The IR2000 Rule is produced by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and L’Union National pour la Course au Large (UNCL).  It is a development of the former Channel Handicap System (CHS) and it continues and expands upon the essential ingredients of that rule.

IR2000 has two parts, the IRC Rule, which is based upon owner-supplied measurements, and the IRM Rule, which requires boats to be independently measured.

The IRC and IRM Rules use different formulae but they each produce Time Correctors (TCC for IRC and TCM for IRM), which are calculated from a yacht’s dimensions, weight and sail plan etc.  Measurements and weights for the IRC Rule are owner submitted and can be taken from manufacturer’s data but measurements for IRM must be taken by an independent, RORC recognised measurer.

Owners may also obtain an Endorsed IRC Certificate by having their own measurements verified by a recognised measurer. Endorsed measurements can be of great benefit, since manufacturer’s data is not always accurate (e.g. design weights can be considerably less than a boats actual weight) and this can result in a boat being given tougher rating than it should really have. Some race organisers will only accept entries from yachts with Endorsed IRC Certificates and the COA recommends all owners and race organisers to adopt this part of the Rule.

The IR2000 system is administered by the Hong Kong Sailing Federation

• HKPN

• SBR