ROLEX BIG BOAT SERIES NEWS


An Overview of ORC at RBBS

The ORC rating system is the world’s largest, issuing over 10,000 certificates for everything from sport boats to superyachts racing in over 40 countries around the world. Because the system is accurate, flexible, objective and scientific, many of the world’s major ocean races and regattas offer scoring using the ORC system, including such Rolex-sponsored events as the Sydney-Hobart, Middle Sea and Giraglia races. ORC also annually conducts a World Sailing-sanctioned World Championship that has attracted over 100 entries from dozens of countries (including the US) for the past several years, with overall champions crowned in three separate classes.

The system is measurement-based and uses the latest VPP science, with improvements made yearly with inputs from users as well as the world’s top yacht designers and technologists. ORC is also open-source, with all rules, policies and formulations published and available online.

Interest in ORC use is just starting to take root in the US, with it being offered at Key West Race Week and events at the New York Yacht Club, as well as in several local areas on the East and Gulf Coasts.

The management of ORC has its World Championships already booked out through 2018, but is extremely interested in organizing an event in the US; the last one was back in 2000.

Join Seahorse Magazine US Editor Dobbs Davis, StFYC Fleet Captain Seadon Wijsen, and StFYC member and ORC event veteran Andrew Holdsworth in the Starting Line Room on Saturday morning at 0900 for a presentation and discussion on ORC.