ORR: The VPP Rule that protects the fleet
Most competitive sailors would like to prepare their hull, sails, and equipment carefully and go racing with a fair rating. They don't want to spend their time and money changing boats every couple years and constantly running trial certificates to beat the system. That's why the velocity prediction program at the heart of the Offshore Racing Rule remains protected code and is updated annually by its owner, the Offshore Racing Association, based on constant observation and research.
No rule is perfect, but the ORR is sophisticated and constantly improved. Our focus at the ORA is to manage the rule as well as we can and provide great customer service to you, the sailors, race committees, and organizing authorities that make the sport happen.
Apply, Organize, Learn ABout the Rule
Apply for an ORR Certificate: We work with US Sailing's Offshore office, which manages the process to get your certificate: 1) help you get a measurer and 2) collect the data. Also, they can provide you with a performance package if you want a set of polars for your boat. certifies measurers, gathers data, and processes certificates. See their application page for a full list of Application resources. Some of the most commonly requested are below. Jim Teeters is the primary contact at the Offshore office.
Organizing Authorities and Race Committees: If you have questions, contact Doug Ryan / Executive Director
About the Rule: ORR is an objective rule whose rating calculations are based on the measurement of all the speed-related features of the competing sailboats. Developed through systematic scientific research, the ORR Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) calculates the speed potential of each boat at various combinations of wind speeds and course directions to give the fairest handicap possible.
ORA intends for the ORR handicap system to be a non-type forming measurement rating rule that fairly evaluates well designed and prepared boats. The ORR is not a development rule and is not intended for sailors who are looking to “beat” the ORR handicap system. In order to discourage attempts to design boats “to the rule”, the algorithms of the VPP are not publicly broadcast. ORA updates the ORR Rule Book and handicap system on a regular basis to stay current with the latest VPP research and boat design development.