The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is calling for sailors of IRC-rated boats to take on an Easter Challenge.

It is the first event of the year in the RORC racing calendar and it will be taking place over
the Easter Bank Holiday, 29 to 31 March.

In addition to offering a unique training ground for owners and
crews, the RORC Easter Challenge is the first Solent regatta in 2013 where
owners who only compete occasionally can race under IRC at a reduced
cost.

The Challenge offers on-the-water coaching, comprising
immediate and hands-on advice from coaches and sail makers to climb aboard
during racing at the request of crews wanting some tuition. 

Each day’s racing is followed by expert post-race video debriefs in
the Events Centre in Cowes Yacht Haven by coaching legend Jim Saltonstall,
supported by past Olympian Barry Dunning and America’s Cup coach, RORC’s CEO
Eddie Warden Owen.

There
will be a separate race course for J80’s and Class 4 IRC, also supported by
coaches and sail makers.

British owners will be able to enter this event with the new
Spinlock IRC Limited Validity (LV) TCC which is valid for the full three days
of the regatta. 

The
Spinlock IRC LV TCC has been launched for 2013 by the Rating
Office, the technical centre of the RORC in Lymington. It is aimed at
British owners who only plan to enter one or two IRC events a year, or who
would like to compete in an IRC event for the first time without committing to
a full certificate.

Spinlock
IRC LV TCCs are issued by the Rating Office and are compatible with full
Spinlock IRC ratings. However, the LV TCC application cost for a 33ft boat is
just £30 for a 3-day event such as the RORC Easter Challenge, a saving of 70%
on the fee for a full IRC certificate.

A
growing list of regattas around the UK will accept LV TCCs during 2013, in
regions ranging from Cornwall to Scotland and including many of the Spinlock
IRC Regional Championships.

The RORC Rating Office website offers advice for owners contemplating their
rating options and clubs wishing to increase participation, and it also
provides details of all approved events.

Entries close for the RORC Easter Challenge
on 14 March, and interested owners can click here to find out more.