IRC News roundup November 2021
  • IRC Congress meeting, minutes and rule changes
  • IRC Notice 2021/01 (cloth set below the boom)
  • IRC 2022 European Championship
  • IRCRecordsTM goes from strength to strength
  • IRC/ORC 2022 World Championship statement from the IRC Board
  • RORC Baltic Sea Race announced
  • A reminder of IRC certificate holder benefits
  • How to get a rating certificate for 2022
IRC Congress & changes for 2022
The 2021 annual IRC Congress was held at the RORC’s London clubhouse in mid-October, with overseas representatives joining by video call.

The Congress Minutes are on the IRC website, these include discussions on rule changes for 2022: https://ircrating.org/about/irc-congress/

IRC Notice 2021/01
Lazy sweepers
The IRC rating offices have seen a growing number of instances and enquiries about additional cloth set under the boom, known by various names including lazy sweeper, deck sweeper, mainsail skirt, watersail.  In response to this the IRC Technical Committee has issued IRC Notice 2021/02 which explains that this cloth is defined as a sail and explains how to measure the additional area so it can be accounted for in the rig factor.
2022 IRC European Championship
The 2022 IRC European Championship will be held in Breskens, Netherlands alongside the Breskens Sailing Weekend. The 7th edition of the IRC European Championship will take place over four days of racing in late August 2022. The championship is expected to attract a record fleet of highly competitive IRC rated boats vying for the overall win and class honours.
IRCRecords goes from strength to strength
Following the launch in late April 2021, IRCRecords™ has grown - seeing teams attempting courses across Europe, from the round Linosa course in Malta, the Cherbourg–Needles course to Solent courses such as Nab Tower and Round Isle of Wight.

IRCRecords™ has 20 available courses across Europe and Australia with additional courses coming online in 2022 including each major IRC region. Whilst the European racing season may be coming to a close, the often stormy autumnal weather provides a prime opportunity for corrected time record breaking!!

Read more at IRCRecords.com
IRC/ORC 2022 World Championships statement
The IRC Board, RORC and UNCL were shocked and disappointed to read the ORC/YCCS Notice of Race for an exclusive ORC World Championship in Porto Cervo, Italy, in June 2022 thereby cancelling the previously agreed joint IRC/ORC event.
New Baltic Sea offshore race
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and the Ocean Racing Alliance (ORA) are delighted to announce the inaugural RORC Baltic Sea Race starting on 21st July 2022, open to boats racing under IRC, MOCRA, Class40 and other class associations. The race is approximately 630 nautical miles, starting and finishing off Helsinki and incorporating the Swedish island of Gotland.
Benefits for IRC members
Holders of current valid full IRC certificates benefit from the following offers:

Seahorse Magazine free online issues and discounted subscriptions

RORC Membership discount

Tuff Luff discount from SeaSure
How do I get an IRC rating certificate for 2022?

IRC 2021 certificates will expire on 31st December 2021, except in those countries where validity is to 31st May 2022. Close to the relevant expiry date, certificate holders will be invited to renew their certificates for 2022, through their relevant IRC Rule Authority.

For boats not previously rated in IRC, a new application should be made through the relevant IRC Rule Authority.