Australian Sailing has been hosting meetings of the Owners’ Working Group periodically to discuss issues which are of interest and link to keelboat owners in Australia.

The Owners Working Group met in early March and spoke about the importance of measurer training as it links directly to the integrity of results. Equally so was the importance of clubs’ use of a technical committee to conduct equipment inspection and measurement checks. Harmonisation between the IRC and ORC ratings rules was also acknowledged as important, noting the commitments expressed by both organisations.

Other issues being considered included the secondary IRC certificate which does not permit a different displacement for the given yacht. This is subject to ongoing conversation between RORC and Australian Sailing and may result in a submission to the 2023 IRC Congress.

The Owners Working Group expressed its support of the Australian Yachting Championship and agreed that the Port Lincoln Yacht Club and its people did an excellent job as part of the Lincoln Week Regatta in early 2023. The next edition of the Australian Yachting Championship is in conjunction with SailFest in Newcastle in April 2024.

The overlap between the Owners Working Group and the Safety Committee is important and is in place by Australian Sailing directors and management being fully engaged in each. This ensures that issues of mutual interest are communicated.

For information about IRC and ORC ratings click here.
The background to the Owners’ Working Group can be read here.

By Glen Stanaway