US-IRC owners group formed

RORC's rating system pushes ahead

2007 finds IRC firmly established in the United States with almost all of the major big boat events offering IRC. Two major season championships, the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy, and the Gulf Stream Series are sailed under IRC. The 2007 Rolex IRC National Championship will be an international event. IRC is second only to PHRF in the number of events and boats racing. It is the only international rule in use in North America. 

Now, it is time to involve American IRC Owners in the direct control of US-IRC. With that in mind, the US-IRC Owners Association has been formed. The most important stakeholders in the IRC initiative in the United States are the owners of offshore sailboats who compete under the IRC Rule. Ultimately, it is the willingness of owners to attend events and compete in major series that will determine the success or failure of our efforts. In fact the yacht clubs and event organizers that have supported IRC have done so only for the benefit of their members and competitors. 

Three yacht clubs contributed the majority of the initial financial support and leadership for US-IRC. They are the New York Yacht Club, the Storm Trysail Club, and St Francis Yacht Club. A dozen other clubs and sailing organizations provided financial assistance, along with the Royal Ocean Racing Club: they deserve our recognition and thanks. Without the three principle clubs, IRC would not have had a successful launch in the USA. In 2007 Rolex Watch USA became the Supporting Partner of US-IRC. Rolex joins representatives of New York, Stormtrysail, and St. Francis on the Board of Directors of US-IRC. Their financial support will help US-IRC continue to promote and support offshore sailing in America.

Members of US-IRC Owners Committee are:

John Brim (New York)
David Elwell (Newport, RI)
Ed Freitag (Chesapeake Bay)
George Hinman (New York)
Larry Huntington (New York)
Richard Kasner (Massachusetts)
Phil Lyon (Great Lakes)
Jim Miller (Florida)
John Siegel (San Francisco)
Mort Wientraub (New York)
Paul Zabetakis (Newport, RI)

RIchard du Moulin (New York), Chairman

Technical Advisory Committee:

Steve Benjamin (sailmaker)
Tripp Estabrook (marine systems)
Luiz Kahl (information technology)
Mark Mills (designer)
Butch Ulmer (sailmaker)

Barry Carroll (builder/consultant), Chairman

For more information contac:
John Mendez at  info@us-irc.org