Offshore Racing Association Extends Partnership with US Sailing

Offshore Racing Association Extends Partnership with US Sailing

Offshore Racing Association, US Sailing to Improve Centralized ORR and HPR Certificate Processing

The Offshore Racing Association (ORA), owner of the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) and High Performance Rule (HPR), is announcing a new agreement with US Sailing’s Offshore Office that will bring enhancements, and improved support and service for offshore racers.

To deliver these improvements, ORA has extended its partnership with US Sailing, incorporating a new centralized communications and customer service operation. “US Sailing’s Offshore Office, with its experience in certificate processing and boat data management for different handicap systems, is a perfect fit with ORA,” said Bjorn Johnson, Executive Director of ORA.  “Add to this the technology upgrades and process redesign US Sailing is implementing, and we are confident sailors and race organizers using the ORR and HPR rules will experience significant benefits and improved racing.”

Beginning in 2016, boat owners will no longer coordinate with four parties separately as they navigate through the boat certification process. US Sailing will be the interface with boat owners, managing the overall certificate issuance process, and taking on responsible for coordinating activities amongst the key parties - boat measurers, certificate processors, OA’s and owners. 

“We are excited to renew our agreement with ORA, and continue our long standing commitment to handicap racing, and the ORR and HPR rules,” said Jack Gierhart, Executive Director of US Sailing. “For handicap racers and race organizers alike, a central resource that simplifies and supports all facets of the handicapping process for the rules used in the U.S. is a big benefit. We look forward to working with the ORA and our other partners to make it easier for more sailors to get to the starting line."

ORA and US Sailing will work together to apply these practices to create the best experience possible for ORR and HPR customers. ORA’s Technical Director, Jim Teeters, is working with his team to complete a new and improved ORR rule for 2016. US Sailing will interface with the new rule to make the necessary improvements. For more information on ratings and certificate issuance, visit http://www.ussailing.org/racing/offshore-big-boats/.