In addition to adopting the Sound IRC class definitions, Western Long Island Sound Race Committees have been gracious to accept input from Sound IRC on course possibilities for 4-day regattas.  Specifically, Sound IRC has suggested a “government marks course” for one of 4 days.  The reason behind this is that the IRC rule rates boats on all points of sail, so mixing up windward/leeward legs with some reaching allows the rating to work more fairly across the range of boat designs over the course of a regatta.  A good discussion of this is on the IRC rating website, specifically in the Memo on Recommendations to Race Committees.   In our area, the typical “government marks course” is laid out by the Race Committee to take 4 or 5 hours for the slowest boats.  That often indicates a course in the 20-mile range, starting with an upwind leg.

 

For adopting the class definitions and making one of 4 days into a “government marks course” we’d like to thank our local Race Committees:

 

•American Yacht Club Spring and Fall Series: Glenn Morrison, Tinker Myles, Ian Dunn

•Larchmont Yacht Club Edlu Race and Race Week:  Jed Kelly, George Parthemos

•Manhasset Bay Yacht Club Fall Series: Commodore Sue Miller

•Seawanhaka Yacht Club Roosevelt Trophy: Commodore Bill Denslow

•Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race and Stamford Yacht Club’s Race to the Vineyard: Ray Redniss