This year’s popular season opener for offshore yachts, the Red Funnel Easter Challenge, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, will include a new feature designed to meet the demand from owners of high performance yachts for the opportunity to race as a class under virtual level rating terms.

The IRM Class Association has selected the Red Funnel Easter Challenge as a nominated event for the IRM Points Championship. The Farr 45s, Swan 45s, DK 46s, the new Rogers 45, Farr 40s and Ker 11.3s holding valid IRM certificates will also be dual scored within the IRM Class under criteria drawn up by the owners. Separate prizes will be awarded for the IRM Class overall as well as both the 40 and 45 foot rating bands, dependent upon the number of entries.

These changes have been introduced following discussions with the owners and the IRM Class Association. The IRM Class Association is supported by the Royal Ocean Racing Club which recognises that boats designed to the IRM Rule continue to provide the close competitive racing in high performance boats that many owners are seeking.

Steph Merry of the IRM Owners Association welcomed this support of the Class commenting: “We are pleased to continue our association with the RORC in this regatta. It is a significant event in the IRM calendar with an opportunity for our owners to assess their performance at the beginning of the racing season.”

For details of entry log onto www.rorc.org.