The UMS represents the latest enhancement to World Sailing’s In-House Certification (IHC) programme and enables sailmakers to record and display key measurements on a single sail stamp, standardising certification procedures and streamlining communication with certifying authorities. This allows sails to be measured once using a process recognised by both rating systems. 

The system is endorsed by the International Racing Certificate (IRC) and Offshore Racing Congress rating systems and in use worldwide. 

Jaime Navarro, Technical and Offshore Director said: “This is a significant step toward standardising measurement and certification procedures across the sport. We’re confident that boat owners and competitors will see the benefits immediately. This cooperation helps eliminate redundancy and uncertainty. We’re grateful to IRC Rating Director, Jason Smithwick and ORC Chief Measurer, Zoran Grubisa, for their collaboration on this project and they are confident this is significant progress for sailors who use either or both, rating systems.”  

Dr Jason Smithwick, IRC Director, added, “The introduction of the UMS sail measurement sticker is a positive and practical step for our sport. It brings consistency for sailmakers, sailors and rating authorities. IRC plays a central role in offshore racing worldwide, from the Rolex Fastnet Race and the RORC Caribbean 600 to countless national and club-level events. These races bring together a huge variety of boats and produce some of the most exciting competition in the sport. Anything that supports fairness and accuracy in the measurement process and equipment inspection is good for racing and good for sailing as a whole. IRC is pleased to have worked closely with World Sailing and ORC to help deliver this initiative.” 

“We feel that this initiative will help us have consistency and uniformity in sail data among the 42 ORC rating offices we have around the world that issue ORC certificates,” said Zoran Grubisa, ORC Chief Measurer. “Since our annual world and continental championships are popular events that attract entries from many nations, this will help strengthen their competitive integrity through enhanced accuracy in measurement data and ratings.” 

The IHC program is designed to allow builders who meet specific standards to self-certify sails. This scheme seeks to uphold the same level of standards ensured by traditional control and certification processes while reducing the time and costs involved. World Sailing aims to establish consistent standards and certifications globally, enabling sailors to purchase certified “ready-to-race” sails.

Sailmakers can join the IHC Programme through the application of a Certification System under licence issued by the World Sailing directly or approved Member National Authorities (MNAs).

Currently 28 World Sailing Classes, 26 National Classes, 2 International Rating Systems (IRC and ORC), 1 National Rating System (SSF) and 38 sailmakers worldwide are adopting the IHC Programme. More information about World Sailing’s In-House Certification programme is available on the World Sailing website.