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Western Long Island Sound IRC Group Formed

Twelve owners of IRC-rated racing sailboats and four advisors have formed a new group called Sound IRC. The group is seeking to improve both the quality of IRC sailboat racing on Western Long Island Sound (near New York City) and also to increase participation.

Rich DuMoulin, Chairman of the National Owners Association of US-IRC, said "IRC is founded on the principle that it is an owners rule administered by professionals. With Sound IRC we are taking this to the local level where owners directly work with yacht clubs and race committees to make the racing more fun and attract more competitors. "

For the 2009 racing season, Sound IRC has started coordinating among racing sailboat owners and sailors, the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound (YRALIS), Race Committees of Yacht Clubs near New York City and the national IRC authority (US-IRC). We look forward to helping local owners obtain a Standard or Endorsed IRC certificate, establishing Classes for the approximately 125 local boats to foster close competition and camaraderie, and working with our local Race Committees to introduce IRC-friendly Courses to existing regattas.

Bob Kendrick, President of the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound, said: “The YRA of LIS has found that owner driven groups, such as the J44 Class Association, Level 72's, etc. have been one of the best ways to increase both the quality of and number of participants racing. When the Sound IRC Owner's Group approached us, we enthusiastically endorsed their activities and asked what we could do to support them. Our hope is that this group will serve as the spokesman for IRC racing within our area, with the YRA acting as a communications channel to the YRA member clubs and individual YRA members with the focus being to improve racing for all. Already, they have made suggestions such as: mixing up course configurations rather than a continued diet of windward/leeward courses and recommending IRC division splits which have been adopted for the American YC Series and, we understand, for BIRW.

They have donated the Oak Cliff Cup, which provides an incentive for owners to participate in multiple YRA races. Charlie Powers, the YRA scorer for season trophies, is working with them to develop the deed of gift and will do the scoring. In addition, we will jointly review the qualifying requirements for the YRA's other IRC trophies.

With decreased participation in offshore one design classes and handicap racing in general, the proactive actions of this group will serve to enhance racing for all.”

New York area racing sailboats will be able to compete not only for YRALIS’s existing Trophies for IRC racing, the Caper and the De Coursey Fales, but also for the new short series combining distance and around-the-buoys events, the Oak Cliff Cup. Consult YRALIS for more information on the many local IRC events.

“This New York area effort is a great idea and is exactly what we are hoping to see in all regions of the country, “ said John Brim, president of US-IRC.

We are interested in feedback from Race Committees, racing sailboat owners and sailors, whether already racing under IRC or exploring how this rating system could work for them; please contact us at info@sound-irc.org

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.