I agree that time ranking is a bit "arcadish" and probably not suitable for most challenges, except for motorboat races of course. Time should be like a reference or a goal but not the only one.
Aspects related with safety, sailing rules, smoothness of the manouvers and stability of ships (since they are carrying people and stuff), company schedules and even the mechanical integrity of the ships, whould make scores a lot more interesting (I know, I know
: that must mean a real lot of work for guys at vstep, but it would be really great I think).
Well, for now I'll just try to keep up with the top times and race you guys
.