ORCi gains hold in Australia

New division to be included in the CYCA's Blue Water Pointscore

The CYCA has announced that an ORCi Division will be included in its Blue Water Pointscore 2010/2011 Series, starting with the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race on Saturday 31 July.

The Blue Water Pointscore consists of seven offshore races including the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Audi Sydney Offshore Newcastle Yacht Race with the champion being determined using IRC ratings.

The Tasman Performance Series is also run in parallel to the Blue Water Pointscore for those yachts sailing under a PHS handicap.

Rear Commodore and Chairman of the Sailing Committee Garry Linacre said that the decision to include an ORCi division in the Blue Water Pointscore was in response to the increasing number of yacht owners with a valid ORCi racing certificate. “The popularity of the ORCi division in last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, together with the increasing number of yachts owners with valid certificates, prompted the decision by the Sailing Committee to include an ORCi division in the Blue Water Pointscore.

“The ORCi Division of the Blue Water Pointscore will be known as the Cape Byron Series.

“The CYCA has always had a policy to ensure that yacht owners are provided with adequate information regarding popular rating systems, so that they can make an informed decision. ORCi divisions will be introduced as deemed necessary in other offshore races conducted by the CYCA,” Rear Commodore Linacre added.

Yachts competing in the ORCi division of the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2010 will be vying for the Charleston Trophy, which will be awarded to the overall winner of the division. The trophy has been donated by Charles Davies’ family and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.