The chairman of the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee and the flag officers of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Cruising Club of America announce that the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) will be the primary handicapping system used for the 2008 Newport Bermuda Race.

All boats in all divisions will be scored using ORR. Boats sailing in the St. David’s Lighthouse (amateur) and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (professional) divisions may also submit endorsed IRC certificates for additional divisional trophies awarded under IRC. The highly-prized St. David’s Lighthouse and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse trophies will be awarded for corrected time performance using ORR.

In making this announcement, the sponsoring clubs of the Newport Bermuda Race continue a 30-year tradition of endorsing VPP-based handicapping for this classic ocean race.

The 2008 Newport Bermuda Race will start on Friday, June 20, 2008 in Newport, RI. More than 265 boats competed in the 2006 race, and another large fleet is anticipated for 2008.