Matthew Sheahan

A NEW SAILING RECORD PLATFORM BRINGS YACHT RACING INTO THE STRAVA ERA. WHO WOULDN’T WANT A GO?

There’s nothing quite like bragging about a trip. From hitting a top speed while surfing down a wave to reaching a destination in an unfeasibly short space of time, whether we admit to it or not, we all like breaking records. The popularity of smart watches, fitness monitors and apps like Strava and Nike Run Club means that modern technology has allowed us to monitor, quantify and compare our performances in everything from the number of steps we take in a day, to an evening cycle to the pub. Without realising it we have become obsessed with data, times and being faster or better than before.

The interesting thing is that the focus of this competition has shifted away from beating others, to beating ourselves. Where achieving a personal best was once the talk of marathon runners, now we all seem to have a PB of our own.

All of which makes a neat fit for a new sailing project that has just been announced: Ircrecords. As the name suggests, the idea is focussed on setting and breaking records – not, as is so often the case, for grand prix machines and professional crews (although they are not excluded) – but for everyone. At least everyone aboard a boat that holds a valid IRC certificate. Rather than simply concentrating on the outright record, Ircrecords uses the IRC handicapping system to use corrected times for the records. This means, for example, that a Contessa 32 could compete with a TP52 or a mini maxi in a record time for a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.

But why would you want to do this when there is a perfectly enjoyable race on the same course where over a 1,000 boats take part? The answer is that Ircrecords isn’t intended to replace existing racing, but to offer a new type of competition. You pick when you want to start, and even when to give up and have another go if things aren’t going to plan. You get to sail in your optimum conditions and you get to have the whole racecourse to yourself.

“Brian Thompson holds many offshore records and has often said that one of the biggest appeals of this type of sailing is that you only ever go when conditions are perfect,” explained Ircrecords founder Charles Darbyshire. “An Ircrecords entry provides a 14-day window for competitors to start their attempt.

This allows teams to target favourable weather and tidal conditions for their vessel. Unlike a race start, these record attempts can be made at any stage and time to suit the competitor, giving greater flexibility to owners.”

The record attempts will be validated through the YB tracking system, which is widely used for offshore races and record attempts. Units can be rented for specific events or bought.

At present, the idea is to use existing racecourses in the northern hemisphere to provide a focus and allow records to be ratified easily and quickly. While the website currently shows examples of some suggested courses, the idea is to encourage participants to suggest others internationally.

The global pandemic has seen plenty of events cancelled or postponed, which has triggered a re-think for many when it comes to racing. The idea certainly struck a chord with me as I believe it provides an opportunity to get more out of our sailing while squeezing more of the bits we like into the increasingly limited amount of time we seem to have. In my other favourite sport, cross country gliding, we have had a national ladder for many years where we post our flights, times and traces to compete against others who flew on the same day, wherever they may have launched from and whatever the length of course that they flew. The British Gliding Association ladder has proved very popular, especially as the ability to filter results by, say, your own local club, means that we can compete against local mates on a daily basis as well as going for a national prize.

Most interesting of all is that the ladder has created an online community that shares and compares experiences while creating a different style of racing that complements the traditional championship model. I see no reason why that wouldn’t work in sailing and have thought so for some time.

But perhaps the most compelling argument for many will be that with record breaking you only get out of bed when there’s good reason to do so. What’s not to like? Find out more

at ircrecords.com

‘You only ever go when conditions are perfect’