Yachting New Zealand calls on clubs to collaborate — and step up — as CIORC calendar takes shape
Yachting New Zealand's Cruising, Inshore and Offshore Racing Committee (CIORC) is calling on clubs across the country to work more closely together — and for more sailors to volunteer their expertise — as it develops a coordinated national racing and cruising calendar for the seasons ahead.
The call followed a meeting on 23 July, which brought together representatives from northern clubs and classes spanning keelboats, multihulls, trailer yachts, cruising and performance handicap racing to discuss the 2026/27 Northern North Island calendar and the committee's wider work.
CIORC is a standing committee established by the Yachting New Zealand Board that reports to the Chief Executive. It represents competitive and recreational sailors across keelboats, trailer yachts and multihulls while promoting safety throughout the sport. Its responsibilities include coordinating major offshore, coastal and inshore racing calendars, overseeing Category 1 and 2 event approvals, reviewing safety regulations, managing the PHRF and IRC rating systems, and advising Yachting New Zealand on policy and international developments.
CIORC chair Simon Hull said the process was about far more than simply avoiding date clashes.
"This calendar is about giving everyone visibility of what's happening around the country so events can support each other rather than compete with each other," Hull said.
"When boats from different clubs come together for the same regatta, everybody benefits: bigger fleets, better racing, and a stronger sense that we're all part of the same sport."
Several key calendar updates were also confirmed. Bay of Islands Sailing Week will move forward a day in 2027, running from 24-28 January. The Three Kings Race will return in 2028, with a shorter Category 3 coastal race planned for April 2027. Nelson Regatta, Waikawa Women's Regatta and other lower North Island and South Island events will be added once clubs confirm their dates, with the finished calendar then published as a live, filterable resource on the Yachting New Zealand website.
The 2028 Bay of Islands Sailing Week will run from 24 to 28 January. Photo / Insight Media
Alongside the calendar work, CIORC renewed its call for more volunteers to join the committee, seeking members who can represent the breadth of cruising, inshore and offshore sailing across the country. The role involves four to five meetings each year, primarily online with one in-person meeting.
PHRF is Yachting New Zealand's nationally recognised performance handicap system, primarily used for inter-club and multi-club racing and internationally benchmarked against leading handicap systems. The PHRF Sub-committee, jointly convened by Simon Manning and Mark Mulcare, also appealed for additional volunteers.
According to Manning, demand for certificates peaks ahead of events such as Bay of Islands Sailing Week, the Coastal Classic and the SSANZ Triple Series, with ratings reviewed two or three times annually through incremental adjustments. The sub-committee is also upgrading its database and has asked clubs to improve data quality by using consistent race, series and boat names when submitting results.
Safety was another major focus. Yachting New Zealand's Regional Development and Safety Manager, Nigel Richards, outlined progress towards establishing a dedicated Safety Sub-committee while leading a comprehensive review of the Sailing Safety Regulations. The review aims to modernise outdated content and improve alignment with Australian Sailing standards to better support trans-Tasman racing.
Yachting New Zealand's CIORC committee has undertaken to expand its cruising-specific safety support. Photo / Island Cruising NZ
Following the Solo Trans-Tasman Race — the first offshore event since changes to Maritime New Zealand's delegation arrangements — Yachting New Zealand also secured recognition of Australian Category 1 certification, reducing the need for duplicate certification, lowering Category 1 costs in New Zealand, and coordinating inspections with Maritime New Zealand to reduce the compliance burden on skippers.
The committee also reaffirmed its commitment to giving cruising equal prominence alongside racing, including expanding cruising-specific safety support. A revamped, modular Coastal Personal Safety Course is now available for delivery nationwide through local presenters.
Clubs with outstanding 2026/27 calendar dates, or sailors interested in joining CIORC, or members interested in the PHRF Sub-committee, or with PHRF queries, can contact Dominique Roos at reception@yachtingnz.org.nz.
Main image / Live Sail Die
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