1.Multiply competitor's actual time by the factor below to obtain handicap time.

2. Rank the handicap time and award World Cup points as follows:

3. Rationale for age differentials

In 2000, SRNZ introduced a "handicapping" system for what is now called its Points-Series Championships for Men and for Women.

The system used a series of age differentials - commencing at age 30 - that took account of the obvious fact that, on average, a competitor's performance declines with age at an increasing rate.

Essentially, the formulae work like this:

FOR MALE COMPETITORS:

A 30 year old competitor's actual time is rated as 100% for handicapping purposes.
For each year's increase in age from 30 to 40, the actual time is reduced by .003.
For each year's increase in age from 40 to 50, the actual time is reduced by .004.
For each year's increase in age from 50 to 65, the actual time is reduced by .005.
For each year's increase in age from 65 to 75, the actual time is reduced by .006.
For each year's increase in age from 75 to 85, the actual time is reduced by .007.
For each year's increase in age after 85, the actual time is reduced by .008.

FOR FEMALE COMPETITORS:

The age differentials are the same as for the men up to the age of 60. But since experience shows that a female's actual performance tends to decline more rapidly thereafter, the age differentials by year are somewhat greater than those for men.

They are:

For each year's increase in age after 60, the actual time is reduced by .006.
For each year's increase in age from 70, the actual time is reduced by .007.
For each year's increase in age after 80, the actual time is reduced by .008.