Greetings IRC racers here in Ireland!
On Tuesday 6th, December, the RORC will host a panel discussion about 'How to optimize your boat under IRC’. This is a "must-see".
North Sails' own double Olympic medallist (and skipper of "Green Dragon" in the 08/09 Volvo Ocean Race), Ian Walker, will be hosting a panel of experts, including North Sails European Design Manager, David Lenz and Sam North (the name is a total coincidence!).
Irish sailors will know "Lenzy" well as he was part of the winning Irish Team as tactician on "Antix" at the 2014 Rolex Commodore's Cup. He was also a tactician on "Squirt" at the Cape 31 UK Nationals, finishing a very close 3rd overall.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, skippered by Ian Walker from the UK, competing in the Discover Ireland In-Port Race, in Galway, Ireland, during the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Photo: Ian Roman
Also on the panel will be Sam North, who came 2nd in class and 3rd overall in Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race (which was his first season on the new boat), and RORC Commodore James Neville with his boat Ino XXX who came second overall in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race. Irish readers will also know "Ino XXX", who unfortunately had to retire from the Round Ireland in June after hull damage off the Stormy South West.
This is a great chance to learn not only how to optimize your boat, mast, and sails to win under the IRC rule but how to improve your racing performance in general. If you want to know more about how to attend or how to watch the recording, check out the RORC page here
