The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia today announced a slight increase in the IRC upper limit, from 1.6 to 1.61, and the incorporation of an absolute size limit of 30 metres LOA, effective for this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The CYCA decision follows a process of consultation with its owners and a review of the impact on boats in last year?s race of changes to the IRC Rule effective from 1 July 2003 in Australia.

The decision means that a boat such as Alfa Romeo, which won line honours in 2002, will remain eligible to compete in 2003 despite its rating having increased to 1.607.

Announcing the change, CYCA Rear Commodore Roger Hickman said the change not only ensured that boats that were eligible last year remained so in 2003 without having to make modifications, but also accommodated a number of boats currently in design or being built that became ineligible as a result of the changes in the IRC Rule.

In closing, Rear Commodore Hickman said that these decisions provide the certainty that ought encourage strong competition for line honours amongst a number of boats. It also enabled the Notice of Race for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race to be completed. It is now being printed and will be available shortly.