The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) is pleased to announce that its 2023 rules and VPP for the racing of Superyachts are now available at www.orc.org/superyacht.

This sophisticated system specifically designed for the vast array of boat types of over 30 meters in length that compete in Superyacht regattas around the world has been continually updated to recognize the unique features among these extraordinary yachts.

This process is managed by several members of the ORCsy technical team that specialize in measurement and on-site performance evaluation and scoring at Superyacht events, as well as managing inputs and suggestions from numerous parties in the Superyacht culture: Owners, Yacht Captain, Team and Program Managers, Yacht Designers, Sailmakers, Navigators, helmsmen and tacticians and the Super Yacht Racing Association (SYRA) Board.

There are several new features in the 2023 ORCsy VPP:

 
•   A new term in the Dynamic Allowance that is based on the upwind Sail Area/DSPL ratio and is dependent on True Wind speed. This helps reduce rating biases between performance-oriented and non-performance designs.

•   An increase in Tacking Allowance to give more allowance to low-powered yachts.

•   A further fine tuning of keel induced resistance has been performed for both shoal and deep draft fins.

•   A more accurate assessment of ketch rigs.

•   The allowance for powered systems used for hoisting and dropping sails has been revised for tacking, gybing and hoisting manoeuvres.

•   The use of lifting centerboards is now more accurately treated.

•   The effect of windage of the superstructure has been increased by 20% recognizing the greater wind resistance for those boats with large superstructures.

There are seven events on the 2023 SYRA calendar where the ORCsy will be used. These include the following:

- Antigua Super Yacht Challenge - 6-12 March

- St Barths Bucket Regatta - 16-19 March

- Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta - 6-10 June

- Palma Superyacht Cup - 21-24 June

- Safe Harbor Race Weekend - 11-12 August

- Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - 3-9 September

- Ibiza JoySail Regatta - 28 September-1 October

“We sincerely hope that this ORCsy VPP status update will help in understanding the endless amount of research, development, testing and work behind this system,” said Alessandro Nazareth, Vice Chairman of the ORC International Technical Committee (ITC) and leader of the ORC Superyacht team. “We are already working for 2024 VPP amendments together with the ITC on the following items, that we hope could be implemented after the 2023 season:

•   Leeway assessment

•   Short chord keels induced drag fine tuning

•   Headsail Set Flying aerodynamics

 
“We are also confident that this message will enhance the transparency of our system that is fundamental to ORC principles.”