New software to analyse VPP design changes-ratings

by www.orc.org on 15 Jan 2008 The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) has announced the immediate availability of its new Velocity Prediction Program (VPP), the computational core the new ORC International and ORC Club rating systems. This Designer's Version of the rule can be downloaded directly from the ORC website, and will enable sailors and designers to process data through the VPP to analyze the effects of design changes to ratings.


Already 50 designers representing 18 countries from around the world have taken advantage of the opportunity to download, test, and comment on the beta version of the Windows-based software. Orders have come from Argentina, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the USA.

The format is completely new and is presented in a comprehensive yet easily accessible layout with a user-friendly interface and standard Windows functions. The ORC VPP Designer's version uses the same software used by Rating officers to issue certificates, but also gives a complete set of hydro and aerodynamic data, as defined by the ORC rules but also as conventionally calculated. It is accompanied by an IMS management agent that can perform the following operations: read the IMS measurements of yachts in their usual OFF and DAT formats, calculate the hydrostatic and measurement data, predict their speeds in seven wind speeds by 14 sailing conditions, and produce selected handicaps for calculating race results.

'This software is essential to anyone contemplating an ORC design project,' said Nicola Sironi, Chief Measurer for ORC. 'The new format will also make it much more accessible to a broader audience of sailors, sailmakers, designers, race managers, or anyone interested in evaluating the effects of design change on ORC ratings.'




A screen shots preview and subscription information is available on the ORC website at www.orc.org. The annual subscription to the 2008 ORC VPP is 500 EUR. Upon receipt of payment, subscribers will receive credentials to log on to the DVP Subscribers web page , from where the installation software package can be downloaded.


Since this is a beta version of the software and subject to comments and improvements, this page will also have regular updates available for a period of one year for both the VPP core and the editing and management interfaces.

*For more information on the ORC International Rule and information on downloading the Designer Version www.orc.org