The Australian Sail Ratings office will close on the 22nd of December 2025 and open on the 5th of Jan 2026. With the busy summer sailing season getting into full swing, it’s time to make sure your boat’s rating certificate(s) or measurement certificate are all in order.

Class measurement certificates

Cut-off is 12th of December 2025 (Optimists must apply by 5 January 2026 to get their certificate before the 2026 Nationals)

IRC/ORC Certificates for Events over Christmas and January 2026

For all the events held in December 2025 and January 2026, to avoid having to pay expedited fees and guarantee you will receive your IRC certificate, the application needs to be lodged 15 working days prior to the required date.

This means any Sydney to Hobart Race certificate application must be with the rating office on or before the 21st of November 2025. The latest for expedited applications is the 5th of December 2025; this will incur a cost of double the standard fees. All Certificates for the Sydney to Hobart Race must be submitted by the 12th of December 2025 

For the Cock of the Bay the cut-off date is the 17th of December 2025. It is advised to have submitted ORC applications by the 3rd of December 2025 to ensure it can be processed in time.

Anyone competing in races and regattas over the New Year period will need to have all applications submitted by the relevant deadline. The table below summarises all the cut-off dates for the major races over the Christmas and New Year Period.

To make an ratings or measurement application go to the Ratings Hub of the Australian Sailing website.

Enjoy the racing over the Christmas/ New Year period and stay safe.

By Chris Zonca