We’re pleased to report that Jim Teeters has joined US Sailing as Head of the Offshore Ratings Office. Teeters is the long-time scorer of the Bermuda Race, manager of the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) velocity prediction program, and a volunteer on the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee. His hiring signals US Sailing’s long-term commitment to rebuilding the Offshore Office and creating new services to benefit offshore racers using ORR and other rating rules.

Teeters says, “We will be hiring more staff to assist in the 2022 season in anticipation of a resurgence in participation. That includes more trained and certified measurers to help handle the expected increase.”

Several members of the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee have stepped forward to help, including Chief Inspector James Phyfe, who is also Chief Resource Officer at Safe Harbor Marinas. Safe Harbor is training a number of its staff at key locations as measurers to support this initiative. “This is a natural alliance,” Teeters says, “and is potentially very efficient given where offshore boats generally live.” 

Running this training has been Eric Baittinger, the Chief Measurer for both US Sailing and ORR.  The net result, says Teeters, is he expects to be able to fully meet the demands for boat measurement for the Newport Bermuda Race and ORR. 

For more on the ORR and certificate applications, contact the Offshore Ratings Office here.