> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.estela.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.estela.co/tracking-races-with-estela/pursuit-races.md).

# Pursuit Races

A Pursuit race uses a different start procedure than a standard eStela session: instead of the whole fleet starting together, each boat gets its own individual start time, staggered so that — in theory — all boats finish together if they sail to their rating. It's a common format for mixed-fleet club racing.

### Default vs. Pursuit

* **Default**: all boats start within the same start window, and ranking is based on elapsed or corrected time from that single start.
* **Pursuit**: each boat has its own start time. Boats can cross the start line at different moments throughout the start sequence, and ranking is simply by finish order — the first boat to finish wins, regardless of elapsed time.

### Setting Up a Pursuit Race

When creating a tracking session, choose `Pursuit` as the Start procedure instead of `Default`. You'll then need to provide an individual start time for every boat in the fleet, using a CSV template similar to the one used for Bulk Importing Boats:

1. Download the pursuit start times CSV template
2. Fill in the start time for each boat
3. Upload the completed CSV to the session

All other session setup steps — course, marks, termination area — work the same way as in a standard session. See Setting up a Race Course and Starting and Stopping Tracking Sessions.

Handicap rating is independent of the start procedure and can technically be combined with Pursuit, though it's most commonly used with Default races — see Rating and Handicap Racing.

### Ranking and Post-Race Analysis

Because ranking in a Pursuit race is based on finish order rather than compensated time, results are read directly off the finish sequence. The Time Table and other Post-Race Analysis tools continue to record mark crossings and performance metrics per boat as usual.