Subject: ORC Press Release

Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 13:54

OFFSHORE RACING COUNCIL

Ariadne House, Town Quay

Southampton SO14 2AQ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

16 July 1999

ORC Acts on Racing Mast Design

Chief Measurer Nicola Sironi of the Offshore Racing Council has ruled on　the wing-shaped mast fitted to French Admiral's Cup contender, Krazy K-Yote2. The mast had been deemed an infringement of the International　Measurement System (IMS) rule which governs the large boat class in the　Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup (CMAC) run by the Royal Ocean Racing Club　(RORC). However, with the approval of RORC officials, the Chief Measurer　declared that the mast could be accepted only for the duration of the 1999　CMAC event and only if the yacht were awarded a rating considered to be　appropriate to the performance advantage implied in the design of the mast.

The yacht's rating was adjusted through reductions in the values affecting　the mast's windage drag. The result was a faster rating, particularly　upwind, but still well within the CMAC upper limit. The CMAC upper limit　is specified in terms of IMS General Purpose Handicap (GPH). The GPH　awarded was 6.5 seconds-per-mile faster (i.e., less favourable) than would　have been the case without the award.

The ORC action was also upheld by the CMAC International Jury and an IMS　Rating Certificate deemed to be valid for the event was issued accordingly.

The Chief Measurer's action followed months of frustrated attempts to learn　details of the mast design and construction from the designer and owner in　order to rule definitively on its legality. The designer, Juan　Kouyoumdjian, first approached Mr. Sironi last November with questions　about a possible mast project in which the mast would be designed to permit　a natural or induced rotation progressing from little or no rotation at the　deck to as much as 20 degrees near the truck. The rotation would tend to　reduce drag by better aligning the wing shaped mast with the apparent wind　flow over the mainsail. Mr. Sironi requested more details in December, but　cautioned that as outlined it appeared to him the mast would not be　permitted under the IMS as he would consider it a rotating mast. This　opinion was confirmed in January by the ORC's International Technical　Committee, the Minutes of which were issued to the designer along with　another request for information from the Chief Measurer.

Publicity and other photographs of the mast under sail were displayed in　various sources in the past month, but the mast was only presented for IMS　measurement a week and half before the CMAC event. In addition to therotation of the mast, said to be aided by the runners, it has recently been　stated by the mast's builder in Seahorse magazine that the mast　incorporates a substantial proportion of Kevlar in its construction.　Essentially, only masts of wood, fiberglass, steel, aluminum and carbon are　permitted under the IMS rule.

In ruling on the mast and awarding the rating for the CMAC, the Chief　Measurer acted under IMS rule 101 which states in part that:

"It is not possible for the Rules to cover every eventuality nor to　anticipate every innovation in design and construction. The Council　therefore reserves the right to refuse rating or to award such rating as it　considers appropriate and to interpret clauses of the Rules at any time.　Between Council meetings the ORC Chief Measurer shall be responsible for　interpretation of the IMS and measurement rules and his decision shall be　final until it is ratified or overruled by the Council."