ISORA News Items all in date order.
There were 44 competing boats in the 2024 ISORA Campionships (Offshore and in the two Coastal Series in Wales and Ireland). ISORA ran a total of 16 races including the 7 Offshore Races.
However, due to declining numbers of boats taking part in the coastal and offshore races, I am proposing to review our race schedule.
I am also proposing to review our race management system, particularly how we deal with bad weather and race starts etc.
I would like feedback from all those who are active in ISORA and, more importantly, those who were active in ISORA.
This will direct ISORA for 2025 and the future.
Feedback can be by the WhatsApp groups or directly to me by text 00353872545037 or email
Peter Ryan ISORA Chairman
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
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/
STATEMENT - Safety and Responsibility Protocols
ISORA held its AGM on Saturday 2nd 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:
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
‘Marine Casualty Investigation Board’s’ (MCIB) report into a marine casualty involving the sailing yacht Jelly Baby in Cork Harbour in October 2021
Follow the above link for all Races in Ireland and UK
The results will be published shortly after the race has finished - just follow the link to the results page .............
Class O Champion is Mojito
Class 1 Champion is Coquine
Class 2 Champion is Ruth
The Winner of the Welsh Coastal Series Sponsored by Plas Heli is Jackknife
The Winner of the Irish Coastal Series Sponsored by Viking Marine is Indian
The Winner of the Team Trophy is Pwllheli Sailing Club
This article fropm Volvo Cork Week:
Entries are continuing to flow in for the next edition of Volvo Cork Week which will take place from Monday 15th to Friday 19th July 2024. Since the inaugural event in 1978, this biennial regatta has always attracted a diverse fleet and a large number of international entries.
The warm Irish welcome, competitive racing, and excellent onshore entertainment provided to all Cork Week competitors has seen yachts return, year after year.
Many of the larger keelboats from the east coast of Ireland, as well as Wales and Scotland are expected to arrive in good time for the start of the event, having completed “Kingstown to Queenstown” ISORA race from Dun Laoghaire to Cobh in Cork Harbour). This race was first held in the year 1860 and the next edition will start in Dun Laoghaire ISORA on 12th July 2024.
It is with deep sadness we mark the passing of former Club Commodore and President, Plas Heli founder Director and Round the World Yachts man, Richard Tudor.
Richard worked tirelessly to help establish the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Event Centre and remained an active volunteer board member of Plas Heli, the community enterprise which runs it.
Mark H Thompson, commodore of Pwllheli Sailing Club, said Richard was a key figure in the club’s history. Expressing "deepest condolences", he said: "Richard, who has sailed around the world and is a former commodore of the club and an active member of the committee, had such an incredible impact on all our lives.”
DRAFT - 2024 Musto ISORA Offshore Race Schedule
Subject to confirmation on some destination ports.
Dates of ISORAcoastal races to be confirmed in Ireland and Wales.
Chairman's Report
Officers for 2024
Following the international IRC annual Congress meeting in October, the 2024 IRC rule text is now published on the IRC website and includes changes that reflect IRC's desire to listen to what sailors want, and respond to changing trends not only in technical development but also racing practices.
Sails produce the driving force for any racing boat and as such are always at the forefront of design development and the subject of discussions within the IRC Technical Committee and IRC Congress. This year is no exception, and a number of rule changes relate to the rating and setting of sails. As already well-publicised from 2024 the total number of headsails carried will be rated, excluding up to two OSR safety sails, to reflect the speed and flexibility advantages gained from carrying multiple headsails (rule 21.7.1). IRC Notice 2023-01 has recently been updated with further information to help answer owners' and sail designers' questions and this can be found on the IRC website (ircrating.org). At the same time, the minimum half-width ratio for IRC-defined flying headsails has been reduced from 62.5% to 60% to open up the design options for this useful sail. The IRC Technical Committee has also taken the opportunity to simplify the rules surrounding single furling headsails, without removing the limitations on eligibility which are necessary to avoid abuse of this rule (21.8); and regarding the setting of headsails, in particular spinnaker or genoa staysails, IRC now clarifies where a headsail may be tacked (rule 21.3).
In response to requests from event organisers and measurers, for Endorsed IRC certificates any sails certified (measured) after 31st December 2023 will require a measurement sticker or stamp showing the measured data. Sail stamps serve as a visual confirmation that a sail has been properly measured and complies with the rating certificate, and aid equipment inspection at events when checking sails.
2024 IRC Rule text and more information about rule changes: IRC Rule, Notices & Policies - IRC Rating
Full IRC Congress 2023 Minutes and other associated documents: International IRC Congress Information - IRC Rating
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