The current handicap list can be viewed by clicking here.

Following on from the Sailing Forum at the end of 2006, it was decided that in order to provide fairer and more competitive sailing between boats of similar performance the current handicap system of Class 1 IRC and Class 2 RCH needed to be reviewed.

The Jersey Handicap Committee, which consists of 3 Club members with extensive racing experience, was set up to consider the introduction of a new system of handicapping. They have subsequently produced new handicap forms to complete, together with guidance notes, which can be found on the website and in the racks.

The new handicap system has now been adopted and is in use for all Club racing. It is essential that all skippers who plan to race in 2010 complete and return the handicap form.

While it is the responsibility of the Jersey Handicap Committee to allocate and review handicaps, it remains the responsibility of the Sailing Committee to determine the splits between separate Classes and allocation of classes to yachts. The new system does not replace IRC certificates, and any current or updated certificates should continue to be submitted to the Club for the attention of the handicapping committee.

It should be noted that the new system is based upon a boat’s potential performance, and not the skipper/crew’s ability. Skippers will not be able to choose which Class they would prefer to sail in, but will be placed in a Class determined by the Sailing Committee. Should skippers wish to race in a different class than that allocated, they may apply in writing to the Sailing Committee; only requests for yachts close to a class boundary to move to a higher class will normally be considered. There will be some boats within each Class that have IRC handicaps and some that have handicaps allocated by the Jersey Handicap Committee. The fairest means of handicapping a boat is through the official IRC handicap and it will almost certainly be more advantageous for a boat to apply for an IRC certificate, which is being encouraged by the Handicap Committee and the Club.