11 December 2022
UK-based
multihull expert Simon Forbes has joined the team at ORC to help
manage the issuing of ORCmh (ORC MultiHull) certificates, a new
product line for ORC. His appointment is effective immediately.
Forbes brings four decades of expertise in an
impressive range of skills in the Multihull world. After receiving
his diploma in Yacht and Boat Design at Southampton in the early
1980’s, he started his career in design and construction with Derek
Kelsall in a wide variety of innovative performance-oriented
multihulls, and within a few years started putting these skills to
work also at World Sailing in a variety of roles: Assistant
Measurer, Technical Officer, Technical Manager, and Technical &
Offshore Manager. While at World Sailing he supported the Keelboat,
Centerboard Boat, Multihull, Measurement, Board Sailing, Offshore
Special Regulation and Oceanic and Offshore Committee, as well as
the International Regulations Commission.
Since 2000 Forbes also manages the Multihull Offshore Cruising and
Racing Association (MOCRA) rating system, which is currently used
around the world for numerous offshore races.
Another important element of Forbes’ four decades of background is
his insight gained from his own multihull experience: he has sailed
on such high-profile boats as Alain Thébault’s 60-foot foiling
HYDROPTERE the 110-foot catamaran MAIDEN II with Brian Thompson,
Loic Peyron’s 110-foot catamaran INNOVATION EXPLORER and his 60-foot
trimaran FUJICOLOR and Lalou Roucayrol’s BANQUE POPULAIRE.
“I am passionate about the world of sailing, and so have spent my
career and personal life deeply involved in the sport,” said Forbes.
“In my new role I’m looking forward to working with the extensive
resources of the ORC team to continue to develop and improve the
ORCmh rule and issue certificates to multihulls interested in
receiving fair, science-based ratings.”
“It’s a privilege for us to have Simon join our ORC crew,” said
Bruno Finzi, Chairman of ORC. “His passion and knowledge of
multihulls will greatly contribute to a new and important sector of
our growing base of customers.”
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