New rulings will
improve safety and
stability, as well as
racing conditions
Estimated numbers to
end of 2008
RORC
GBR 1960
The IRC has opened its arms to the
USA 590
IRC Race Management
Australia 600
Race Committees are strongly encouraged to tailor ‘mini maxi’ class and developments
Ireland 420
New Zealand 100
IRC to suit the particular circumstances of their races. Other SE Asia 40
See Notes for Race Organisers on pages 59-61 for
seen in this arena will trickle down
South Africa 100
more information.
Hong Kong 90
into the broader fleets
Other Europe 20
Netherlands 135
Malta 60
boats is broadly unaffected. What is affected is the seen this year in those boats (which my own
Thailand 50
proportion of new boats signing up. It seems that owners observations and also my spies tell me may not all have
Gulf States 50
Japan 120
generally continue to race, albeit perhaps with reduced been as immediately successful as their owners and
Germany 50
budgets. While IRC as a whole may not suffer, it seems designers might have wished) will trickle down into the
Singapore 50
possible that the trend noted at a number of GBR broader fleets. Which can only be for the good of all. Israel 20
regattas this year for static or slightly reduced entries Looking forward again, the primary objective of the
Canada 30
may continue. Another apparent trend noted in GBR and IRC Technical Committee is to make available a rule that
Iceland 15
Bermuda 9
elsewhere is an increase in what are known as ‘white is the most equitable for the greatest number of
Sweden 30
sail’ (ie no spinnaker) classes. Perhaps this trend will competitors. So we wish to embrace the ‘mini maxis’ and Finland 15
also accelerate because of the campaign cost reductions. other novel areas of our sport, but in a way that does not
World & Other 25
And short-handed sailing? Perhaps there too. What I discomfort the majority. Our secondary objective is to
Total 4639
can’t see is the whole thing coming to a grinding halt. encourage designers towards multi-purpose designs and
UNCL
Staying with the same theme, the article on pages not towards designs suitable for windward/leeward
France 1064
24-25, Getting an Edge, is perhaps particularly pertinent. (‘bananas’ as our French colleagues say) racing only. Italy 1005
Anybody can race a competitive boat by throwing For 2009, it’s unlikely there will be major changes to
Turkey 324
unlimited money at the problem. But for the vast majority the calculation of TCC which will affect the majority of the
Spain 165
Portugal 110
that is just not an option. So what should you spend your fleet. There will be detail changes in a number of areas
Belgium 100
money on? Read on…. resulting from review of elements of the calculation, and Greece 106
Mainstream IRC fleets in 2008 saw little dramatic also developments in the design and handling of boats,
Argentina 35
change. It was more a case of development and sails and rigs. This year’s changes will be reviewed.
Bulgaria 40
Switzerland 20
refinement along established themes. One area where Based, however, on experience this year, there are
Uruguary 45
some novelty has been seen was in the rather more unlikely to be significant changes in these areas.
Others 50
rarified ‘mini maxi’ arena. While not directly of relevance Technical rule changes include amendments to the
to the great majority the simple fact of these fabulous definitions of FL and J and associated rules. For 99 per
Total 3064
boats racing within IRC provides a continuity of cent of boats, these changes will be irrelevant. The
Overall total 7703
‘playground’ right through the sport. The developments purpose is to recognise the increasing number of
8
5
IRC 09 Opener P3-6_bs.indd 5 1/12/08 08:45:27
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68