The 2009 season is becoming a distant memory and we are now very close to the start of the 2010 season. I was very encouraged by the response to the new system of allocating race officers during last season and the same system is being followed this year. I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has agreed to do a race officer duty this year.
The main change for 2010 is the way in which the Championships are set up. We will have an Inshore Championship and an Offshore Championship this year, which will allow different class splits in the two events and, I hope, lead to fewer abandoned races in the Offshore Championship. We are also introducing a two-handed class in the Offshore Championship as this is proving a very popular class elsewhere in the UK. The classes for 2010 have changed banding slightly and if your boat has a low handicap, but no IRC rating, you can race in class 2 with a CYCA handicap.
For the Inshore Championship, yachts will race in the following classes:
Class 1 IRC ratings 1.010 and above
Class 2 IRC ratings 1.009 and below
CYCA 11 - 14.75
CYCA 0 - 10.75 only if the yacht holds no IRC Certificate
Class 3 CYCA handicaps 15 and over
Class 4 CYCA handicaps Restricted Sail Class
For the Offshore Championship, yachts will race in the following classes:
Class 1 IRC rated yachts
Class 2 CYCA handicaps 11 and over
CYCA handicaps 0 - 10.75 only if the yacht holds no IRC Certificate
Restricted Sail Yachts
Two Handed Yachts (If a yacht intends to race restricted sail or two handed, the Club office must be notified in writing no less than 48 hours before the start.)
The racing programme for this year has a familiar look about it and the essential white card was sent out at the end of last year to allow you all to start planning your season over the winter. There is no Pursuit Race to Colintraive this year to allow for the Centenary Sail Past.
Once again, we have representatives to encourage boats in each handicap band to take part in races and musters and to receive ideas and comments from competitors. Their names and contact details are on the website and in the Year Book.
It would be great to see as many of you as possible on the water this year. If you think that you are short of crew, don't let this stop you taking part in the Club's races, especially as there is now a two handed option. Come and have a go. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please do contact me on racing@clyde.org
Morag Machin
Racing Secretary