Yet another new rule

Three US clubs to create new alternative to Americap

Three top US yacht clubs announced today their combined effort behind a mid-level handicap rule initiative for the three most visible and prestigious distance races in the US. The announcement by Rick Lillie, Chicago-Mackinac Race Chairman, Commodore Truman Casner of the Cruising Club of America (CCA) and Commodore Jerry Montgomery of the Transpacific Yacht Club (TPYC) marks the formation of the Offshore Racing Association (ORA).

Working in collaboration with US Sailing, ORA will focus on the management and development of AMERICAP II, the VPP and measurement-based rule currently used by those clubs. US Sailing will retain administrative functions such as certificate issuance while ORA will undertake promotional and developmental tasks providing an increased level of manpower not previously directed toward the rule. In developing the mid-level rule initiative, the ORA has reached out to include such experienced advisors as Olin Stephens and Stan Honey. Additionally, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC), co-organizers of the Newport-Bermuda Race with CCAare supportive of the initiative, as are the Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race organizers.

The Newport-Bermuda, Transpac Race and Chicago-Mackinac Races have been using VPP-based rules for some years now with the intent of providing the fairest method of handicapping available for their racing fleets which include a wide range of existing boats designed over the past several decades.

All three clubs have distinguished records in rule development. Truman Casner explains: “The CCA played a lead role in the creation of both the CCA and MHS/IMS rules. It is time for us to step up again and help with the next major offshore rule.”

Jerry Montgomery adds: “There is a strong need for a rational rule that meets the racing sailor's requirements of fair ratings in a variety of different races and does not give undue advantage to a boat that "fits the rule" versus one that does not.”

Rick Lillie: “AMERICAP II has provided tighter results for the varied conditions encountered in the Chicago-Mackinac Race. It successfully acknowledges that buoy race and distance race handicaps cannot always be the same.”

For those presently holding AMERICAP II certificates, improvements will be made but the fundamentals will remain the same. In response to requests from racers, 2005 certificates will show single number time-on-time and time-on-distance ratings for each of the standard course/wind mixes, allowing both simplified scoring and on-the-water estimates of fleet position. Wind tunnel and towing tank test data, mixed with analysis of race results, will guide another seven modifications to the VPP for 2005.

The Chicago-Mackinac and Marion-Bermuda Races will be run once again under AMERICAP II in 2005. In the meantime, ORA will develop the rule to be even more inclusive of diverse boat types and enhance its ability to handle closed course racing. Look for the new name Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) to replace AMERICAP II on certificates for 2006.

Feedback: Do they really need to create yet another handicap? Why don't they join the rest of the US in turning to IRC? Comments here