Editorial Inversion 1
Andrew Hurst
In his column (page 41) Rob Weiland floats the interesting hypothesis that in terms of rating rules, on the surface at least, we have things back to front. His conclusion is that were we to revisit the whole subject of rated handicap racing for yachts from scratch we would probably decide that it is simple, domestic grass roots racing that needs
a complex scoring system, while the top-end pro’ed teams are better able to make do with something much simpler. In some ways this is how things are going now but it happened
by accident. In the USA keen local racers who have outgrown the snakes and ladders of PHRF are beginning to find satisfaction in the more complex ORC system. Conversely, while IRC – originally Channel Handicap – was introduced as a simpler option to IOR and then IMS, for local racing, it is now the choice of many major regattas and all the 600nm offshore classics. So in 2024 simple old IRC by default becomes the world’s Grand Prix Yacht Racing Rule in all but name. So we sort of got there in the end, but how much easier could
it have been! And, as Rob implies, we are only all rubbing along as we are today, IRC and ORC, because ORC has, deliberately or not, accepted a slowly changing role… As long as no one prods the bear. And we promise to do our best, honest.
Inversion 2 ‘Why did I sell my Fireball dinghy and take up big boat racing… I have very little free time and I want to be sure that if I travel to my boat I will always get a race’ – Sir Edward Heath, Admiral’s Cup and Sydney-Hobart race winner ‘Well, not any more, bud’ – ed Rating systems are a key part of big boat racing, but not of the
But not everyone Though this is a bit close to home, please can I flag up one more point. The loss of confidence by once terrifyingly ‘push-on-through’ French regatta organisers is inseparable from the fallout from the Nioulargue tragedy of 1995. Others have less of an excuse. But there are a few great clubs around the world that still live by
those words, ‘it is the skipper’s responsibility alone…’ Anyone who raced either of the last two Fastnet races, both setting off in 30-35kt+ wind against tide, knows who one of these clubs are. So take a bow, the Royal Ocean Racing Club. If you do come to next year’s reinvigorated Admiral’s Cup, I suggest you bring your oilskins.
Holding it together It was surely inevitable that the transition to scows in the Class40 would eventually hit a glitch or two. A consensus is growing that while scows allow you to achieve ridiculous average speeds offshore, once again there is no free lunch. The slamming can be pretty dreadful on these boats, taking an inevitable toll on the structures. There is also of course the unspoken way in which the Class40 turned itself into an A and a B division fleet almost overnight. However, loyal reader and experienced ocean racer Joe Lacey
has, we have to concede (sorry, Joe), come up with a smart idea: raise the minimum hull weight just for scows, allowing some extra structure from new; and thereby also give the old sharpies a leg-up by leaving them at the original lower minimum weight. Where’s the catch?
q
same order as the deteriorating issue of competitors – and races – not starting because of adverse forecasts. This topic became unavoidable in June when the majority of the
Maxi fleet withdrew from the long (251nm…) race at an other wise wonderful Giraglia Regatta. The forecast was for 25-30kt but it was a predominantly downwind course and for the final upwind stage to Genoa predicted to drop to under 15kt. In fact, it dropped to almost nothing, the irony being that the Giraglia offshore race was won overall (on IRC, natch) by 70-odd year-old Didier Gaudoux and Erwan Tabarly, on their nippy little 35-footer Lann Aël 3. There were excuses for pulling out, chiefly the lack of reef points.
Which is fair enough… but only to a point. The implication being that these glorious large yachts no longer have anything other than day- sailing and day-racing in the design remit. Nothing wrong with that, he who pays the piper and all that. But do race organisers and other competitors not deserve to be told if (the more glamorous) half of their fleet is actually, honestly, unlikely to ever start the premier race in all but the most perfect conditions. So please can the big yachts avoid sending confusing messages
down to the humble end of the fleet, when a 100-footer stacked full of pros pulls out of a race that in the end is won by two outstanding – but not young – French sailors on a boat one-third the size. There are obviously other factors at play, potential damage, maintenance, etc etc… But let’s be honest, the key go/no-go decisions are usually premeditated and made for their own reasons. You wonder where this fundamental change in attitude to longer, rougher races came from. Some as usual are far more honest than others… One of the most
experienced Maxi owners I know came clean: ‘I’ve done my heavy-air sailing and if it’s flat calm it’s too boring to go out.’ Respect.
‘
YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE What arrogant soul at this dusty club thought we needed yet another
but that book is full – Waters
Today, Mr President,
round-the-world race? – Sam Waters Maybe they do not have internet in Plymouth,
AGE MELLOWS I was a classically trained musician and worked with numerous artists as a session
Bowie’s Life on Mars?.
All sorts of stuff… – Wakeman I am even on some Des O’Connor records,
CLASSIER TIMES I’m my own worst
we’re all Republicans – the Doc
BIG BOYS’ TOYS We’re learning, there will never be a 60ft multihull fleet that can
arrive 100% intact – Nigel Irens (1989) I think a drop-out rate of 20-30% is the way it is for a serious ocean
musician – Rick Wakeman, co-founder of Yes
race in these boats – Marc Guillemot You’re right, if you don’t like the way it is then take up sponsored
tiddlywinks – Irens
MISGUIDED Herr Hitler is under the
though I keep that quiet – Wakeman
enemy – Former Labour Deputy PM Herbert Morrison
Not while I’m alive
you’re not – Wartime Labour grandee Ernie Bevin
WHAT A CREEP I just hope you’re a
Republican – Ronald Reagan greets the surgeon after being shot by John Hinckley…
powerful thumb of Stalin – Bertrand Russell And Stalin’s interest in
peace is overwhelming – Russell These fellow intellectuals issue stern ultimata and other such pearls on an almost
monthly basis – Nobel Laureate George Stigler
basis – Stigler
And often on no other
NEVER A THANK YOU They phone in rich – Elon Musk on why some employees rarely turn up
SEAHORSE 11
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