Cruising Club of America Supports Offshore Racing Rule

NEWPORT, R.I. - Nov. 15, 2016 - PRLog -- The Offshore Racing Association (ORA), owner of the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR), is pleased to announce that the Cruising Club of America (CCA) has approved a significant grant for the continued support of the ORR.

"Since the founding of the CCA in 1922, there has been an inherent interest in the development and maintenance of handicapping systems," explained CCA Commodore James Binch of New Canaan, CT. "Beginning in 1926, and forming what is now called the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee in partnership with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, there has been a need for the CCA to be intimately involved with small yacht handicapping and give it support."

ORA Executive Director, Bjorn Johnson, is grateful to be working in partnership with the CCA for the continued improvement of the ORR handicap system. "This generous grant will enable us to not only continue research, but also implement cutting edge technology so that ORR can maintain its status as the best Velocity Prediction Program available for sailors worldwide," said Johnson. "ORA Technical Director, Jim Teeters, is working with his team to improve ORR for 2017 and into the future, making the best rule even better."

With its multiple features, ORR provides custom help for event organizing authorities, course configuration adjustments, and is continually evolving for the betterment of sailing. With over 1000 certificates produced in 2016, ORR is the fastest-growing rating system in North America. The ORR is used in classic inshore and offshore races, including: Newport Bermuda Race, Transpacific Yacht Club Races, Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, Bayview Mackinac Race, Pacific Cup, Vallarta Race, Rolex Big Boat Series, SoCal 300, California Offshore Race Week, Ugotta Regatta, Marion Bermuda Race, Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race and many other races of importance. For more information about ORR, visit the ORR website.

About the Cruising Club of America

The Cruising Club of America (CCA) is rapidly approaching its second century of championing efforts to improve seamanship, the design of seaworthy yachts, safe cruising and racing techniques, and ocean-wide environmental responsibility. The CCA is distinctive in its continuing efforts to promote "the adventurous use of the seas." A high bar of competency is set for inclusion in this influential organization, including passage making experience, proven offshore cruising and racing skills, leadership, and demonstrated congeniality. The CCA's 1300 international members volunteer their collective efforts to support the best practices in boating at eleven stations throughout the U.S.A., Canada and Bermuda. In conjunction with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the CCA organizes the Newport Bermuda Race, North America's premier offshore ocean race held every two years and a real world proving ground for its safety and seamanship recommendations. For more information and resources, visit the CCA website.

About the Offshore Racing Association

Formed in 2005, the Offshore Racing Association (ORA) is a not-for-profit membership organization working as a liaison between sailboat owners, rating rule administrators, US Sailing, yacht clubs, sailing organizations and organizing authorities for offshore and round-the-buoys events. The ORA, recognized internationally as one of the premier rule developers, is dedicated to improving current rating rules – both in their content and administrative processes – while making provisions for new high-performance boats to compete in more events. The ORA provides promotion and development of objective, science-based rating systems for fair handicapping of offshore-capable racing yachts, and guides the management of these systems at all levels, serving not only as advocate for the concerns of competing sailors but also as evaluator of technical input. For more information, please visit the ORA website.