How do Masters age handicaps work?

Q: How do Masters age handicaps work?

When a Masters event uses time handicaps, each crew's handicap in seconds is subtracted from its actual time, and the adjusted times decide the result (Rules of Rowing 4-104.1(d)(6)). The formula (based on a 1,000 m course): Handicap (seconds) = (crew average age − 27)² × Z Boat Z 8+ and 4x 0.020 2x and 4+/4- 0.0216 1x and 2- 0.025 Use the crew's average age, rounded down (59.8 becomes 59). The coxswain isn't counted. Age 27 and under gets no handicap, and the AA category (21-26) has no handicaps at all. For other distances, the handicap is scaled in proportion (for example, doubled for 2,000 m). Above 85, the published table adds a fixed amount for each extra year. Sample values from the official table (seconds, 1,000 m): Average age 8+ / 4x 2x / 4+ / 4- 1x / 2- 35 1.3 1.4 1.6 40 3.4 3.7 4.2 50 10.6 11.4 13.2 60 21.8 23.5 27.2 70 37.0 39.9 46.2 Example: a 1x sculler aged 50 who finishes 1,000 m in 4:30.0 has an adjusted time of 4:16.8.

Question

Accepted Answer

When a Masters event uses time handicaps, each crew's handicap in seconds is subtracted from its actual time, and the adjusted times decide the result (Rules of Rowing 4-104.1(d)(6)).

The formula (based on a 1,000 m course):

Handicap (seconds) = (crew average age − 27)² × Z

Boat	Z
8+ and 4x	0.020
2x and 4+/4-	0.0216
1x and 2-	0.025

Use the crew's average age, rounded down (59.8 becomes 59). The coxswain isn't counted.
Age 27 and under gets no handicap, and the AA category (21-26) has no handicaps at all.
For other distances, the handicap is scaled in proportion (for example, doubled for 2,000 m).
Above 85, the published table adds a fixed amount for each extra year.

Sample values from the official table (seconds, 1,000 m):

Average age	8+ / 4x	2x / 4+ / 4-	1x / 2-
35	1.3	1.4	1.6
40	3.4	3.7