So, the bigger your budget, the more regattas you get to attend. The number of entrants and races are determined by the number of boats owned by the host school. Most events are scheduled over two days, since you need wind to compete. The goal is to complete a full round robin, that is complete as many races as there are schools. There is a three-minute starting countdown, and all the boats have to be on the proper side of the starting line when the whistle blows.
Race courses are usually triangle shaped, to give sailors different kinds of conditions.
The divisions keep switching back and forth until each school has sailed in every boat thereby eliminating any chance that the boat and not the talent of the team will determine the outcome. Finally the scores from each division are added together and the team with the lowest combined score wins. Each day has a new theme which is emphasized through a variety of drills thrown in to keep practice exciting, spontaneous, challenging, and fun. A typical collegiate practice is rigorous. The coach will start out with a drill which help warm up boat handling skills and get the skipper and crew working together.