Industry Partners:

CONFERENCE CALL Feb. 14, 2007

Owners: Mort Weintraub, Paul Zabetakis, John Siegel, Jim Miller, Ed Freitag, George Hinman, Rich du Moulin (chairman). Absent: Larry Huntington, John Brim.

Technical Advisors: Butch Ulmer, Luiz Kahl. Absent: Steve Benjamin, Barrry Carroll, Mark Mills.

Invited Guests: Talbot Wilson, John Mendez, John Kilroy, John Fisher, Dan Nowlan, Dave Elwell.

1. Draft constitution for the US-IRC Owners Association was discussed and approved with two clarifications needed: a) article 3.5- clarify that confidentiality refers to specific yacht data, which if available to the designers could lead to reverse modeling the secret IRC formulae. Yachts ratings are available to the community. B) article 5.5- all present committee members and the chairman are serving on a provisional basis until formal elections can take place.

2. Measurer Training and Certification- extensive discussion regarding the need to elevate the skill level of existing IRC measurers and maintain some quality control. Dan N reports that US Sailing is planning a series of measurer seminars in the next few months. Measurer fees are not consistent and there have been some complaints. US-IRC will consider guidelines . Dan N will produce a specific 2007 Plan after receiving back the initial batch of Questionnaires.

3. Measurement Process- Dan N will produce a one page handout to guide owners as to how to most effectively prepare their boat and organize a measurement session, to ensure a most economic and accurate job. Dan N also reported that US Sailing requires scales must be recertified every six months by recognized vendors

4. US Sailing/IRC head office Processes - much discussion about the quality of service, turnaround time for ratings once submitted, and I.T. systems. Luiz Kahl and Dan N. agreed to review the I.T. , and in particular the new IRC Data form, within a week of this meeting. Dan N reported that he is searching for a successor for Tripp Estabrook. This is urgent given the expected spring rush.

5. Revalidations/Revisions-- Dan N pointed out the difficulty coping with multiple last minute rating changes (many) by grand prix competitors. Some events are setting deadlines to prevent last minute rating changes. This Committee will encourage race organizing authorities to set deadlines to help their race management and prevent this crunch at US Sailing.

6. Spinoas- IRC recently put out an amended procedure for rating these spinnakers sporting battens aimed at simulating a large overlapping jib while being measured as an extra chute. There is uncertainty whether this adjustment is adequate. There is ongoing discussion with IRC. The overwhelming opinion in the US is to strongly penalize spinoas to avoid an arms race, preferably by treating them as jibs. It was generally agreed that issues like this need to be dealt with quickly to prevent unnecessary expense and uncertainty.

7. Endorsed/Nonendorsed- general discussion regarding best use of endoresed versus non-endorsed certificates by race organizers.

8. Seminars- It was agreed that US-IRC must re-invigorate the seminars aimed at educating the sailing public, boat owners, and clubs/organizers about IRC, much as we did so successfully two years ago.

9. US Sailing Meeting in Newport March 15-17- Chairman du Moulin, John Siegel and several other Committee members planning on attending.

10. Next Meeting- telephonic meeting for 1430 EST Tuesday March 13. A notice will be sent.

ACTION ITEMS

Dan Nowlan -

1. IRC Measurement Helper- one page
2. Review of questionnaires and 2007 Plan iii. Schedule Measurer Seminars iv. Hire IRC employee

Dan Nowlan and Luiz Kahl

1. Discuss new IRC form and I.T.

US-IRC/Barry Carroll

1. Contact IRC regarding spinoas
2. US Sailing Meeting- Plans for USS meeting Iii. Seminar schedule for 2007

Association/Rich du Moulin

1. Re-state articles 3.5 and 5.5
2. Work with US-IRC for above items
3. Fill out Tech. Advisory Committee

Respectfully submitted,

Richard du Moulin, Chairman