RORC Rating Office

Cowes Week & Rolex Fastnet Race 2021 IRC certificate advice

Details: Last Updated: Thursday, 15 July 2021 16:11

The annual on-the-water festival that is Cowes Week is almost upon us (31st July) and the offshore classic Rolex Fastnet Race follows closely after it (8th August). If you are racing in an IRC Rating class, and also if you are doing both events, there are some important things to bear in mind to avoid any last minute panics!

1) the deadline for IRC certificates for Cowes Week is 1700 Tuesday 27th July (this is the latest date we must issue the certificate). Please get your application in as soon as possible, and if you apply after Tuesday 20th July make sure you request Expedited processing.

2) the deadline for IRC certificates for Rolex Fastnet Race is 1700 Thursday 29th July; if you apply after Thursday 22nd July make sure you request Expedited processing.

If you are doing both Cowes Week and the Rolex Fastnet Race and will be changing from an inshore to offshore configuration or making other changes:

-- apply for your Fastnet amendment as soon as possible but make sure you tell us in the additional notes section that it is for the Rolex Fastnet Race and that you are also doing Cowes Week.

-- we will not issue your Fastnet amendment until after 27th July, but you will need to let Cowes Week know so that they do not pick up an incorrect rating from our online listing.

Application portal for GBR based boats: https://myirc.rorcrating.com

IRCRecords™ launches brand new concept

Details: Last Updated: Thursday, 15 July 2021 16:03

For decades record-setting in sailing has been dominated by adventurers, pioneers, eccentrics and, in recent years, pro-sailing teams in custom built machines.

That is now set to change with the advent of a new platform that will enable any skipper and crew to use their yacht and its rating, to attempt a record course and then see their new benchmark time published.

Bringing a new concept to the world of sailing, ‘Corrected Time Records’ enables a new category of sailing record which is launching with the IRCRecords.com platform. Attempts will be calculated and ratified using the highly popular ‘International Rating Certificate' system (IRC).

Whether a 100’ supermaxi, standard production cruiser/racer, sports boat, high-tech racing yacht or a classic, the IRC rating rule is highly inclusive. Having a record that is based on corrected time rather than the more traditional elapsed time, allows teams to compete on a level playing field.

Read more about this exciting new concept on the IRC website, or head straight to http://www.ircrecords.com/

IRC Rating opens for 2021

Details: Last Updated: Thursday, 15 July 2021 15:49

ircn20d3 568 Sailplane The new season has got off to a positive start with applications coming in for 2021 IRC rating certificates and a steady stream of enquiries to the RORC Rating Office, the technical hub of the Royal Ocean Racing Club. There was a record flood of entries for the RORC’s flagship event, the Rolex Fastnet Race, when entries opened last week, as well as enthusiasm from club racers around the UK and overseas.

The International Rating Certificate (IRC) is aimed at a very wide range of keelboats of all sizes and shapes including modern production cruisers and cruiser/racers through dedicated one-off race boats, older cruisers and racers to classic yachts and superyachts. IRC is continually developed to encompass new developments while at the same time protecting the interests of the current fleet.

There are some exciting developments for 2021 including the addition of flying headsails to the IRC sail wardrobe and an improved method of rating spinnaker poles and whisker poles, and the RORC Rating Office is seeing great interest in the rating effects of these changes.