This is the most important part of running an event.

Stage 1 is a series of round robins.

Stage 2 (optional) is a final between the top two teams from Stage 1.

The teams have often travelled a long way and are here to sail. So after more than 10 years the standard format is a series of round robins, the last often not completed followed by a final. (No semi final)

If all the teams have had a lot of sailing over the event and the final warning signal is quite late then maybe a first to 2 win final. If not then a one race final. In some cases where weather conditions have prevented a lot of sailing then using Stage 1 results is perfectly acceptable.

The aim is to give all teams a lot of sailing, not just the top two.