Sound IRC

New association formed to promote IRC racing on Long Island Sound

12 owners of IRC-rated boats have formed a new group called Sound IRC. The group is seeking to improve both the quality of IRC racing on Long Island Sound and also to increase participation.

Rich DuMoulin, Chairman of the National Owners Association, said "IRC is founded on the principle that it is an owners rule administered by professionals. With Sound IRC we are taking this to the local level where owners directly work with yacht clubs and race committees to make the racing more fun and attract more competitors."

For the 2009 racing season, Sound IRC has started coordinating among boat owners and sailors, the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound (YRALIS), Race Committees of members clubs of YRALIS and the national IRC authority (US-IRC) to achieve the above goals. We look forward to helping local owners obtain a Standard or Endorsed IRC certificate, establishing Classes for the approximately 125 local boats to foster close competition and camaraderie, and working with our local Race Committees to introduce IRC-friendly Courses to existing regattas.

Local IRC boats will be able to compete not only for YRALIS’s existing Trophies for IRC racing, the Caper and the Fales, but also for the new short series combining distance and around-the-buoys events, the Oak Cliff Cup. Consult YRALIS for more information on the many local IRC events.

“This local effort is a great idea and is exactly what we are hoping to see in all regions of the country, “ said John Brim, president of US-IRC

We are interested in feedback from Race Committees, boat owners and sailors, whether already racing under IRC or exploring how this rating system could work for them; please contact us with your thoughts at info@sound-irc.org