Since the pandemic there has been a boost in numbers of people getting afloat - mostly sailors relatively new to the sport - and the RYA and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) are keen to encourage as many keelboat and cruiser-racer sailors as possible to enjoy racing at their clubs or local regattas. Recognising the need for, and current lack of an entry level rating system, the RYA and RORC have joined forces with the South West Yacht Time Correction Factor (YTC) rating system to develop and roll out a new initiative: the RYA YTC, powered by RORC Rating.
The GBR IRC Championships are very important events in the annual IRC racing calendar and the RORC Rating Office has been active in seeking out rewards for the winners. We are delighted to announce that renowned hardware experts Spinlock have offered a fantastic selection of prizes to each of the 10 GBR IRC Championships in 2022, comprising a £250 Spinlock Voucher, Spinlock Sail-Sense Sensor, Spinlock Deckvest 6D Lifejacket and Spinlock Deckpack. For the chance to win one or more of these attractive prizes, and with a full regional calendar of IRC championship events around the country, this is a great opportunity to get involved in IRC racing in your area.
In addition, IRC Rating and RORC are proud to offer the GBR IRC Regional Champions the opportunity to race and berth for free at the following year’s GBR IRC National Championship; to be held in Cowes in 2022. This offer is to bring the best performing regional winners into the limelight and competition of the national championship. The IRC Nationals traditionally see 50 of the best IRC yachts competing in intensive and challenging racing on the Solent across three days of racing. If you are a 2021 Regional IRC Champion and would like to take up this great offer for the 2022 IRC Nationals, please get in touch with RORC Race Team at . The 2022 National Championship runs from the Friday 10th June until Sunday 12th June 2022.
Applications are open for 2022 IRC rating. For boats based in the UK, owners can apply online now at https://myirc.rorcrating.com. An email has been sent to recent holders of IRC certificates with further details, you can read this online here.
Updates to IRC in 2022 include rule updates on boat weight and auto pilots; and rating formula changes include headsails, flying headsails, whisker poles and light and powerful boats. For more information the IRC website includes the 2022 rule text, information on rule changes, and advice about IRC software formulation changes for 2022: https://ircrating.org/irc-rule/. The 2022 IRC rule applies from 1st January 2022, except in countries with June-May validity where the rule will apply from 1st June 2022.