Dublin and Cork boats will meet under ORC handicap for the first time at the 2025 Calves Week Regatta next month after the popular West Cork event amended its Notice of Race to introduce the rule alongside IRC and ECHO handicaps.
Calves Week Regatta are offering ORC results to all boats with certificates in Classes Zero and One for the event running from August 5th.
It is the first time an Irish regatta has specified the ORC rule in its Notice of Race, an official race document that provides essential information about the event.
It is expected that up to 10 or 15 boats will take advantage of the amendment, which will allow a mix of Cork and Dublin boats to compete under the rule for the first time.
Sean Norris, on behalf of the Calves Week Race Committee, says in the amendment, "Scoring under ORC using Triple Number All Purpose Scoring under Custom Scoring Option for USA will be offered to holders of ORC Handicap Certificates that are racing in Class 0 and 1 only.”
Insiders say there is also the possibility of Class Two boats racing under the rule, with some J70s being ORC certified.
Afloat reported in June that an Irish 'interest group' claimed it had run the 'first structured ORC offshore race in Ireland' following the 2025 Dun Laoghaire Dingle Race where almost half of the 40-boat fleet opted to have 'shadow results' calculated using the ORC rating for comparison purposes with the rival 'IRC' rule, the official handicap system used in the 280-mile race.
IRC is the main handicapping system used in Ireland and is administered by the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) and the Irish Sailing Association.
Calves Week Regatta takes place in Schull in early August, continuing the annual tradition in West Cork since the inception of the Schull Harbour Sailing Club in 1884.
