IRC YEARBOOK 2010
n
2.10 Protest limits If there is to be pro-active policing by the Race Committee, do any
O
IRC Rules 9 and 10 address rating reviews and protests. Linked to these, checks in public so that the fleet can see what is being done! It is obviously
t
Rule 11.1 permits a Race Committee to amend Rule 9.6. A suitable generally both impractical and undesirable to fully re-measure boats.
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instruction would be. However, some simple checks can increase individual competitors’ confi-
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Notice of Race: dence that the rest of the fleet is correctly rated and reduce ‘bar talk’.
x.0 IRC Rule 9.6 is amended to the extent that 0.005 is reduced to The primary issue, and the easiest to check, is sails. Certificates show
f
0.00x. all the relevant data for each boat. Note that for both spinnakers and head-
OR
sails, certificates show the maximum permitted area for each. In the case
2.11 sail Limitations
of headsails, note that in addition to maximum rated area, there is also a
The limitations on sails carried are defined by IRC Rule 21.1.5. While Rule

RACE
maximum rated headsail luff length. While there is no requirement under
11.1 permits an Organising Authority to amend this, amendments are not
IRC for sails to be stamped or signed by a measurer, there is equally noth-
generally recommended except in very specific circumstances.
ing to stop a measurer doing so.
It is however worthwhile clarifying whether or not Rules 21.1.5 (d) and
Other useful and simple issues that can be checked are rig details (no.
(e) which address regattas run on consecutive days apply. A suitable
of spreaders etc.), rig material, and internal ballast.
clause might read:

OR
Finally, IRC Rule 9.2 includes the phrase ‘Anyone who has a valid inter-
Notice of Race:
est in a boat’s certificate may also request rating review from the Rating
x.0 For the purpose of IRC Rules 21.1.5 (d) and (e) this regatta is [is
Authority’. To be clear, the Rating Office has interpreted this to include
g
not] on consecutive days and the sails carried shall [shall not]
clubs and Race Committees with whom a boat is racing.
A
remain the same.
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2.12 Discards
5. Courses
With the ever-increasing range of boat types racing under IRC, it is inevi-
I
Incorporating an excessive number of discards into a series can lead to
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distortions in the series result. For instance, if a particular boat is very
table that courses and conditions will have an effect on race results. Race
ER
competitive in a narrow range of conditions and uncompetitive in other
Committees can go a considerable way towards minimising these effects
conditions, if she has the opportunity to discard all those races outside her
by considering carefully the types of courses set. Conditions are of course
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conditions, this may produce a result which does not properly reflect her
beyond the control of a Race Committee, but even then course location
may be significant. Some of the issues that a Race Committee might then
2010
overall performance relative to others in the fleet. It is recognised that a
large number of discards is appropriate in a long series. A small reduction
consider are:
however may be appropriate in some circumstances.
Course type. Courses without runs and with only reaches will inevitably
favour bowsprit-rigged boats and lighter boats generally. Conversely, all
2.13 safety and stability screening
runs will favour boats with conventional spinnaker poles and the heavier
Page 57 of this Yearbook gives full details of the screening of boats for
boats. Including both types of course will give everybody a chance on their
races. Organising Authorities should note that if they are using the SSS
day, but over a series a balanced range of courses is very desirable.
System, then with effect from 1 January 2009, the adjustment element of
Current. Beats against the current will tend to favour faster, more wind-
SSS for compliance with a particular category of ISAF Offshore Special
ward oriented designs and vice versa. In the limit, an all downwind, down
Regulations (OSR) was discontinued.
current course will almost inevitably produce a winner from the small
Prior to 1 January 2009, an Organising Authority stated in its Notice of
slow end of the fleet. When possible, selecting courses to minimise these
Race the minimum qualifying SSS Numeral. This SSSN was made up of
effects will produce more equitable results generally.
the SSS Base Value plus any adjustment for compliance with a category of
A second issue with current is that boats will inevitably try to minimise
Offshore Special Regulations. With effect from 1 January 2009, Organis-
(or maximise as appropriate) current effects. This becomes particularly
ing Authorities specify the minimum qualifying SSS Base Value. In overall
relevant when there are current gradients across a course and boats are
terms, the effects will be zero except that the requirement for a boat to com-
trying to get out of a foul current. Unless the shoreline is very steep to, the
ply with the conditions of any adjusted SSS Numeral at all times irrespec-
smaller (shallower draft) boats will be able to do this more effectively. In
tive of the OSR category of the race she is competing in will disappear.
these circumstances, it can be worth considering either moving the whole
course away from the shore so that everybody is in the full current all the
3. Measurement
time or alternatively including a series of passing marks to force boats into
Measurement generally is beyond the scope of this guide. However, an
the current.
IRC Measurement Manual is available on the IRC website, www.ircrat-
Weather Conditions. No Race Committee can influence the weather!
ing.org.
They can however influence where the course is positioned. If it is par-
ticularly rough, larger heavier boats will be favoured upwind. So if a series
4. Policing
features a number of heavy air races, it might be worth considering a less
Always a thorny subject! As with the rest of sail boat racing, certification
exposed course area on occasion if this is a possibility. Similarly, very con-
has to some extent to be self policing. There are however steps Race
stricted course areas (narrow channels for instance), particularly in light
Committees can take to help and occasions when a more pro-active
airs, will favour the lighter and more nimble boats in the fleet.
stance is appropriate.
Before a regatta or series starts, Race Committees should require that 6. Dual scoring
all competitors show the original of their certificate to the regatta office. It At the 2003 IRC Council meeting, Councillors again noted the Irish Sail-
is good practice to take copies a) for the file and b) so that a complete set ing Association policy that whenever possible club races should be dual
of all competitors’ certificates can be made available to the fleet. Please scored under both ECHO (the ISA’s personal performance handicap rule)
do not distribute copy certificates. Boats wanting copies of their competi- and IRC for boats holding certificates for both. The logic of this is that a per-
tors certificates should contact the RORC Rating Office. As well as (obvi- sonal handicap facilitates entry into racing for the less experienced and
ously!) the TCC, particular points to note on a certificate are: enables them to compete against and gauge their performance against
the more experienced sailors, while at the same time not discouraging the
● the date Is it valid? Is it after the cut-off date for certificate lodging?
latter group (who will probably have penal personal handicaps) by offering
● Crew Relevant if crew number/weight or classification restric-
this group parallel IRC results.
tions are in force.
The RYA’s Handicap Group have now reviewed this long standing and
● Headsails Is the boat rated for multiple headsails or for a single roller
successful ISA policy and, noting that IRC is complementary to personal
furling headsail with/without a heavy weather jib?
handicaps, have agreed that this should also be RYA policy. Rather than
All of the above and other related information is also contained in fleet splitting fleets into IRC and PY or local for club racing, clubs are there-
listings now available to all on the IRC website, www.ircrating.org. Race fore recommended to consider dual scoring under IRC and PY or local
organisers needing any further information should contact the RORC Rat- (personal) handicap as an alternative. Further advice is available from the
ing Office at info@rorcrating.com. Rating Office for any clubs wishing to adopt this policy.
56
Notes to Race Orgs.indd 56 26/11/09 16:52:33
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