Chairman Don Genitempo (USA) convened the ORC Offshore Classes and Events Committee to order with a brief yet lively agenda of topics ranging from reports given on the 2009 ORC Championship events, the ORC GP classes and their activities, two submissions made related to ORC classes, and a discussion of the 2010 calendar.

The report on the ORCi Worlds in Brindisi was given by ORC Chairman Bruno Finzi (ITA), and confirmed that the location chosen between two major ORCi fleets in the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian successfully attracted 77 entries from 7 countries, one of the largest turnouts seen in the past decade. The majority of the entries qualified to be in the Corinthian division, though the late submission of crew lists and subsequent verification of ISAF Classification status prompted a discussion on establishing standards for this process for future events. Seven races were held in suitably varied conditions, with the winner being last year’s runner-up, George Andreadis (GRE) and his team on Meliti IV.

A report was also submitted from Eva Holmsten (SWE) and Zoran Grubisa (CRO) on the ORCi Europeans held in Ystad, Sweden, where 23 entries from 4 countries met in early August to sail 9 races over 5 days. Grubisa and Holmsten reported that while the event was not strongly attended, the racing was very close, and the hospitality and support of the local organization made for a very friendly event for all participants. Christian Plump and his Beluga Sailing team repeated their past win and took the title.

Dobbs Davis (USA) reported on the success of both the GP42 Global Cup and the GP42 Class’s first year as part of the Audi MedCup. Reports were also made on the slow progress of the GP33 Class, with two boats being launched this year in Japan and Poland but no class racing as yet, but a renewed interest being made by a group forming a North American GP26 Association in response to build projects currently underway in Connecticut and California.

Events for the 2010 calendar were confirmed, including the ORCi World Championship in Flensburg, GER in September, the ORCi European Championship in Sardinia (Cagliari or La Magdelena) in July, as well as venues  for 2011: the Worlds in Cres, Croatia, and Europeans in Hanko, Norway. Looking even further ahead, Helsinki was confirmed as a venue for the 2012 World Championship.

Besides these events, the committee will work to compile a complete and accurate list of major ORC events worldwide and keep these posted on the ORC website.