Season's Greetings from ORC

The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) continues to expand its global footprint with a successful visit to Qingdao, China, during the recent City Clubs Open Regatta. Invited by the China Marina Sports School (CMSS), ORC Chief Measurer Zoran Grubisa conducted a comprehensive programme including a measurement seminar and presentations to both race officials and sailors. The visit marks an important step in the continued development of offshore racing under ORC rules in China.

ORC exists to ensure that vastly different racing yachts — in size, design, and performance characteristics — can compete fairly on the same race course. Through advanced VPP-based handicap systems, ORC serves sailors and race organizers in more than 45 countries and remains the largest measurement-based rating system in the world.

This past weekend, the Yacht Club of Greece hosted a comprehensive ORC Seminar dedicated to sailors, race organizers, rating officers, and measurers. The two-day event combined presentations, discussions, and practical workshops, attracting more than 25 participants from across Greece.

The 2026 ORC VPP update introduces a targeted technical adjustment aimed at safeguarding the accuracy and consistency of performance predictions as yacht designs continue to evolve.