The new High Performance Rule (HPR) took another big step forward this month when it was used to score its own division at the Rolex Big Boat Series on San Francisco Bay.
Created to accommodate cutting-edge offshore-capable racers in the 36- to 44-foot range that do not rate well under IRC, which favors dual-purpose racer-cruisers, the rule is quickly being refined following an on-the-water test at last winter’s Quantum Key West Race Week. Examples of the types of boats the rule has been designed to accommodate include lightweight speedsters like the new Farr 400, the Carkeek 40 and the McConaghy 38.
“The interest since we’ve been developing this rule concept over the past year has been tremendous, and this regatta is an ideal setting for the types of boats, courses and sailing conditions that we think are perfectly suited to HPR,” says Steve Benjamin, who owns a Carkeek 40 and is one of the organizers of the rule.
In June, the Offshore Racing Association also agreed to help promote and administer the rule, the same as it does with the existing Offshore Rating Rule. For more on HPR class racing, visit hprsailing.org.
