Australian Sailing will commence accepting applications for revalidation of IRC certificates from the 18th of May 2024 via the Ratings Hub. Owners or representatives of IRC rated boats should lodge their revalidation using this online application page. When submitting an application, the owner details and/or measurements related to the boat can be amended at no extra cost.

There have been a number of rule changes for the coming season the full list of changes can be viewed here. Important changes to note are:

• The number of headsails that the yacht intends to race with must be supplied with your application, this does not include storm or heavy weather jibs.
  • A Heavy Weather Jib definition, area in unreefed condition, of 13.5% height of the foretriangle squared, and readily available method, independent of a luff groove, to attach to the stay.
• The sails nominated are required to be measured and display a sticker indicating the measurements.
• Flying headsail definition has changed where the half width to foot ratio has been reduced to 60%.

Revalidations for boats with ORC ratings will open in June 2024 and will follow a similar process. Boat owners or representatives will be contacted directly by email inviting them to go to the webpage where they can reapply. Australian Sailing will also let boat owners know of any important ORC rule changes at the same time.

Australian Sailing's ratings hub is here. 
For all things IRC, click here.
 
By Chris Zonca