Boats can apply for Standard IRC certificates, valid from June 2024, in a significant change of policy by Australian Sailing.

The IRC rating rule offers either Endorsed or Standard certificates. When IRC was first introduced to Australia in the early 2000s, then Yachting Australia took a position that lasted over two decades to only issue Endorsed certificates.

Endorsed certificates rely on the data being measured or verified by an Australian Sailing approved measurer, whilst the latter permits owner declared data. In both cases the data is rigorously sense-checked by the Rating Authority with its experienced technical team and extensive database, which includes standard hull data for hundreds of production designs.

In response to an approach from the CYCA and after significant public consultation, Australian Sailing decided to begin issuing Standard IRC certificates from 1 June 2024 in the interests of increasing participation in IRC racing. This will remove some of the barriers in the process such as preparing the boat for weighing and measuring.

• IRC Endorsed and Standard certificates are fully compatible and may race alongside each other in events where an Endorsed certificate is not required.
• Organising authorities will specify in the notice of race for their event if boats must hold an Endorsed certificate; if not then either Standard or Endorsed certificates are acceptable.
• Race committees can check on the IRC website or see on the certificate whether it is Endorsed or Standard.
• A technical committee can conduct event measurement or equipment inspection if need be.
• Sailors can see a boat’s certificate status and the data used for its rating by looking on the IRC website. 

The Rating Authority (RORC) are offering a 25% discount for IRC standard certificates in Australia from 1 June 2024 to boats that are either new to IRC or last rated >7 years ago. This is being passed on directly to owners by Australian Sailing. 
 
Click here for race management advice. 
Australian Sailing's ratings hub is here. 
For all things IRC, click here.
 
By Chris Zonca