The RPAYC ran the 2025 NSW ORC State Championship and used the ORC’s powerful Polar Curve Scoring to account for how different yacht designs perform in different conditions. There were 15 boats entered, ranging from 9 metre performance boats which would plane to 13.5 metre production cruiser racers that sail in permanent displacement mode. The Polar Curve Scoring was used by so that different time allowances could be used in each race, depending on the weather conditions and the course configuration for that particular race. 

This worked for the entrants because the courses and conditions varied over the three days. The Polar Curve Scoring allowed for the differences in design, course and conditions, and uses the average wind over each leg of the race and calculates a rating based on each boat’s polars. 

This system is intended for short ocean point scores, racing ‘around the cans’ or day races on local waterways. The race committee collects the weather data when the boats are racing which is then used in the scoring. We observed that the system was relatively quick to implement, and results were available soon after the racing. Feedback from members of the race committee was that they were happy with the outcome. 

Was it a success? Yes. There were very few complaints from competitors, which is rare for a ratings or handicap event. All knew that the boats which were sailed well was reflected in the results; the design type was not favoured. Credit to Garry Gudmunson on his 1D35 Organised Chaos and David Davies on his BH 36 Local Hero for taking the wins in their respective division. 

The NSW ORC State Championship had boats rated under both ORC systems, the rigorous ORC International and the ‘less so’ ORC Club. This meant low-cost ORC Club ratings were available to entrants, and the organising authority could attract a higher number of participants from that ORC Club base. But equally so, the use of a technical committee gave competitors comfort that the boats racing under an ORC Club rating had been checked for accuracy, indeed, all boats were. 

Information about Polar Curve Scoring is here.
For the Australian Sailing Ratings Hub, click here. 

By Chris Zonca.