IRC Yearbook 2009

IRC YEARBOOK 2009
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
I
t is very pleasing to be able to report continued growth in the number of boats with IRC Certiﬁ cates. At
the end of the last complete year (December 2007 in the northern hemisphere and May 2008 in the south)
numbers were up to an all-time record of 7355, an increase of 7.5 per cent on the previous year, and
growth is continuing in 2008. The number of countries with ﬂ eets of 25 or more boats has grown from 21
in 2006 to 23 in 2007 and up to 25 by 31 August, 2008.
The annual IRC Congress was held this year in London and was attended by representatives from
18 countries. The Congress is the place where rule changes can be proposed and agreed. It provides an
opportunity for delegates to share IRC experiences and to discuss the rule and its administration with RORC
and UNCL. IRC aims to accept a wide range of boats and the major change in the rule for 2009 is to permit
yachts to adjust forestay and mast foot while racing: of course, they will be rated accordingly for this feature.
We welcomed as an associate member, the International Maxi Association, who have also applied to
ISAF for the right to hold World Championships raced under IRC. The Maxi Class will bring a unique
perspective to IRC. These very large yachts, though relatively few in number, are often the source of
innovations that later ‘trickle down’ to the smaller boats which form the majority of the IRC ﬂ eet. Their
“
experience and the new challenges they bring will enrich the whole IRC community.
The annual IRC
I am delighted to report that RORC and UNCL invited us to nominate a representative to sit on the IRC
Policy Steering Group: we elected one of our Vice-Chairmen, Malcolm Runnalls from Australia, to this post.
Congress keeps on
This change symbolises the internationalisation of the IRC rule and the growing inﬂ uence of our Association.
If you would like to make a contribution to the work of the Congress, make suggestions for improvements
growing – this year or to ask for rule changes, please get in touch with your National IRC Owners Association or Rule Authority:
contact details are at the back of this yearbook.
it was attended
Whether you race mainly at your local club, attend one of the increasing number of National
by representatives
Championships, or travel the world to international regattas – I wish you fun and success in your IRC racing.
from 18 countries
Paul King, Chairman of the International IRC Owners Association
”
Ocean Safety
Following ﬁ ve years of successful sponsorship working with the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Ocean Safety
has just increased their commitment by sponsoring the IRC Rating System in the UK. Ocean Safety
previously sponsored the RORC mid-Channel racing mark and their range of specialist safety products
and services. This makes them the perfect partner for the RORC IRC programme.
Who’s Who at the Rating Office
75 years of combined Rating Ofﬁ ce experience!
As well as the popular Ocean Safety IRC, the RORC Rating Ofﬁ ce also creates, administers and maintains many other rating rules and one-
design classes. The RYA/RORC Sportsboat Rule (SBR), the Nautor's Swan Rule (NSR) and the MOCRA rating rule are just some of them.
Faith Carole James Emma Mike Anne Jenny
Mike Urwin - Technical Director
Jenny Howells – IRC Manager, IT, Website James Dadd – Chief Measurer, Volvo Open 70
Carole Abbott – Ofﬁ ce Manager, Accounts, NSR Faith Walshe - Rating Secretary, IRC, SBR
Emma Cary – Rating Secretary, IRC, SBR, MOCRA Anne Paterson – Administrator (Mon-Wed), Sail numbers

How to contact us:
RORC Rating Ofﬁ ce (Seahorse Rating Ltd) Seahorse Building, Bath Road, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 3SE, UK.
Tel +44 (0)1590 677030 Fax +44 (0)1590 679478 E-mail info@rorcrating.com www.rorcrating.com
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