The 44Cup will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027 with a five-event international racing calendar, including two opening regattas in Antigua and Barbuda, a World Championship in Sardinia and a first visit to La Palma in the Canary Islands.
The high-performance owner-driver one-design circuit will begin its anniversary season in the Caribbean in January, then return to Europe for events in Sweden and Italy, concluding in November at Marina La Palma.
Created by three-time America's Cup winner Russell Coutts and Slovenian yacht designer Andrej Justin, the RC44 has become one of the most enduring high-performance one-design keelboat classes.
Weighing just 3.5 tonnes, the 44ft racing yacht can plane at mid-20-knot speeds. Its lightweight construction, trim tab, retractable canting bowsprit and ability to be transported in a single 40ft container have helped sustain an international circuit for two decades.
The class continues to attract established owners, some of whom have competed since its earliest seasons, while builders still produce new RC44s.
Antigua Opens Anniversary Season
The 2027 programme begins at Falmouth Harbour, Antigua, from 27th–31st January, then moves to a second Caribbean regatta from 3rd–7th March at English Harbour, where the fleet will be based at the historic Nelson's Dockyard.
Caribbean Calling – An aerial view of Nelson's Dockyard and English Harbour, Antigua, where the 44Cup fleet will compete in March 2027 during the opening Caribbean leg of its anniversary season. Photo: Nico Martinez
The two events will introduce the RC44 fleet to Antigua's established international racing scene, with easterly trade winds and Atlantic swell expected to provide challenging conditions.
Antigua and Barbuda's Minister of Tourism, Charles Henry Fernandez, welcomed the announcement, highlighting the contribution international sailing events make to the island's marine tourism economy.
Marstrand and Porto Cervo Return
The circuit returns to Marstrand, Sweden, from 4th–8th August, marking the 15th time the 44Cup has raced at the west-coast island venue.
The anniversary season's centrepiece will be the RC44 World Championship at Porto Cervo, Sardinia, from 21st–26th September.
Anniversary Anchorage – The RC44 fleet berthed at Porto Cervo, Sardinia, where the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda will host the class's 20th anniversary World Championship in September 2027. Photo: Nico Martinez
Hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the championship will also feature a special anniversary dinner bringing together owners who have competed in the class over its 20-year history.
RC44 Class Association President Chris Bake said the boats had become modern classics while retaining their original appeal. "Our RC44 racing yachts are truly becoming modern classics; still as exhilarating to race today as they were when we first stepped on board all those years ago," he said.
La Palma Makes 44Cup Debut
The season concludes from 3rd–7th November at Marina La Palma, Santa Cruz de La Palma, another new destination for the championship.
Close Quarters – Aleph Racing and Wow Sailing Team battle for position in tight RC44 one-design racing as the international 44Cup circuit prepares to celebrate two decades of competition in 2027. Photo: Nico Martinez
The event continues the circuit's longstanding association with the Calero family, whose involvement dates back to the RC44 Gold Cup at Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, in December 2008.
Calero Marinas managing director Jose Juan Calero said hosting the final event would be a fitting way to celebrate the marina group's relationship with the class.
"Our relationship with the RC44 class goes back to its very beginnings in 2008, and we are proud to celebrate this special bond by bringing the fleet to Santa Cruz de La Palma for a new and surprising sailing destination," he said.
