It finally happened! We decided on a rating system for this coming summer in Wednesday Night Racing.
As a starting point, we will use ORR-Ez. You can read about it and get certificates here:
offshoreracingrule.org/homepage/orrez
If you don't have a certificate, we can work around that for this summer. It would be easiest for you to apply for a certificate, but we can also use a sistership or a similar boat for a rating. One design classes probably already have a rating. We want to be inclusive and allow people to participate without a big commitment, but serious racers should consider getting a certificate.
Why ORR-Ez?
Good question. First, we think it's less expensive in the long run. Other systems can add up expenses quickly. Second, there are more certificates available with non-spinnaker ratings. We still want an option for non-spin, so we need a way for people to get non-spin ratings without going through an extra hassle. Third, other systems seem to favor racing boats. We have many boats that fall into the "classic" category, and we want a rating system that produces fair results with all types of boats.
Can I use my sails?
No one out there has a sail or other equipment outside the rules of ORR-Ez. When you apply for a certificate, they ask you about all your equipment and any modifications made to the boat. This all goes into the final rating, as seen in other rating systems. Your particular setup is fine as long as you declare it for your certificate. You can read about all the rules here:
offshoreracingrule.org/orr-ez/orr-ez-rulebook
It's a change, and that can be hard!
Change can be challenging, but we think this approach is better for Wednesday Night Sailing in the long run. We will need to work through the rough edges as we transition. Remember - the goal is to create a format for racing that is fair to everyone. We're on your side and are trying to do just that. Take a few deep breaths, and we can get through this.
