11. I learned in the largest circuit you could imagine, which is at Wellington International airport. There were 3 holding areas in the down wind leg where ATC could ask you to take up a hold (ie fly circles). This was not infrequent, as you had to fit in and around scheduled arrivals and departures. You could only turn crosswind above 1000' agl and could only turn downwind at 1500' agl. In a Tomahawk. So the number of circuits per hour could be "few"...
At least there was no excuse for not setting up final approach properly, since it was a hell of a long way.
Oh, and it is often pretty windy in Wellington - so ground speed on finals could be pretty slow...