US-IRC Revises 2007 Gulf Stream Series

by John Mendez, Executive Director, US-IRC on 18 Apr 2007 Group three and group four events in the 2007 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series have been combined into one group (Group 3) by a recent modification of the Notice of Series. The new Notice of Series is posted in the Gulf Stream Series area at www.us-irc.org. The revision combines Southern events and East Coast around-the-buoy events into one group making qualification for the series easier and less restrictive.

The original NoS required each competitor to compete in two Southern events in Group 3, and two East Coast around-the-buoy events in Group 4. The new NoS requires that competitors sail in three races in the new, combined Group 3 to qualify for the Gulf stream Series Trophy. In addition, US-IRC has decided to waive the entry fee and to score all IRC certified yachts that sail in qualifying classes and events for the series trophy. An up-to-date event result chart is posted in the Gulf Stream Series area at www.us-irc.org.

'US-IRC wants to recognize excellence in a broad range of sailing events from round-the-cans to both medium and long distance offshore racing,' said US-IRC Executive Director John Mendez. 'Based on recent comments from IRC boat owners, we felt that the division of Groups 3 and 4 was too restrictive. The new format dividing events into just three types of racing gives us diverse competition and opens entry to a broader range of boats.'

'US-IRC also decided to waive the fee and score all competitors,' Mendez added, 'because we want every boat that qualifies for the series to compete for the Gulf Series Trophy.'

The Gulf Stream Series is open to all yachts that hold an endorsed IRC
Certificate and are eligible to race in the events that comprise the Gulf
Stream Series.

All yachts race as individual entries sailing for the 'Gulf Stream Series Trophy', and are still encouraged to form two-boat teams representing nations, yacht clubs, or other yachting associations to compete for the 'Gulf Stream Series TEAM Trophy'. The series will be scored based upon the results of completed events as follows. Each yacht must race in, and comply with requirements for, all Groups.

GROUP (1) Medium Distance Races
Each competitor shall complete one race of the following races:
Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race OR the Storm Trysail Club Block Island
Race OR Stamford Yacht Club’s Vineyard Race.

GROUP (2) Long Distance Races
Each competitor shall complete one race of the following races:
Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race OR The Annapolis to Newport Race
OR The Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race

GROUP (3) Other Events
Each competitor shall complete three of the following series:
Acura Key West 2007 OR
Acura Miami Grand Prix 2007 OR
International Rolex Regatta, St Thomas OR
The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival OR
St Maarten Heineken Regatta OR
Stanford Antigua Sailing Week
Charleston Race Week OR
American Yacht Club’s Spring Series OR
New York Yacht Club’s 153rd Annual Regatta presented by Rolex OR
Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex OR
Storm Trysail Club IRC East Coast Championship