World Sailing Rethinks New 'Onerous' Keel Inspection Offshore Racing Rule

8th February 2022

If a World Sailing rethink goes ahead Category 3 offshore races such as the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race (above) would be exempted from the new out of water structural inspection rule.

If a World Sailing rethink goes ahead Category 3 offshore races such as the Dun Laoghaire Dingle race (above) would be exempted from the new out of water structural inspection rule Credit: Afloat

A World Sailing re-think is under consideration to exempt Category 3 offshore races from the new requirement for documented structural inspection.

Changes to the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) came into effect on January 1 2022, and mean an additional requirement for yachts taking part in races of Category 0 to Category 3 but now the new rule is itself set to be changed.

According to Afloat sources, the Special Regulations Subcommittee has heard 'significant concern' from several Member National Authorities regarding the application of the new OSR 3.02.2 keel inspections as being overly onerous for Category 3 racers.

The subcommittee has considered these concerns, deemed them valid, and voted to modify the new requirement for Category 3 racers only.

Offshore Racing is broadly divided into three groups, inshore (Category 3), coastal (Category 2), and offshore (Category 1).

In an Irish context, ISORAs, D2D and Kinsale's new Inistearaght Race would be exempted if the rule is changed but the situation would remain for June's Category 2 Round Ireland Race.

Afloat reported on the changes in December here and the subject of examining keel bolts was taken up by Afloat's Tom MacSweeney in 2019 here.

The outcome will be known next week.

Published in World Sailing, Dun Laoghaire Dingle, Offshore, Round Ireland, ISORA

Published in World Sailing

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World Sailing Information

World Sailing is the world governing body for the sport of sailing, officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Founded in 1907, World Sailing's vision is for a world in which millions more people fall in love with sailing; inspired by the unique relationship between sport, technology and the forces of nature; we all work to protect the waters of the world.

World Sailing is made up of 144 Member National Authorities, the national governing bodies for sailing around the world and 117 World Sailing Class Associations.