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ORC Organisation

What is ORC?

ORC is an internationally recognised, measurement-based rating system that enables fair competition between diverse boat designs.

It uses scientific, computer-modeled performance data—a Velocity Prediction Program (VPP)—to calculate accurate handicaps for both offshore and inshore, regardless of boat type or size.

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ORC Worldwide

The Offshore Racing Congress is a World Leader in Rating Technology, serving 45 countries in modern VPP-based handicap systems for offshore and inshore sailing, giving all boats an equal chance to win. It is the largest measurement-based rating rule system in the world.

The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) is a World Sailing-recognised international rating system responsible for the establishment and maintenance of rating and classification standards used to define offshore and inshore yacht racing handicap categories.

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What is ORC Ireland?

  • is a voluntary organisation.
  • is affiliated to, and registered with the Offshore Racing Congress as their representatives in Ireland.
  • have an ORC World Congress member.
  • have a National Rating Officer & Ratings Office, registered to issued ORC Certificates
        – Click here to see Irish ORC Certs.
  • has appointed accredited ORC Measurers.
  • as part of intensive evaluation, familiarisation and trials in 2025 (from June on), has generated 100+ Certs.
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ORC Facts

The fundamental principle #TheEqualChanceToWin – refers to how the ORC system can rate nearly every kind of boat in a scientific and unbiased manner to create fair ratings, thus giving all boats an equal chance to win on the race course.

  • ORC is the largest handicap rating system in the World
  • Used in over 45 countries
  • Official rating system for World Championships, including double-handed.
  • European Championships
  • Major offshore events
  • Fleets include one-designs, cruiser-racers, grand prix boats & club racers
  • Used by amateurs, club sailors, Corinthian teams & professionals

     

  • in 2025, ORC Rating Systems issued more than 14,000 certificates to nearly 9,700 boats across 45 countries