Royal Yacht Squadron - Heart Of World Yachting

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The Heart Of World Yachting for 200 Years

07.07.2015

The Heart Of World Yachting for 200 Years

The Royal Yacht Squadron - Heart Of Yachting for 200 Years

Founded in 1815, the Royal Yacht Squadron achieved its bicentenary in 2015.

To mark this occasion, the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) Cowes is hosting an invitational regatta to bring together clubs from around the globe who share their passion for sailing.

The 2015 RYS Bicentenary Regatta features racing for a broad mixture of sailing boats.

From majestic 130 foot J Class boats to modern 23 foot J/70 speedsters, the RYS Bicentennary Regatta 2015 is a celebration of yacht racing for 200 years.

Traditional yacht designers set the standards for modern boat design. Over the years boat owners have encouraged engineers and naval architects to develop materials and hull forms that are capable of performing at sea in all conditions.

J Class Racing

'J Class' has its roots in the oldest sporting race in the world - The America’s Cup. In 1929 Sir Thomas Lipton issued his fifth challenge to the Americans for the America’s Cup and commissioned the build of the first J Class Yacht, the 120 foot ‘Shamrock V’.

In answer to Lipton’s challenge the Americans designed four J Class yachts as possible defenders. ‘Enterprise’, ‘Whirlwind’, ‘Yankee’ and ‘Weetamoe’ were launched within a month of each other, signifying the start of a new era in design evolution.

Five stunning J Class yachts are aiming to take part in the RYS Bicentenary. This will be the first time this number of 'J's' have raced in the Solent for 80 years.

IRC Racing

Five days of racing are scheduled for the IRC classes, including a Race Around the Island. The IRC fleet will present a fantastic spectacle, with both vintage classics and modern cutting-edge grand prix race yachts.

Entries include the 120 foot Briand designed sloop ‘Bristolian’, mini-maxi ‘Jethou’ and many well known names in the performance IRC fleets. Alongside historic legends such as the 48 foot ‘Tomahawk’ built in 1938 and the 52 foot ‘Dorade’ built in 1929.

We wish all sailors a fair wind, challenging conditions and good sailing in our home waters of The Solent

Images: Copyright Paul Wyeth

The Royal Yacht Squadron - Distinguished Sailing Stories

RORC - The Royal Ocean Racing Club

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) was established in 1925, named Ocean Racing Club, as a result of a race to the Fastnet rock from Cowes and finishing in Plymouth.

The RORC is the principal organiser of offshore yacht races in the UK, including the Fastnet Race, the Admiral's Cup and the Commodores' Cup. RORC was founded to encourage long distance yacht racing and the design, building and navigation of sailing vessels in which speed and seaworthiness are combined.

IRC Fleet - Royal Yacht Squadron Regatta

Several yachts, including ‘Dorade’ herself, are racing across the Atlantic from Newport Rhode Island to take part in the regatta.

The 2015 event has been a magnet for the most immaculate and competitive classics in the world. From the 160 foot schooner ‘Eleonora’ to the two 8 metre yachts ‘Helen’ and ‘Enchantement’, born 1936 and 1923 respectively.

IRC Handicapping System & RORC

IRC is a system of handicapping sailboats and yachts for the purpose of racing.

It is managed by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in the United Kingdom through their dedicated Rating Office. Technically, IRC does not officially stand for anything. Originally, “IR” was an abbreviation for International Rule.

However, since the Rule at that stage was not recognized under International Rule (sailing), that name was not permitted.

So the Royal Ocean Racing Club simply decided to keep the initials as the name, and even after IRC received International Rule recognition, the name remained simply IRC.