The Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) has announced significant updates to its ECHO system, aimed at improving competitive racing across various classes and abilities.
In response to identified shortcomings within the existing framework, ICRA has appointed Nigel Biggs as the new Handicaps Officer.
We have been aware of its [ECHO's] failings, so we have put considerable effort and time into addressing its shortcomings," ICRA's Dave Cullen told Afloat.
"ECHO enables results to be calculated for boats of all types and their crews, regardless of experience, so everyone can enjoy racing together", he explained.
"When used in its correct manner, a boat’s TCF (the Time Correction Factor which is used to calculate results – sometimes referred to as the boat’s “handicap”) is adjusted after each race to reflect its performance. Over a series, the ongoing adjustment of the TCFs helps create closer results within a fleet. We, however, have been aware of its failings, so we have put considerable effort and time into addressing its shortcomings." Cullen said.
ICRA has appointed Nigel Biggs as the new Handicaps Officer. Photo: Afloat
As a result of the review, 2025 ECHO Certificates will now reflect a boat’s previous performance, rather than reverting to the original Standard TCF, which will help improve fairness, the overriding objective of any handicap system.
During the course of the year, ICRA will be engaging with clubs across the country to discuss how further improvements can be made to ECHO in the future, improve the consistency of its application and help increase participation at all levels of the sport. ECHO queries to [email protected]
