Royal Ocean Racing Club Commodore Terry Robinson introduced the launch of the new IRM handicap rule at the Royal Southern Yacht Club today

The second phase of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s plans to introduce a two level handicap system came one step closer today when Commodore Terry Robinson was joined by John Warren and Mike Urwin from Seahorse Rating Ltd. to unveil the basis of the eagerly awaited IRM handicapping system which will be published in its final form in just one month’s time.

In explaining the background to the new rule John Warren pointed out that this ‘is not a rule for all boats, nor would we like to call it a Grand Prix rule. Instead this system accepts that any rule can be type forming, so we have endeavoured to produce a rule that specifically sets out to encourage the types of boats that people like to sail.’

IRM has been developed as the partner to the CHS replacement IRC and has already received the support of major event organisers for next year and beyond. It will also be the rule under which the Commodores’ Cup will be run along with classes in Cowes, Cork and the popular Hamble Spring series. Such widespread support must surely signify the end of IMS in the UK.