US-IRC News

NYYC Race Week to Serve as Rolex US-IRC National Championship

05-Mar-2010

NEWPORT, R.I. – The seventh biennial New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex will double as the Rolex US-IRC National Championship this year and is expected to attract participants from all corners of the country.

No other sailing event has Race Week’s unique split format for One-Design, Classic, 12 Metre and PHRF sailing in the beginning of the week (Saturday, July 17- Sunday, July 18, with One-Design Championships running through Monday, July 19) and IRC racing at the back end (Wednesday, July 21- Saturday, July 24) or the propensity for delivering that extra something that keeps it on the priority list for sailors serious about mixing hard-core competition with a compelling story line and good fun.

“The two sessions allow competitors to choose between a short week and a long week,” said Event Chair Peter Cummiskey. “For instance, the NYYC Swan 42 class has chosen Race Week at Newport as the venue for its national championship and the J/109 class will be sailing its North Americans for the first part of the week, but some owners will also enter their boats in the IRC racing during the second half. Some crew who sail One-Design in the first half of the week undoubtedly will find rides for the second half during IRC. It all depends on the time, opportunities and competitive appetites of individual sailors.”

Race Committee Chair John Myles added that there is no racing anticipated on Tuesday, July 20, allowing a day to switch to IRC configuration and facilitate crew changes. A mix of short course and middle-distance racing is planned for the IRC racers, depending on conditions. The Rolex US-IRC National Championship will end with a Rolex gala and awards banquet on Saturday, July 24.

Both segments of Race Week will feature NYYC’s notable race management team, beautiful sailing on the waters of Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound, convenient access to the largest concentration of world class offshore racing support facilities in North America, daily social gatherings and technical briefings, and the hospitality of the New York Yacht Club’s entire membership and staff. Rolex timepieces will be awarded for best overall performances in Classic, One-Design and IRC divisions.

Large fleets are anticipated for this premier event, with many traveling to the area to compete in the 2010 Newport to Bermuda Race and Onion Patch Series, the latter of which kicks off with the 156th NYYC Annual Regatta presented by Rolex (June 11-13). Last year, 105 yachts entered the Annual Regatta; two years ago, a Newport to Bermuda Race year, 110 yachts competed. The tradition of the Annual Regatta began at the New York Yacht Club's original clubhouse in Hoboken, N.J., in 1845, during its second year of existence.

Rolex Watch U.S.A. has been the exclusive presenting sponsor of NYYC events since 1994.

For more information, owners, class representatives, and the yachting press should contact the New York Yacht Club Sailing Office (phone 401-845-9633; fax 401-846-3303; email sailingoffice@nyyc.org) or visit www.nyyc.org.

CONTACT: Barby MacGowan, Media Pro Int’l, 401-849-0220, barby.macgowan@mediapronewport.com, or Michael Levitt, communications@nyyc.org

New Classes Emerge at Charleston Race Week

01-Mar-2010

IRC, Mixed Sportboats Classes Build As Entries Near 150

CHARLESTON, SC (March 01, 2010) - With 45 days to go, Charleston Race Week organizers are excited to announce the inclusion of IRC racing in the South's biggest and most exciting multiclass keelboat regatta. "IRC hasn't really caught on here in Charleston yet," said Race Director Randy Draftz. "But with hugely successful boats like Teamwork and Stark Raving Mad,and true Grand Prix racers like Vincitore entered in 2010 Charleston Race Week's IRC Class, we're certainly starting off with a bang!"

US-IRC Executive Director Luiz Kahl believes that Charleston is the perfect place for the international rule to grow. "IRC's growth has always been driven by boat owner interest, and we're glad to see Charleston Race Week competitors embrace it, further building the event's reputation as one of the top multi-class regattas in North America," said Kahl. IRC has seen solid growth in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Caribbean, while a number of Florida events include IRC classes, and Charleston "provides a natural transition" for these widespread areas, according to Kahl. "With such a great sailing town developing an IRC fleet, we hope the word will spread throughout the area about this simple and respected international rule that works equally well for Maxis and small cruiser/racers," said Kahl. As of today, Eight boats between 35 and 52 feet are registered to race IRC including the overall winner of 2009 Charleston Race Week, the winner of the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, and the winner of Key West Race Week's PHRF division.

Charleston Race Week is part of the 2010 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series as is the Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Race, which starts a week before Charleston Race Week and acts as a feeder race for CRW.

A mixed 'Sportboat' class is also likely, with boats like the Flying Tiger 10-Meter and Viper 830 registered to race as of today. These lightweight flyers are the big brothers to small, light, and ultra-fast one-design classes that make up more than half the Charleston Race Week fleet, and a separate class allows them to race against boats with similar sailing characteristics rather than the heavier, larger boats that they would ordinarily race. As of today, 45 boats are registered to race in the various PHRF divisions. .Current event entries are here.

The South's Biggest Regatta!

With most major winter/spring regattas suffering yet another hard year, major decreases across the board, Charleston continues to gain steam as it works towards another record year. With 149 confirmed entries, Charleston Race Week can claim the title of "biggest multiclass regatta in the South" to go along with its longtime moniker of "friendliest regatta in the world." Vincitore tactician Rodney Keenan has some idea why. "When we looked at which regattas to do during the winter, we figured out that we could sail Charleston Race Week for the cost of just shipping the boat to the Caribbean," Keenan said. "That's hard to beat, and with our friends telling us how great the racing, the parties, and the nightlife are, it was an easy decision."

With two Melges 32s entered and a number of owners sitting on the fence as they prepare for their big event in Miami this week, 2010 may see the first-ever Charleston start for this Class, perhaps the hottest big-boat racing in the world right now. Most Class events see 20 or more of these ultra high octane rockets racing against each other, and over 30 are expected at their World Championship in San Francisco this summer. "We sure hope to round out our sportboat showing in Charleston with a Melges 32 Class presence," said Melges Performance Sailboats CEO Harry Melges, Jr. "Charleston has been a great place to race Melges 24s for years, and the new Audi Melges 20 had its first-ever class start in Charleston just last year. And we can't forget the strong fleet of MC scows, E-Scows and Melges 17s...Melges Performance Sailboats love this city and the city loves them!"

Two Melges 32s are already registered for 2010 Charleston Race Week, and organizers have provided free storage for Melges 32s and other trailerable boats with some limitations - more info is available here.

Entertainment Lineup Sizzling Hot

With the help of Other Brother Entertainment, Charleston Race Week organizers have planned the best lineup of entertainment ever seen at Charleston Race Week. Thursday night's opening bash-on-the-beach features funk, reggae and ska band The Plainfield Project, while Friday's revelry will feature rock and dance music from party band Two 3 Ways for the entire crowd to 'get their party on.' Saturday brings long time Charleston Race Week solo performer Calvin Taylor with his mix of classic and modern covers, and of course all of the festivities benefit from the overwhelming favorite drink of sailors worldwide - Gosling's Rum Dark n' Stormies.

Win A Three-Day Sail Aboard A Classic Schooner - For 18!

All proceeds for Charleston Race Week go to the nonprofit South Carolina Maritime Foundation, an organization that educates thousands of at-risk youth aboard the beautiful and classic Spirit of South Carolina pilot schooner. The Foundation is kicking off 2010 by hosting a sponsorship drive for its summer scholarship fund with a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime prize: a three-day, two-night sail aboard the Spirit for the winner and 17 of their closest friends. Room and board on the 140-foot traditional gaff-rigged schooner are included, but transportation is the responsibility of the winner, and the cruise will take place in either coastal Carolina or New England at the winner's election.

Each 25$ ticket supports the Spirit Ocean Adventure Scholarship Fund, a summer program aboard the Spirit of South Carolina for 15- to 18-year-old participants. The money raised will cover the cost for approximately eight students, giving equal access for all students to participate. The winners will be announced on the final day of Charleston Race Week on April 11, 2010. With the purchase of two or more tickets you'll receive a free South Carolina Maritime Foundation calendar while supplies last. Corporate entries are welcome! Entry details are here and tickets can be purchased online here.

Charleston Race Week is an annual premier regatta for inshore and offshore racing sailboats 20' - 70' in length. The 15th edition of this event, the fastest growing regatta on the east coast, will be held April 8 - 11, 2010, headquartered at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Visit www.CharlestonRaceWeek.com for more information.

The South Carolina Maritime Foundation owns and operates the Spirit of South Carolina tall ship. The Foundation's mission is to offer effective, unique educational opportunities for students, focusing on the history, math, science and literature of our water resources and encouraging personal responsibility, contribution to the community and stewardship of the environment. Since its first season of programming in 2007, over 5,000 students have been served. With the support of local partnerships, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation is able to generate funds to keep these exceptional programs in place.

The New 2010 US-IRC Handbook is now available!!

08-Jan-10

US-IRC Foundation working closely with Sailing World magazine is pleased to announce the release of the 2010 US-IRC Handbook. For your convenience, this edition of the Handbook is available in electronic form and can be viewed in two digital versions:

1. Live on Zmags at: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/885da139#/885da139/1

2. In Adobe PDF format: http://www.sailingworld.com/webfiles/2010_US_IRC_Handbook.pdf

Both versions of the Handbook will be available online throughout the year for your reading at anytime.

Rosebud /Team DYT Wins 2009 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series -- 2010 Series Announced

21-Dec-2009

(December 21, 2009) -- Rosebud/Team DYT, the Reichel/Pugh-designed STP65, sailed by owner Roger Sturgeon of Fort Lauderdale, FL, has won the 2009 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series (GSS) Trophy. The award will be presented next summer at the New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, which will also host the 2010 Rolex US-IRC National Championship from July 21-24.

"The US-IRC Gulf Stream Series is a fantastic way to judge sailboats on a level playing field," said Sturgeon. "There were plenty of different inshore and offshore races that we could enter to qualify for the series, and the comprehensive ratings system allowed for boats to be ranked against each other in an extremely fair manner. Rosebud/Team DYT is optimized for all-around racing, not just downwind or upwind, and this series is a true test of all racing conditions. The GSS scoring formula is complicated enough that we didn't know if we actually won the series. It is an honor we proudly accept, and we challenge others to campaign their way to the top next year."

On the way to winning the fourth annual US-IRC GSS, Rosebud/Team DYT logged some impressive finishes. It finished first in the Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race, Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race, Ft. Lauderdale to Charleston Race and Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex. It also finished second in the Acura Key West Race Week and the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex before going to Europe where its successful season there ended with a fallen rig in rough conditions at the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Finishing second overall for the 2009 US-IRC GSS series was Privateer, a Cookson 50 owned and skippered by Ron O'Hanley (Ipswich, Mass.). The boat finished first at the Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race and Block Island Race Week, second in the Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race, Acura Key West Race Week and New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta, and third at the Ida Lewis Distance Race.

"US-IRC is delighted to have had two excellent programs at the top of this year's GSS," said US-IRC President John Brim, who won the series in 2008. "The wide range of events these two boats entered in 2009 show the great diversity of the Gulf Stream Series, and we are looking forward to an exciting and expanded series for 2010."

Brim explained that 19 events will make up the 2010 GSS (an increase of three events over last year), with events running as far north as Newport, R.I., and this year stretching deeper into the Caribbean to include the second running of the RORC's Caribbean 600.

2010 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series Announced

The US-IRC Gulf Stream Series (GSS), America's only year-long racing series that spans the entire East Coast of the U.S.A. and Caribbean islands, returns for its fifth annual running in 2010 with an expanded list of events that starts with the 2009 Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race (January 13) and ends with the Storm Trysail Club IRC East Coast Championship (October 29-31).

The 2010 series will follow the format of the 2009 series with a few minor differences.

o Yachts will be entered in the series automatically when they compete in their first series event. All yachts that qualify by sailing the required number of long distance, medium distance and regatta events will be scored for the series.

o The races and regattas will be divided into three groups as they have been in the past. To qualify for the series a boat must participate in the required number of events from Group 1 - Buoy Races (5 required), Group 2- Medium Distance Races (2 required) and Group 3 - Long Distance Races (1 required).

o The Groups are:

Group 1 - Buoy Races (5 events required)
Key West Race Week, January 13, 2010
Miami Grand Prix, March 4-7, 2010
International Rolex Regatta, March 26-28, 2010
Charleston Race Week, April 8-11, 2010
American Yacht Club Spring Series, April/May 2010
New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex, June 11-13, 2010
New York Yacht Club Race Week by at Newport presented Rolex/Rolex US-IRC National Championship, July 21-24, 2010
US-IRC Long Island Sound Championship, September 18-19, 2010
American Yacht Club Fall Series, September, 2010
Storm Trysail Club IRC East Coast Championship, October 29-31, 2010

Group 2 - Medium Distance Races (2 events required)
Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race, January 13, 2010
Miami to Nassau Race, November, 2010
Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race, May 21, 2010
Around Long Island Regatta, July 29, 2010
Ida Lewis Distance Race, August 20, 2010
Stamford Vineyard Race, September 3, 2010

Group 3 - Long Distance Races (1 event required)
Ft. Lauderdale to Charleston Race, March 31, 2010
Newport to Bermuda Race, June 18, 2010
Royal Ocean Racing Club Caribbean 600, February 2, 2010

For more information on the US-IRC Gulf Stream Series and US-IRC Foundation, please visit www.us-irc.org or contact Luiz Kahl at luiz@us-irc.org

More About US-IRC

The US-IRC Foundation, Inc. (www.us-irc.org) works in cooperation with US Sailing (www.ussailing.org) to support and develop the use of the IRC rule in the USA. US Sailing is the authorized body that issues IRC certificates under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) (www.rorcrating.com). The US-IRC Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of leading offshore sailors from throughout the US.

The US-IRC's mission is to promote and enhance inshore and offshore yacht racing throughout the country by expansion of the use of the rule. Supporting partners for the US-IRC rule this year are Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc., New York Yacht Club, Storm Trysail Club, St. Francis Yacht Club and Oak Hill Yacht Club.

The IRC has been granted "international" status by ISAF. It has been in existence since 1999 (adopted in the U.S. in 2004) and is now the basis for more than 8000 certificates issued in over 35 countries and 625 IRC yachts active in the U.S.

For more information on US-IRC, contact Luiz Kahl, (313) 886-4539, luiz@us-irc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Barby MacGowan, Media Pro Int’l for US-IRC, (401) 849-0220, barby.macgowan@mediapronewport.com; Luiz Kahl, US-IRC, (313) 886-4539, luiz@us-irc.org

New York Yacht Club Race Week Will Add Spice to Summer Sailing and Serve as Rolex US-IRC National Championship

14-Dec-09

December 14, 2009 - When it comes around again next summer, the seventh biennial New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex will be one of the most anticipated regattas in the country. No other sailing event has its unique split format for One-Design, Classic, 12 Metre and PHRF championships in the beginning of the week (Saturday, July 17-Monday, July 19) and IRC racing at the back end (Wednesday, July 21- Saturday, July 24) or the propensity for delivering that extra something that keeps it on the priority list for sailors serious about mixing hard-core competition with a compelling story line and good fun. In 2008, host New York Yacht Club embellished Race Week activities with the unforgettable 100th birthday celebration of America's legendary yacht designer Olin J. Stephens; in 2010, the club will ramp up for the integration of the Rolex US-IRC National Championship, an annual event that last year was held on the West Coast and this year is expected to attract participants from all corners of the country.

"The two sessions allow competitors to choose between a short week and a long week," said Event Chair Peter Cummiskey. "For instance, the NYYC Swan 42 class has chosen Race Week at Newport as the venue for its national championship and the J/109 class will be sailing its North Americans for the first part of the week, but some owners will also enter their boats in the IRC racing during the second half. Some crew who sail One-Design in the first half of the week undoubtedly will find rides for the second half during IRC. It all depends on the time, opportunities and competitive appetites of individual sailors."

Both segments of Race Week will feature NYYC's notable race management team, beautiful sailing on the waters of Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound, convenient access to the largest concentration of world class offshore racing support facilities in North America, daily social gatherings and technical briefings, and the hospitality of the New York Yacht Club's entire membership and staff. Rolex timepieces will be awarded for best overall performances in Classic, One-Design and IRC divisions.

Rolex Watch U.S.A. has been the exclusive presenting sponsor of NYYC events since 1994.

For more information, owners, class representatives, and the yachting press should contact the New York Yacht Club Sailing Office (phone 401-845-9633; fax 401-846-3303); email sailingoffice@nyyc.org or visit www.nyyc.org,

Media Contact:
Barby MacGowan
Media Pro International
barby.macgowan@mediapronewport.com
401-225-0249 mobile
or
Michael Levitt, communications@nyyc.org

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