To support our diverse fleet during the transition from PHRF to ORC, we assign existing valid ORC certificates to our local boats that haven’t yet obtained their own ORC certificates. This allows us to score our fleets using ORC and give any competitors still learning about ORC the opportunity to be included in this exciting new chapter of sailboat racing in Buffalo.

We select an ORC certificate from the database of existing ratings that best matches the design, weight, sail area, and performance characteristics of local competitors’ boats not yet using ORC. To encourage competitors to obtain their own ORC certificates, our default position is to choose certificates that slightly disadvantage boats needing an assigned rating. This conservative approach highlights the benefits of boat-specific ORC certificates and ensures handicaps accurately reflect each boat’s potential, aligning with ORC’s boat-centric philosophy and demonstrating its superior fairness and precision.