Classic Boat — March 2018

INGRID ABERY PHOTOGRAPHY

B

runo Troublé has sparked a heated debate on

the future of CIM as a rating system governing

classic yacht racing in the Mediterranean.

The former America’s Cup helm, who has

become a central figure in the classic scene, has

surveyed members of the French Association of Classic

Yachts (L’AYFT), backed by association president

Frederic Berthoz, on a range of topics including the

hiring of professional helms, the optimisation of yachts

and the handicap or rating system.

The Med circuit has raced under the rules of CIM –

the Comité International de la Méditerranée – for more

than 20 years. Broadly speaking, CIM is distinguished

from other systems in that it adjusts a yacht’s handicap

according to how ‘authentic’ that boat is, so an old boat

with modern sails and fittings should receive a less

favourable rating.

However, Troublé says in his letter to the association

members: “CIM has reached its limits. It is arbitrary,

imprecise, unfair and it lacks rigour.”

He claims the CIM rating system does not offer clarity

and that it fails to take into account key measurements

such as displacement and headsail size. He is keen for the

Med circuit to adopt IRC, the handicap system widely

used in modern yacht racing, but with classic-specific

clauses added, for instance to protect an old yacht’s

originality and to guard against optimisation.

In response to a growing trend for professionals being

hired to helm private yachts during regattas, Troublé is

also campaigning for an owner-driver rule. This might

see a penalty for yachts whose owners are absent during

a regatta and a time credit for yachts that are owner-

helmed. Almost 80 members of the association returned

the survey, with 80% calling for a change to the current

rating system, many in favour of a mix of systems.

Renaud Godhard, who is French representative of the

CIM Rule Committee, said the matter had been

discussed by CIM, including the idea of adopting IRC.

“We have analysed this initiative, which in principal is

good – to build a performance rule, adding an allowance

to protect the authenticity of classic yachts, which is the

basis of CIM’s success.

“But the result of the discussions was largely

unfavourable for the moment, because the IRC rule is

not very adaptable, notably for gaff-rigged yachts and

for older boats. However, we are listening and can start

to simulate regatta representatives if and when we have

enough data. For now we are preparing the 2018-2021

CIM rules based on some adjustments.”

A spokesman for the French Association of Classic

Yachts said: “There are many options and the IRC rating

system is just one of them. During the 2018 season, we

are going to conduct a simulation of different rating

options (IRC, ORC, Time on Time, Time on Distance

and possibly others) and study the results. We will then

have a better understanding of each potential way

forward. Depending on the outcome, we will consider

presenting those results to CIM, with a view to adapting

the rating system. For 2018, the official rule is CIM’s.”

The debate provoked a range of opinions from

“CIM has reached its limits.

It is arbitrary, imprecise, unfair

and it lacks rigour”

BRUNO TROUBLÉ

“IRC is not very adaptable,

notably for gaff-rigged yachts

and for older boats”

RENAUD GODHARD, CIM FRENCH REPRESENTATIVE