2025 Race Schedule

The 2025 MUSTO - ISORA Schedule of Races is now published.

See the document here 

IRC Rule changes for 2025

6 November 2024

IRC 2025 Rule text published

Following ratification at the IRC International Congress, the IRC Rating Technical Committee has published the IRC 2025 Rule text, now available on the IRC website. The new rules take effect from January 1, 2025 (in countries using a June-May validity period it will apply from June 1, 2025). After the significant changes introduced in 2024 - such as rating the number of headsails and the requirement for sail stamps - the 2025 updates focus on text refinements aimed at providing clarity, ensuring alignment with current sailing practices, and incorporating updates from the latest 2025-2028 Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS).

To clarify Rule 21.3.1 on sail sheeting and reduce potential confusion, it now explicitly specifies that sails cannot be sheeted from multiple points simultaneously. For sail measurement, IRC Rule 13.2 has also been updated to align with changes in the 2025-2028 ERS, retaining the required characteristics of a measurement batten to determine sail corner points.

Additional updates, include wording revisions to accommodate modern configurations, practices, and terminology. Rule 21.2.2, covering rig factors, now explicitly addresses rotating rigs (whether active or passive) and requires rig features to be declared at any time they are changed, rather than only at initial application. Furthermore, the updated definition of "stored power" supports a better understanding of what constitutes stored power versus crew-generated power.

An amendment to Rule 9.8 further enhances measurement precision by reducing the allowable weight discrepancy following data reviews and remeasurements, aligning with modern weighing methods and equipment. In response to recent examples, Rule 17.6 now specifies that internal ballast must be securely fastened or bonded in place, as defined by the ERS, to ensure proper and safe positioning.

These updates reaffirm the IRC's commitment to fair competition and consistent standards in international racing. For further details, visit the IRC website: https://ircrating.org/irc-rule/.

END

Notes to Editors

Media Contact:
Jenny Howells
RORC Technical Manager
+44 (0) 1590 677030
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IRC is a World Sailing recognised rating system and the principal yacht measurement system for the rating of racing yachts worldwide. The IRC rating rule is administered jointly by the RORC Rating Office in Lymington, UK and Centre de Calcul IRC, UNCL Pôle Course du YCF.

The RORC Rating Office is the technical hub of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and recognised globally as a centre of excellence for measurement.

IRC Website: https://ircrating.org
Social Media: @IRCrating

The IRC website contains IRC Technical information, Rules & Definitions, Measurement guidelines, Worldwide Rule Authorities and advice for Race Organisers.

IRC is used for a huge number of local and international races and regattas all over the world including the offshore classics and other major events. More details and an introduction to IRC can be found here:
https://ircrating.org/irc-certificate/what-is-irc/

ISORA Statement

STATEMENT - Safety and Responsibility Protocols

ISORA held its AGM on Saturday 2^nd November 2024.

In opening the meeting Stephen Tudor tendered his resignation from the role of Honorary Secretary of ISORA. A role that he thoroughly enjoyed since 2010.

In that time a small team of dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to promote offshore racing in the Irish Sea. The fleets grow, and by the introduction of technologies ISORA kept ahead of the game in providing fair and competitive racing.

In recent years, and more so in 2024, the sailing calendar has become even more congested with competitors making last minute decisions to compete. Crew exhaustion being the most quoted reason not to sail. This crowded calendar has resulted in reluctance to see races postponed or cancelled.

We have carefully read the ‘Marine Casualty Investigation Board’s’ (MCIB) report into a marine casualty involving the sailing yacht Jelly Baby in Cork Harbour in October 2021.

The report findings concludes that the Organising Authority can’t delegate all responsibilities to the Skippers (the Risk Statement) and it does place a higher duty of care on the Race Management Committee than what was appreciated previously. Although, some, including ISORA Officers, argued that this duty of care was always there.

We believe that the obligation to keep crews safe was always taken seriously and was always considered before all ISORA races. We always assessed the ability of the fleet to cope with the conditions expected in the race. This assessment of risk always considered the abilities of the least experienced boat, and crew, in the fleet.

It is now, however, very clear that in the event of an incident, or accident, during an ISORA race the crew would be scrutinised. The skipper would, of course, be held responsible for the safety of the crew and boat, the Race Management Committee would be challenged for putting the fleet in a position of danger, the Organising Authority would be questioned on its involvement and its role in ensuring compliance with World Sailing Offshore Rules, and the Governing Bodies would be responsible if all guidelines and rules were not followed by the affiliated body. Everybody is in the firing line!

In August this year this assessment of risk resulted in a race being postponed. The risk was clear and undeniable, and most accepted the decision without hesitation.

We are not prepared to be placed in a position of unreasonable risk. But more than that, we do not want to carry the burden of guilt for the rest of our lives on the loss of a friend, competitor or sailor.

The Hon Sec stressed to those attending the AGM that the role of race management in organising offshore racing has changed. We are responsible.

Chairman requested that the Hon Sec resignation is withdrawn subject to a thorough review of all safety and responsibility protocols. The resignation was withdrawn on this basis.

We are reaching out to our governing body for guidance, and for protocols.

The ISORA officers require clear guidance and a workable format for managing and the mitigating the risk. This will involve a significant amount of effort from all parties involved, and we are prepared to contribute positively to this work.

The work involved include, but by no way limited to, the following:

• Reinforcing the ‘Risk Statement’
• Strengthening our ‘Race Risk Assessment’,
• ‘Protocols’ on when races should not be run,
• Ensuring compliance with World Sailing Offshore Guidance.

As a starting point we urge all skippers to consider using the Skipper Briefing Template which has been on the ISORA web site for many seasons.

We do wish to see the continuance of Offshore Racing in the Irish Sea, but this must be in a safe and sustainable manner, and for this to succeed we must all play our part.

Stephen Tudor MRICS FNAEA MARLA

Hon Sec ISORA

Jelly Baby Report

‘Marine Casualty Investigation Board’s’ (MCIB) report into a marine casualty involving the sailing yacht Jelly Baby in Cork Harbour in October 2021

The Jelly Baby Report