IRC YEARBOOK 2009
4 SPARE decision of the IRC Policy Steering Group shall be final.
Part 2 GENERAL INFORMATION 9 RATING CERTIFICATES
9.1 All IRC ratings will be calculated by and rating certificates issued by
5 ADMINISTRATION the Rating Authority. Rule Authorities may be authorised to issue
5.1 IRC is administered by Seahorse Rating Ltd (referred to in these and print rating certificates under licence.
Rules as the RORC Rating Office) and the UNCL Centre de Calcul 9.2 A boat shall not hold more than one valid IRC rating certificate at I
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(referred to as UNCL) only. The expression 'Rating Authority' is any time except as permitted by Rule 9.2.1.
defined as the RORC Rating Office and the UNCL Centre de Calcul 9.2.1 A boat may additionally hold a separate short-handed
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acting jointly. The expression 'Rule Authority' is defined as any certificate. This short-handed certificate shall be valid only
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other individual or body authorised by the Rating Authority to act for for racing in classes, or divisions of classes, for no more
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the Rating Authority on a local basis for the administration of IRC in than 2 crew, included in a Notice of Race. The short-handed
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a defined geographical area. certificate will be clearly identified and shall only vary from
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5.2 In order to ensure the integrity of the secret elements of the IRC the primary certificate in respect of headsail dimensions,
Rule all details of the IRC Rule are the sole property of the RORC single furling headsail allowance, SPA, STL, spinnaker
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Rating Office and UNCL who shall appoint an IRC Technical pole/bowsprit, moveable ballast and variable ballast.
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Committee comprised solely of those persons who have 9.2.2 Issue of any new rating certificate automatically invalidates
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knowledge of the secret elements of the Rule. This committee shall the old one.
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be solely responsible for any changes in the Rule algorithms. 9.2.3 A copy of the current rating certificate(s) shall be kept on
5.3 IRC TCCs are the copyright of RORC Rating Office and UNCL board the boat.
jointly. Action may be taken against any third party using IRC 9.3 An IRC certificate is valid for racing under Part 3, IRC advertising
derived handicaps, whether precise or amended, for the purpose permitted, and Part 4, IRC advertising not permitted.
of race handicapping any boat without a current IRC certificate. 9.4 Rating certificates will be issued with the heading of the Rule
Stability and Safety Screening numerals are RORC Rating Authority and any sponsorship as appropriate. An owner may apply
Office copyright. to the Rule Authority to have an IRC rating certificate ’Endorsed’.
5.4 The RORC Rating Office and UNCL shall also appoint an IRC The Rule Authority will inform the boat of any measurement or other
Policy Steering Group to which Rule Authorities may report. The checks required prior to issuing a certificate carrying the notation
Policy Steering Group will advise the IRC Technical Committee ENDORSED (see also rule 17).
in the interests of owners and will oversee the text of the IRC part 9.4.1 On IRC certificates for all boats rated for one or more
of the Rule. downwind sails (see rule 26.6), a second, non spinnaker,
5.5 Additionally there shall exist an IRC Owners' Association TCC is printed.
comprising owners of boats holding current IRC certificates. The 9.4.2 The non spinnaker TCC shall be valid only for races for
IRC Owners' Association shall have international representation which the Notice of Race includes a non spinnaker division
which reflects the distribution of certificated boats, and or class. Boats shall declare their intention to enter such a
shall be a forum for owners to discuss and if agreed to make non spinnaker class using the second TCC a minimum of
recommendations or suggestions to the IRC Technical Committee seven days before the race, or first race if a series of races,
and the IRC Policy Steering Group. and shall not then be permitted to race using a spinnaker for
the race or races.
6 INTERPRETATIONS 9.5 The Rating Authority may at its sole discretion re-issue or may
6.1 Requests for interpretation of the IRC Rule shall be made in writing refuse to issue or to re-issue an IRC certificate if in its sole opinion
through Rule Authorities to the Rating Authority who will consult Rule 2.5 may be infringed, or for any other reason. No reason
and communicate any decision to Rule Authorities. need be stated.
9.6 Change of ownership and/or any changes in sail number,
7 DISPENSATIONS rated dimensions, or physical changes which might affect the
7.1 The Rating Authority may grant dispensations to the IRC Rule performance of the boat will automatically invalidate the rating
on an individual boat basis at it's entire discretion. Any such certificate. Attention is drawn to rule 17 and to RRS 78, Compliance
dispensations shall be noted on a boat's IRC certificate. with Class Rules; Certificates.
9.7 When the Rating Authority has reasonable evidence that a boat
8 LANGUAGE AND RULE DEFINITIONS does not conform to its certificate, or that there has been a breach
8.1 The languages of IRC shall be English and French. In the event of these Rules, or that there has been an error in the determination
of any discrepancy, the English text shall prevail. The meaning of of the rating, or that there has been a gross breach of the IRC Rules
any word shall be by reference to the Oxford English Dictionary or of good manners or sportsmanship, the certificate may (at the
in the context in which it appears. The words ‘shall’ and ‘must’ are absolute discretion of the Rating Authority) be withdrawn without
mandatory, the words ‘may’ and ‘can’ are permissive. The word compensation and the owner shall be informed in writing.
‘should’ is advisory. 9.8 Certificates will normally be valid on payment of the appropriate fee
8.2 Any reference to the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) is defined as the for the current calendar year only, but at the discretion of the relevant
current version of The Racing Rules of Sailing of the International Rule Authority, and with agreement from the Rating Authority, the
Sailing Federation (ISAF). Reference to the Equipment Rules of year may run from 1 June to 30 May of the following year.
Sailing refers to the current version of the ISAF Equipment Rules 9.9 Each boat racing under IRC shall hold a current valid IRC certificate.
of Sailing (ERS). Reference to Special Regulations is defined as Action may be taken against any third party using information
the current version of Special Regulations of the ISAF Offshore derived from IRC for the purpose of handicapping or rating any boat
Racing Committee. without a current IRC certificate.
8.3 ERS Part I shall apply except where deleted or amended by 9.10 Irrespective of where a boat is registered, she shall apply for
IRC Rules. her IRC certificates to the appointed IRC Rule Authority in the
8.4 ERS Part II, Definitions, Section G, Sail Definitions, shall apply country in which she predominantly races. Exceptionally, with the
except as stated by IRC Rules or Appendix 1. agreement of the Rating Authority, she may apply through another
8.5 Any dispute arising out of the administration of the IRC Rules by Rule Authority.
the Rating Authority or a Rule Authority shall be referred to the IRC 9.11 On request and payment of a fee, and in accordance with any
Policy Steering Group referred to in Rule 5.4 - which shall allow the administrative rules published by the Rating Authority, the Rating
applicant to be given a fair opportunity to make his case either in writing Authority may supply a copy of a boat’s valid or immediately expired
or in person (as the IRC Policy Steering Group may determine). The IRC certificate, including owner name, to any interested party.
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IRC 09 Rules P33-43_bs.indd 35 1/12/08 09:10:45
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