Southern YC to host US-IRC seminar in New Orleans

by Talbot Wilson Media on 27 Feb 2008 The Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans will host a free IRC rating system seminar on Saturday, March 8th at 5:30PM. The seminar follows the New Orleans Yacht Club’s Mardi Gras Regatta and precedes Mexico Night, a party leading up to the 2008 Regata al Sol race from Pensacola to Isla Mujeres that starts May 14th for the Cruising Division and 15th for the Racing/IRC Division.

IRC will be introduced to Gulf coast sailors for the first time in the 2008 Regata al Sol. Yachts in the Racing division will be eligible to compete for the new Madden Randle Perpetual Trophy being awarded to the IRC rated yacht in the racing division with the best IRC corrected time.

The IRC rule is already very popular in Europe, Australia and many other countries. It is spreading fast across the United States. From the rule’s initial introduction in New England three years ago, it has quickly taken root in the Great Lakes, California, the mid-Atlantic and South Florida’s premier events. The seminar will introduce the Gulf Coast to the rule.
 
New US-IRC Executive Director Luiz Kahl and Barry Carroll, renowned boat builder and IRC technical expert, will be on hand to lead the seminar that will focus on issues such as:
* What is IRC?
* How are races scored?
* How do I get an IRC Handicap?
* How will my boat do under IRC?
Of course, there will be plenty of time for questions and answers.

Whether you plan to sail in the Mexico Race or not, you will want to hear all about the IRC as more races will be scored using IRC in the future. Those interested in the Mexico Race will want to stick around for the Mexico Race Party beginning at 7 with special guests Mr. & Mrs. Enrique Lima of Isla Mujeres ($30/person. Food, music & margaritas, reservations requested, call SYC 504-288-4200).

About US-IRC
The US-IRC Foundation, Inc. (www.us-irc.org) works in cooperation with US Sailing (www.ussailing.org) to support and develop the use of the IRC rule in the USA. US Sailing is the authorized body that issues IRC certificates under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) (www.rorcrating.com).

The US-IRC's mission is to promote and enhance inshore and offshore yacht racing throughout the country by expansion of the use of the rule. An IRC certificate is, in effect, an international passport for a yacht, enabling it to travel across national and international borders using the same certificate wherever it goes. The supporting partners for the US-IRC rule are Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc., New York Yacht Club, Storm Trysail Club and St. Francis Yacht Club.