SAILBOAT RATING/HANDICAP INFORMATION
The Lake Ontario Offshore Racing events are open to yachts holding a valid certificate from one of the following rating systems: PHRF and GLMRA. You can find more details below regarding each rating system.
Sail Measurement Certificate
If you’re purchasing a new sail or having a sail serviced at a sailmaker’s, it’s to your benefit to have the sailmaker measure the sails and provide you with a Sailmakers’ Sail Measurement Certificate with all the measurements applicable to that sail under UMS. This will save having to measure the sail later as you will have all measurements needed for any handicap/rating system. This especially applies to older sails as they shrink in the dimensions that are measured for handicap rating. Shrink enough to generate a slight change in your rating!
PHRF
The Performance Handicap Racing Fleet on Lake Ontario is coordinated by the PHRF-LO organization. The Lake Ontario Offshore Racing events require yachts to have valid PHRF Certificate to participate in the PHRF divisions. To obtain a Certificate, the vessel owner must submit a completed application, approved for correctness by the Club PHRF Handicapper, to PHRF-LO.
It is the Certificate Holder’s responsibility to ensure they are participating in the race with the yacht configuration outlined in their certificate. Competing in a race with a yacht in a configuration different from that shown on the PHRF-LO Certificate is subject to protest by any competitor or the PHRF-LO local District Council or the Central Council.
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LOOR Webinar Series 2021 – I need a PHRF-LO certificate for my sailboat, what do I need to do?
GLMRA
The Great Lakes Multihull Racing Association was created to provide multihull racers with a rating rule and certificate, universally accepted throughout the region This group/rule is intended to encourage innovation and participation in racing on the Great Lakes, minimize confusion and partisanship, allow for the expedient development of boats and equipment, encourage innovation and safety as well as respect balanced interests of fair competition and sportsmanship.
Multihull yacht owners who wish to participate in the Lake Ontario Offshore Racing events must present a valid GLMRA certificate. An application form is available on their website.
Compliance with Certificates
It is the Certificate Holder’s responsibility to ensure they are participating in the race with the yacht configuration outlined in their certificate. Competing in a race with a yacht in a configuration different from that shown on the certificate can be subject to protest by any competitor, the race committee or the rating organization.