IRC announces single rule authority for South East Asia

IRC racing in South East Asia is well established, with popular regattas including Singapore Straits, Raja Muda and Phuket King's Cup attracting large and competitive fleets from around the region and further afield. There is a great deal of interchange between the IRC fleets, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, with many boats regularly travelling to regattas in other countries.

The RORC Rating Office, based in Lymington, UK, has been in discussion with these three Rule Authorities about making the administration of IRC certificates simpler and more efficient for owners and event organisers, enabling the highest level of consistent service as possible. From June 2014, the IRC administration in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia will be combined into a single Rule Authority – IRC SE Asia – to be managed by Simon James who has managed IRC Thailand for many years.

Simon James, IRC SE Asia (photo Guy Nowell)

James, a respected event organiser and race officer in Asia, thinks the new arrangements will make things clearer for everyone:

" With boats regularly moving between countries, owners and race organisers will benefit from better continuity and a consistent process for IRC rating certificates.One of our aims is to co-ordinate the regions resources to provide both weighing and measurement facilities in the
region."

IRC measurers in each country will be recognised by IRC SE Asia on the recommendation of the National Authority in each country, with ISAF International Measurers in the region automatically accepted. Principal SE Asia regattas are also being encouraged to invite measurers from the region to work alongside their own measurers where possible.

IRC SE Asia website http://irc-sea.com/