Sail-World.com : ORCi Rating in 2010 – a Fresh Option for Racing Yachts
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ORCi Rating in 2010 – a Fresh Option for Racing Yachts |
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Yachting Australia
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The ORCi rating system has become increasingly popular in Australia over the last few years. This was recognised by the inclusion of an ORCi division in the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. This trend is set to continue in 2010 with the CYCA's announcement that it will include an ORCi division in the 2010/11 Bluewater Pointscore.
Yachting Australia acknowledges that many boat owners are satisfied with competing under the IRC Rating system only. However, there is a strong interest in ORCi as an alternative or concurrent rating system to allow owners to compete on a different platform.
The ORCi rating system allows a yacht and its crew to measure performance by taking into account all aspects of the yacht's design and configuration. In turn this data enables boat owners to anticipate optimum performance levels of the boat in varying race conditions.
The new Cape Byron Series of the Bluewater Pointscore will commence with the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race on 31 July 2010, providing ample time for boat owners wanting to enter the ORCi division to obtain a rating certificate.
Boat owners intending to compete in the series and any other races with an ORCi division, should contact Yachting Australia for assistance in obtaining an ORCi Rating Certificate.
For those who have already competed under ORCi or have obtained the full ORCi rating certificate for the purpose of demonstrating stability, it is important to declare any modifications or changes that have been made to the yacht since and have them checked by a qualified measurer to ensure that the certificate is up to date.
For owners who have not been rated for ORCi in the past, obtaining a certificate requires similar measurement of the boat and sails as are required for an IRC certificate.
In many cases there are existing ORCi hull measurement files for a particular yacht, its sistership or its class either in the YA or ORC master database that can assist with obtaining an ORCi rating certificate.
If a boat has not been previously rated, it is important to contact Yachting Australia or a local ORC measurer for assistance with the rating process. For known one design yachts such as Sydney 38's or Farr 40's, it is likely that there will be useful data already available on record. Many production boats from well known yacht designers such as Beneteau and Cookson or yachts designed to specific class rules such as TP52s, usually also have hull data available.
If there are relevant hull measurements in the system, it is only necessary to check the measured data used is correct and make any changes required. This could be as simple as updating ownership or sail number details, entering new sail or rig measurements or checking the freeboards. Occasionally a new incline test may be required where the existing data is out of date.
If a yacht has never been measured, or is not a known design, there are still options available to access relevant data. The ORC have recently allowed the use of designer data to produce 3D hull files for boats. This requires the cooperation of the boat's designer to provide comprehensive data and measurements in an acceptable format to Yachting Australia and the ORC's Chief Measurer. A measurer will also be required to verify that the design data is correct for the boat by running a few simple measurements. Rig, sail, incline and other relevant data will also be required to obtain an ORCi rating.
In some rare cases, full out of water measurement activities will be required to obtain adequate hull data for the certificate. In these cases, a measurer, with the assistance of Yachting Australia, will use laser measuring equipment to capture a 3D model of the boat's hull.
Yachting Australia produces ORCi certificates internally through the Australian ORCi database and rating system software. Therefore turnaround time for producing certificates is quite minimal once the measurement and data collection process is complete. However, longer waiting times can apply in peak periods.
Boat owners who would like to compete under ORCi, or who want to learn more can contact Glen Stanaway at Yachting Australia by phoning 02 8424 7408 or emailing glen.stanaway@yachting.org.au
CYCA Announcement on ORCi
http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/CYCA-announces-ORCi-Division-for-the-prestigious-Blue-Water-Pointscore/68291
YA Information on ORCi
http://www.yachting.org.au/default.asp?MenuID=Sports%5FServices%2F22739%2F0%2F%2COffshore%5FRacing%2F45%2F0%2F%2COffshore%5FHandicap%5FRules%2F10369%2F0%2F0%2CORC%2F10391%2F4375%2F0
ORCi
http://www.orc.org/
Measurement Rules
http://www.orc.org/rules/IMS%202010.pdf
Rating Rules
http://www.orc.org/rules/ORC%20Rating%20Rules%202010%20-%20v1.01.pdf
by Yachting Australia Share
1:14 AM Tue 1 Jun 2010 GMT
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