Handicap and Distance Racing 79 



important member of the crew, although the cook isn't far behind, for 

 if— as Napoleon stated— an army marches on its stomach, the crew of an 

 ocean (distance) racing yacht sails on theirs. 



As with other types of racing, the actual techniques involved in sailing 

 on a distance race are not included in this book. There are several good 

 books listed on this subject in the glossary. However, the racing-cruising 

 boats described in Chapter 7 are capable of entry into this type of racing. 



MIDGET OCEAN RACING CLUB 



The Midget Ocean Racing Club (MORC) was organized to promote 

 medium to long-distance racing on a handicap basis in small sailing craft 

 up to 29.99 feet in overall length. It is not intended that these yachts 

 participate in ocean-racing events such as the Bermuda Race, but rather 

 in races which will allow them to sail in what may be classified as semi- 

 protected waters, such as are found along the coasts and in the Great 

 Lakes of the United States. The success of racing on this scale depends 

 largely upon the safety of the yachts and their crews, and for this reason 

 certain safety requirements must be met before a yacht may participate 

 in MORC events. 



For example, the yachts must be self-righting. In cases when the meas- 

 urer is not satisfied with the safety of the boat, he may ask for a self-right- 

 ing test. During this test, after closing hatches, scuttles and vents, the boat 

 shall be hove down on its beam ends, and with the mast weighted with 

 all the working sails attached to the jib-halyard block, must return to the 

 upright position. There are many other safety requirements a boat must 

 meet to be approved by the MORC. Should you wish complete specifica- 

 tions, send $1 to cover the cost of handling and mailing, to the following 

 address: 



Mrs. Ray Nelson, Secretary 



421 West 118th Street 



New York, New York 



To give some idea as to the basic racing instructions of MORC, the 

 following cover all races run by the New York Station: 



1. Management: Races will be managed under the sole jurisdiction of 



