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Page 18. MAINE COASTAL NEWS November 2009
Yacht Racing News
US-IRC CONTINUES TO MAKE STRIDES - FIVE YEARS OF SUCCESS
It has been five years since the IRC rule “The IRC rule is now part of sailing at all relevant into the future. But, perhaps most exemplified by the USA,” said Andrew
(www.ircrating.org) was adopted in the levels, ranging from club races to major importantly, IRC seems to reward well- McIrvine, Commodore of the Royal Ocean
United States. With the recent news of the offshore events,” said US-IRC President prepared and well-sailed yachts.” Racing Club, which manages the IRC rule.
inaugural US-IRC Championship of Long John Brim, who successfully skippers his The World Stage “The foresight of the leading clubs in the
Island Sound and the New York Yacht Club RP55 Rima2 in national and international “Beyond the U.S., IRC is by far the USA to adopt and promote IRC, and the
hosting the Rolex US-IRC National events. “US-IRC exists to both educate leading handicap system, offering great establishment of the US-IRC to foster its
Championship at Newport next year, it is American sailors about the benefits of the opportunities to sailors interested in trying development, have made this the rule for all
clear that IRC in the U.S. (www.us-irc.org) is rule and encourage race organizers to utilize international competition,” said Brim, who U.S. offshore sailors who wish to race
healthy and continuing to progress steadily. IRC in their events.” explained that an IRC certificate is an seriously both at home and abroad.”
Brim noted that in addition to the new international passport for a racing yacht, Why IRC?
US-IRC Championship of Long Island enabling it to travel across national borders So what are the advantages of the IRC
Sound, there are regional US-IRC using the same certificate wherever it goes. rule? According to US-IRC, the highlights
Championships for the Great Lakes and on “With sailors racing around the world under include: IRC is professionally administered
the Pacific and East Coasts, together with the identical handicap rules, it facilitates and continuously refined, taking into
national championship, which rotates traveling to foreign events, knowing in account both existing boats and new
among regions each year. IRC is also advance exactly how you will be technology. IRC rates a boat objectively,
featured as the principal handicap system in handicapped. Conversely, it is important for using owner or measurer supplied inputs
many other major regattas and distance big events in the U.S. that attract foreign and a confidential formula, rather than rating
races, including the Acura Key West Race entries. based on the opinion of a committee that may
at the Owls Head Transportation Museum,
Week, the Miami Grand Prix, the Bayview In early October, Brim will travel with US be influenced by local factors and skill levels
home to an operating collection of antique
Port Huron to Mackinac distance race, the SAILING’s Offshore Director Dan Nowlan of crew. IRC rates time-on-time and so
aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles and
Pineapple Cup-Montego Bay Race and the to represent the U.S. at the World IRC inherently corrects for current and wind
more. Our special events include vintage car
Rolex Big Boat Series in San Francisco. Congress in Paris. The primary focus of the conditions; IRC encourages speed, and
rallies, antique airplane shows, free Model T
The annual US-IRC Gulf Stream Series, Congress, which will be attended by IRC rates the speed, but doesn’t punish it. It tries
rides and children’s activities!
which starts in January and finishes in representatives from 27 countries, is to to balance fairly the characteristics of older
CHILDREN UNDER 18 ARE FREE!
November, offers a comprehensive season review the year’s developments and heavier boats vs. modern boats. IRC is a
Owls Head
championship that includes 18 IRC events in consider proposals for IRC Rule changes. single-number rating that evaluates boats
Florida, the Caribbean and along the East One important topic for this year will be the on all points of sail, encouraging all-around
Transportation Museum
Coast. Newly added for 2010 is the RORC issues of powered winches and “stored performance. IRC is collaborative and
Open Every Day • Year Round
Caribbean 600 Race, which had its exciting power.” “We will see what the other owner-driven, with international input
inaugural race this year. countries have to say,” said Brim, “but US- through owners’ organizations and the
117 MuseumSt.
In Southern California, the newly IRC does not favor the complexity and annual congress. IRC protects the
Owls Head,
formed SoCal52 class (for TP52s of different expense of powered winches, except for competitiveness of older boats. IRC is a fair
two miles south
of Rockland,
vintages and with varying modifications) really large boats.” and uniformly applied system, ideal for major
Maine
chose the IRC as its rating rule and used it at The U.S. delegation to the World regattas where boats from different regions
the first-ever SoCal 52 Regatta in September. Congress is likely to receive a warm welcome, meet, alleviating issues with conforming
“I believe IRC to be fair, simple and since IRC officials believe that the US-IRC’s ratings. IRC costs are reasonable. Obtaining
portable,” said Andy Rasdal, owner of the accomplishments here are critical to a “standard” certificate with owner-supplied
San Diego-based TP52 Valkyrie. “IRC seems furthering the rule’s international appeal. information or using one-design class
to reward designs that make sense— “It is very encouraging to see the measurements costs approximately $5.75 per
designs that are exciting to race and will be increasing international success of IRC as foot. This type of certificate can be used for
most local IRC events. An “endorsed”
certificate involves using a measurer to
provide information and costs the same plus
weighing costs. The advantage of a
certificate is greater precision, especially for
custom boats, and endorsed certificates are
preferred for major championships.
More About US-IRC
The US-IRC Foundation, Inc. (www.us-
irc.org) works in cooperation with US Sailing
(www.ussailing.org) to support and develop
the use of the IRC rule in the USA. US Sailing
is the authorized body that issues IRC
certificates under the auspices of the Royal
Ocean Racing Club (RORC)
(www.rorcrating.com). The US-IRC
Foundation is governed by a Board of
Directors comprised of leading offshore
sailors from throughout the US.
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The US-IRC’s mission is to promote and
enhance inshore and offshore yacht racing
throughout the country by expansion of the
use of the rule. Supporting partners for the
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US-IRC rule are Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc.,
New York Yacht Club, Storm Trysail Club, St.
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The IRC has been granted
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in existence since 1999 (adopted in the U.S.
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