In May 2024 Australian Sailing announced a significant change of policy: from June 2024 boats can apply for Standard IRC certificates, marking a significant departure from the longstanding requirement in Australia for Endorsed certificates. This change is aimed at lowering barriers to participation, such as boat weighing and measurement, and encouraging more sailors to engage in competitive racing at their sailing club.
Standard certificates have been available throughout the world since IRC’s beginning and both Endorsed and Standard certificate data will continue to be rigorously sense-checked by the Rating Authority. With its experienced technical team and an extensive database of standard hull data for many hundreds of production designs, the long standing integrity of the IRC rating system remains uncompromised.
Boats that are either new to IRC or last rated over 7 years ago will benefit from a 25% discount on the application fee for a Standard certificate, offered by RORC and passed on directly to owners by Australian Sailing.
The first boats to benefit under this policy change are EQUINOX a Sydney 36 CR last rated in 2009, and SAKURA a Swan 36 new to IRC. As IRC celebrates its 40th anniversary, we look forward to seeing more club fleets embrace IRC, fostering consistent and fair competition for all sailors.
Australian Sailing press release https://www.sailingresources.org.au/news/standard-irc-certificates-new-in-2024
CYCA club racing. Image (c) CYCA