration
- **Redress Management**: Score adjustments with audit trails and explanations
- **Custom Scoring**: Configurable point systems for special event formats

### Communication Engine
- **Automated Messaging**: Event-triggered emails and notifications with customizable templates
- **Bulk Communications**: Efficient delivery to large competitor lists with tracking
- **Multi-language**: Support for international events with localized communications
- **Delivery Tracking**: Confirmation of email delivery and engagement metrics
- **Community Building**: Tools for sailors to connect and build sailing networks

---

## Performance & Scalability Requirements

### System Performance
- **Response Times**: Sub-second response for all user interactions
- **Concurrent Users**: Support for thousands of simultaneous users during major events
- **Real-time Updates**: Immediate propagation of changes to all connected clients
- **Mobile Performance**: Optimized performance on mobile devices with limited bandwidth
- **Global Access**: Fast loading times regardless of geographic location

### Data Management
- **Event Scale**: Support events from local club races to international championships
- **Historical Data**: Efficient storage and retrieval of years of regatta history
- **Search Capability**: Fast, comprehensive search across all platform data
- **Analytics Processing**: Real-time calculation of complex statistics and trends
- **Open Data Access**: Public APIs for accessing racing and rating data

### Security & Compliance
- **Data Protection**: Full GDPR compliance with privacy controls and data portability
- **Access Control**: Secure authentication with role-based permissions
- **Audit Trails**: Comprehensive logging of all system changes and access
- **International Compliance**: Support for data residency and regulatory requirements
- **Certificate Security**: Secure handling of official OpenVPP certificates and measurements

---

## OpenVPP Integration Requirements

### Rating System Features
- **Certificate Generation**: Automated OpenVPP certificate creation and management
- **Measurement Processing**: Digital measurement form handling with validation
- **Performance Tracking**: Continuous monitoring of boat performance vs. predicted rating
- **Rating Validation**: Statistical analysis to ensure rating accuracy
- **Public Database**: Searchable registry of all valid OpenVPP certificates

### Rating Official Tools
- **Review Dashboard**: Tools for rating officials to review and approve certificates
- **Measurement Validation**: Automated checks for measurement consistency and accuracy
- **Performance Analysis**: Tools to analyze racing results for rating validation
- **Certificate Management**: Administrative tools for managing the OpenVPP certificate database
- **Quality Control**: Systems to ensure measurement and rating accuracy

### Community Features
- **OpenVPP Education**: Resources and tutorials for understanding and using OpenVPP
- **Discussion Forums**: Community spaces for discussing OpenVPP and racing
- **Performance Sharing**: Tools for sharing performance data and analysis
- **Rating Feedback**: System for sailors to provide feedback on rating accuracy
- **Development Participation**: Ways for community to contribute to OpenVPP development

---

## Success Metrics & KPIs

### Platform Adoption
- **User Registration**: Number of sailors and organizations joining Racing.org
- **Event Volume**: Number of regattas managed through the platform
- **Global Reach**: Geographic distribution of platform usage
- **Feature Utilization**: Adoption rates of key platform features
- **Community Engagement**: Level of user interaction and community building

### OpenVPP Adoption
- **Certificate Issuance**: Number of OpenVPP certificates generated
- **Racing Usage**: Number of regattas using OpenVPP for scoring
- **Geographic Spread**: International adoption of OpenVPP rating system
- **Performance Validation**: Accuracy of OpenVPP ratings based on race results
- **Community Feedback**: Sailor and organizer satisfaction with OpenVPP

### Technical Performance
- **Platform Reliability**: Uptime and performance metrics during peak usage
- **User Experience**: Response times and user satisfaction ratings
- **Mobile Usage**: Percentage of users accessing via mobile devices
- **Real-time Performance**: Speed and accuracy of live scoring and results
- **Data Quality**: Accuracy and completeness of racing and rating data

This specification establishes Racing.org as the definitive platform for modern regatta management while simultaneously introducing and promoting the OpenVPP rating system as the next generation standard for yacht racing handicapping.