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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - - The Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race saw an extremely competitive group of 50-something footers from Sydney and Melbourne; including six TP52´s, a new Farr 55 Living Doll, two Cookson 50s, a new Reichel Pugh 50, Secret Mens Business and Yendys a RP55, battle it out for handicap honors.
 
This group of high performance racing yachts participate in all Australia's major ocean races and regattas and  after their performance over the last few days,  Yendys has emerged as leader of this pack resulting in a second place.
 
Yendys and overall handicap winner, Loki RP63, launched in 2008, are slugging it out for the position of Australia´s leading IRC boat. Now that Loki has succeeded in staking her claim in this race, Yendys owner Geoff Ross, whose last victory in an ocean race was in 2009 in the Sydney to Newcastle race has declared game on as both yachts are set for a showdown in Hamilton Island later this month. Ross won the event in 2007.

"Yendys has undergone continuous refinement since she was launched in 2006. By working closely with Reichel Pugh the boat is now quicker through the water and has significantly improved our IRC rated performance. Recently the fin, bulb and rudder were replaced. Southern spars upgraded the rig and our sail development program is with North Sails," said Geoff Ross.
 
It also helps that his crew of a very high calibre including world renowned ocean racer, Chris Nicholson, who was recently named as the Skipper of the ETNZ Volvo Ocean Race campaign.
 
The IRC rating rule strongly supports evolutionary improvement and keeps racing boats competitive for longer much to the delight of Ross.
 
"The reality is that a three and a half year old boat is still on the leading edge of ocean racing in Australia compared to one year when I was racing grand prix IMS boats," he said.
 
According to Ross, Velocity Prediction Program (VPP)  based rules like IMS or ORC traditionally keep boats current and competitive for only one year.
 
He has supported IMS with four boats and now firmly believes that the IRC rule produces the best boats and creates the best ocean racing that he has ever experienced since he began racing offshore.
 
"Nothing is perfect in handicapping but overall the IRC rule has been managed and developed very effectively and fairly by the RORC. I will never return to racing under a VPP rule."

Interested in using IRC?

Owners and Organizing Authorities wishing to adopt IRC for their events should contact US-IRC Executive Director Luiz E. Kahl for help with the process luiz@us-irc.org.

The US SAILING Offshore office administers the IRC rule in the US. Yacht owners should contact Eric Baittinger at irc@ussailing.org for help with certificate application or with rating questions.

For all US-IRC latest news, events and seminars check out the US-IRC web site at www.us-irc.org and go racing with us.