The RORC Easter Challenge, supported by North Sails featured seven races over three days, with the IRC Class winners announced at the Cowes RORC Clubhouse on Easter Sunday: Ian Atkins’ GP42 Dark ‘N’ Stormy, Simon Perry’s Cape 31 Jiraffe, Lance Adams’ Corby 36 Oui, Nick Martin’s Sun Fast 3600 Diablo, and John Smart’s J/109 Jukebox.

Full Results link HERE

Thirty-nine teams racing 24 different designs under the IRC Rating Rule entered the RORC Easter Challenge. As well as world-class race management, all of the competitors were offered complimentary on-the-water coaching and after racing video debriefs. Honing the techniques and skills to kick start their 2023 season is the ultimate aim of the RORC training regatta that has been run for nearly 30 years. The RORC Coaching Team led by Mason King was out in force, backed up by drone video from the North Sails Rib.

“We set out to give teams the opportunity to take advantage of the coaching on offer to reach their goals and have fun while they were achieving it,” commented Mason King. “The RORC Race Team laid on excellent racing and the Clubhouse was well attended for the debriefs. Above all, we have had great feedback from the sailors that this has been an extremely useful regatta for their season ahead.”

Ian Atkins' Dark ‘N’ Stormy was up against the De Graaf family’s Ker 43 Baraka for the regatta, but the duel was had on the same race course as the other classes, bringing many more aspects into play.

“This is the first regatta of the season for Dark ‘N’ Stormy, so it’s been really nice to get the team back together at a well-organised regatta,” commented Ian Atkins. “The Dutch team on Baraka pushed us in every race which kept the level of racing up, so Easter has been very good as an opener for the season ahead. The big regattas for us this season will be defending our win in the Round the Island Race and the RORC IRC National Championship.”

Ian Atkins’ GP42 Dark ‘N’ Stormy Photo: Paul Wyeth 

Simon Perry’s Cape 31 Jiraffe won the class in the final race after IRC time correction by just four seconds. David Bartholomew’s Tokoloshe 4 was second for the series on countback from Michael Wilson’s Shotgunn.

“We are very pleased and to win was fantastic,” commented Simon Perry who homed in on areas of improvement. “We have made a few changes to the crew set up and they seem to be working. We have much better control of the rig set up and also much better tactics. We will be racing in the Warsash Spring Series but the next big regatta for us will be the RORC Vice Admiral’s Cup. We could see twenty Cape 31s at the Vice Admiral’s Cup, including teams from Ireland and the USA taking on the UK fleet, so it’s going to be a lot tougher!”

Simon Perry's Cape 31 Jiraffe Photo: Paul Wyeth 

Lance Adams’ Corby 33 OUI won five races to win IRC Two. VME Racing’s Mills 39 Team Hero on Zero was second, skippered by James Gair with a crew from Bristol which races Simon Britten’s Half Tonner Hero. “It’s been a great weekend very enjoyable,” commented Simon. “I set out to improve my driving skills and the crew have been working very well together on boat handling. The big regatta for us this year will be Falmouth Week and the RORC Easter Challenge has been excellent preparation for the sailing ahead, as well as a lot of fun.”

Lance Adams’ Corby 33 OUI won five races to win IRC Two Photo: Paul Wyeth 

RORC Treasurer, Derek Shakespeare racing his J/122 Bulldog was third in IRC Two. “Bulldog will be racing in the Rolex Fastnet Race this summer and our first offshore race will be the Cervantes Trophy Race at the end of April,” commented Derek Shakespeare who will also be defending Bulldog’s win as IRC One champion for 2022. “The RORC Easter Challenge serves as a good test for our boat handling and also our equipment for the offshore season ahead.”

 Derek Shakespeare's J/122 Bulldog Photo: Paul Wyeth

IRC Three was won by Nick Martin’s Sun Fast 3600 Diablo, which he normally races offshore and Two-Handed. In second place was the British Army Sailing Association’s Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier, skippered by Henry Foster. In third was Lucian Stone’s Vendetta which was the top Fareast 28 for the regatta. 

“Having four on board allowed us to handle the boat better in manoeuvres and that has been a very good way to develop techniques for Two-Handed racing,” commented Diablo’s Nick Martin. “This has been a fabulous event; great organisation, plus the coaching and debriefs were superb. A big thank you to the RORC Race Team and the volunteers.” 

IRC Three was won by Nick Martin’s Sun Fast 3600 Diablo Photo: Paul Wyeth

British Army Sailing Association’s Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier, skippered by Henry Foster Photo: Paul Wyeth 

In IRC Four J Boats claimed all three podium positions for the regatta. John Smart’s J/109 Jukebox, a former J/109 National Champion won the class. Rob Cotterill’s J/109 Mojo Risin’ scored three race wins to finish second in class and Ross Bowdler’s J/80 Justify was third.

 John Smart’s J/109 Jukebox and Rob Cotterill’s J/109 Mojo Risin Photo: Paul Wyeth

The RORC Cowes Clubhouse was packed with sailors for the Prize Giving. RORC Commodore James Neville presented IRC Class winners with engraved RORC decanters and performed the customary Easter Egg toss!

RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole summed up the RORC Easter Challenge: “The Club are really pleased with the regatta; the coaches and North Sails did a really great job and we were lucky to have excellent weather to give the boats fantastic racing. It looked like people were learning; we could see the improvements. I hope we have helped all of the teams, but especially those in IRC Three and Four; this was part of the mission for this regatta. They are the backbone of the RORC and helping them is good for the RORC in the long run.”

The second day of the RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent, supported by North Sails, featured three races for all IRC Classes.

With building pressure during the day, the RORC fleet enjoyed exhilarating racing in the Solent.

The RORC Race Team produced a variety of courses, including windward-leeward, round-the-cans races and the rarity of reaching starts.

Today’s race winners were: Ian Atkins’ GP42 Dark ‘N’ Stormy, Simon Perry’s Cape 31 Jiraffe, Michael Wilson’s Shotgunn, Lance Adams’ Corby 36 Oui, Nick Martin’s Sun Fast 3600 Diablo, Rob Cotterill's J/109 Mojo Risin’, James Gair’s Team Hero on Zero, and Lucian Stone’s Fareast 28 Vendetta.

Full results link here

A gentle start to day one of the RORC Easter Challenge had the RORC fleet basking in the spring sunshine and super-light conditions. The first day of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s training regatta featured an hour of practice starts followed by Race One for all classes. Congratulations to today’s class winners: Ian Atkins’ GP42 Dark ‘N’ Stormy, Dave Bartholomew’s Cape31 Tokoloshe 4, Ed Bell’s JPK 1180 Dawn Treader, Alain Waha & Matthew Waite’s Fareast 28 Go West and Ross Bowdler’s J/80 Justify.

Full Results link HERE

“It really was borderline to run the race today with such light air, but this fleet came here to train for the season ahead and the most important goal for the race team was to get them sailing,” commented RORC Race Officer Stuart Childerley. “The race started at high tide with a short course off Lee-on-Solent where the best breeze was available. During the race, the competitors had to factor in the change in the tide and the wind direction.” 

Out on the water, the RORC Coaching Team led by Mason King and the North Sails RIB with Neil Mackley on board, kept a watchful eye on all of the boats. Offering advice, as well as filming the boat set up and manoeuvres.

On-the-water coaching over the three-day RORC Easter Challenge is led by RYA Keelboat Coach Mason King and his team Photo: Paul Wyeth

As the first RORC regatta in the Solent since last summer, there was a great atmosphere at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse after racing. Crews enjoyed cold drinks at the bar, swapping stories about their plans for the season ahead. The RORC Easter Challenge Debrief was extremely well attended. An hour-long video analysis by experts pinpointed areas for the boats to improve upon, as well as a bounty of tips and tricks to improve performance. 

“Getting trimmers off the boat and into the coach rib to see their set-up is really valuable,” commented Mason King. “Looking at the sail trim from astern gives the trimmer a better view of how the sail looks and how the shape can be improved. We had four trimmers come onto the coach boats today and they all learnt a lot from the exercise.”

“I think there is a real tendency to inhaul too much when it goes super-light,” commented North Sail’s Ian Walker, who was racing on Dark ‘N’ Stormy. “In light airs, the wind has no energy, the air cannot get on the front of the sail unless it can get off the back of the sail, that’s why you need twist. Until you get up to hull speed you must have twist to get the flow over the sail. As soon as you get moving then you can start to sheet on.” 

Cape 31s at the RORC Easter Challenge Photo: Paul Wyeth

“Calculating time over distance is something that everyone needs to work on whether you are a top professional or an amateur, and that is not just about starting. Knowing when the right time is to drop your spinnaker approaching the bottom mark, for example,” commented North Sails’ Neil Mackley." 

“In light airs, sailing in clear air is very important. In four knots of breeze, an extra knot is 20% more wind,” commented Jack Fenwick. “Today, with a short racecourse and plenty of traffic, clear air is probably more important than wind and tidal considerations."

The RORC Cowes Clubhouse was packed with sailors after the debrief and a Crew Buffet was on the menu. Good Friday was Curry Night with teams tucking into Chicken Jalfrezi, Sri Lankan vegetable curry, accompanied by poppadoms and naan bred. The RORC Easter Challenge continues tomorrow, Saturday 8th April with more breeze forecast with a full day of racing scheduled 

Over 200 sailors are expected for the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Easter Challenge on the Solent this weekend.

Three days of racing are organised in The Solent from Easter Friday to Easter Sunday.

For over 20 years, the RORC has held a training regatta over the Easter Weekend. World Sailing Rules on outside assistance are relaxed, so for no additional cost to the teams, hand-picked coaches can provide pin-point assistance to get crews of any level up to speed.

Racing will be in IRC Rated Classes for Grand Prix racers, pocket rocket Cape 31s and HP30 Classes, plus a huge range of performance racer-cruisers. While the regatta attracts some professional teams, the vast majority are passionate corinthian crews looking to sharpen their skills. The RORC Easter Challenge has the traditional prizes of Easter Eggs, but, says RORC, the real winners are all the sailors, improving every aspect of yacht racing ability at a safe and friendly regatta.

As with all RORC racing, the RORC Cowes Clubhouse is open to all competitors.

Entry is open for the RORC Easter Challenge supported by North Sails. From 7th-9th April, the first UK regatta of the Royal Ocean Racing Club 2023 season has up to three inshore races per day scheduled over the Easter Bank Holiday. Complimentary on-the-water coaching is led by RYA Keelboat Coach Mason King and his team. Racing is followed by comprehensive video debriefs at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse. With vital pre-season training and fine-tuning, the RORC Easter Challenge is ideal for any team to kick-start their campaign.

“Race starts are always important, so before the first warning signal on Friday, we will run numerous practice starts,” confirmed RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole. “The RORC Easter Challenge will have a mixture of windward-leeward and round the cans races. A selection of courses and wind angles presents a perfect opportunity to improve your racing. The regatta is suitable for teams with an offshore programme and inshore. The racing will be competitive, but the real goal here is to tune up for the coming season. The courses will be designed to hone boat handling, tactics and navigation. All competitors will get a warm welcome at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse.” 

RORC Easter Challenge - Up to three inshore races per day in the first UK regatta of the RORC 2023 season Photo: Paul Wyeth

RORC Easter Challenge - Coaching on and off the water Photo: Paul Wyeth

With the relaxation of RRS41, the highlight of the event is the availability of experienced coaches on the water to assist teams with getting back up to speed. Mason King’s team will be supplemented by North Sails experts and a drone pilot in a support RIB. Many of the teams will be racing with North Sails experts, including Ian Atkins’ GP42 Dark ‘N’ Stormy which will have North Sails UK General Manager Ian Walker calling tactics. 

"The RORC Easter Challenge is the perfect way to get the season started," commented Ian Walker. "The North Sails team will be out on the water in force and on hand ashore to help with the debriefing. We look forward to helping everyone to blow away the cobwebs, learn some new tricks and get their season up and running in the best possible way."

The RORC Easter Challenge is an open regatta and the RORC Clubhouse debriefs are a great way to rub shoulders with the competition. The RORC Restaurant and Bar will be open to all competitors. Prizes for the RORC Easter Challenge are Easter Eggs, but the real success for every team will be improving performance for the season ahead.

For more information about the RORC Easter Challenge and entries click here

The RORC Nelson’s Cup Series ahead of the Caribbean 600 Race got underway on time in spectacular conditions off the south coast of Antigua. With tropical heat, 16 knots from the east and a significant swell, the south coast of Antigua produced awe-inspiring racing. 

In IRC Two, Antiguan Farr 65 Spirit of Juno skippered by Dublin Bay's David Hanks scored a memorable victory in the first race, taking class line honours and the win after IRC time correction by just over two minutes from Marie Tabarly’s 73ft ketch Pen Duick VI (FRA). Szymon Kuczynski’s Figaro Hultaj (POL) was third. 

In the second race, Spirit of Juno scored their second bullet of the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series, with Pen Duick VI second by just three minutes after IRC time correction.

“We have a charter crew on board, with myself and Verity Rouse as permanent crew, and it was a no-brainer to enter the RORC Nelson’s Cup,” commented Spirit of Juno skipper David Hanks. “When the race series was announced, we were delighted because it was the best way to train for the RORC Caribbean 600; train hard - fight easy. Today, we had two starts, loads of hoists and drops and mark roundings, which was a great way to get the teamwork going for the big race.”

Spirit of Juno skipper David Hanks invited Emily Gaillard on board who is just 15 and the Antiguan Optimist champion. “Emily was a natural on the helm and fitted straight in with the team. We are looking forward to having Emily on board Spirit of Juno for the rest of the series including the Caribbean 600,” commented Hanks. 

OnDeck’s Farr 65 Spirit of Juno skippered by Davis Hanks of Ireland Photo Tim Wright

The daily prize giving for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series was held at the Antigua Yacht Club with English Harbour Rum honouring the lucky winners and the amazing volunteers from the Antigua sailing community, plus Axxess Marine providing complimentary cold beers.

A flotilla of spectator boats and a huge crowd in Marina Lanzarote witnessed the start of the 2023 RORC Transatlantic Race on Sunday, 9th January. In glorious conditions, the fleet got away to a clean downwind start, a mile from Marina Lanzarote. The RORC fleet were in full view of spectators along the seafront of Arrecife, Lanzarote’s capital. As the boats rounded the turning mark outside Puerto Calero, well-wishes shouted encouragement from a pack of ribs and an armada of cruising boats.

After passing under the volcanic mountains of the Los Ajaches National Park, the fleet raced through the narrow Strait of Bocaina, which divides Lanzarote from Fuerteventura. The RORC fleet must leave Tenerife to port, before heading into the wide expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. The next mark of the course is 3,000 miles away across the Atlantic at Glover Island.

Frank Slootman’s MOD70 Snowflake (USA), skippered by Gavin Brady Photo: James Mitchell

Vincent Willemart’s TS42 Banzai (BEL) Photo: James Tomlinson

Multihull Class

Three powerful 70ft trimarans approached the line on port, but undoubtedly the smallest multihull in the race won the start. Vincent Willemart’s TS42 Banzai (BEL) approached the line on starboard, and with right of way, the trimarans respectfully gave way. Frank Slootman’s MOD70 Snowflake (USA), skippered by Gavin Brady, and MOD70 Zoulou (FRA), with Erik Maris at the helm, soon powered up. However, Giovanni Soldini’s Maserati Multi70 (ITA) was not the quickest in light airs, with its four foils more a hindrance in low wind speed. At 17:15 UTC Snowflake was achieving 18 knots of boat speed, a mile ahead of Zoulou, with Maserati four miles astern.

The largest boat in the fleet - Swan 115 Jasi Photo: James Tomlinson

 Volvo 70 Green Dragon, skippered by Cathal Mahon Photo: James Tomlinson

IRC Super Zero

Volvo 70 Green Dragon, skippered by Cathal Mahon of Galway Bay got a cracking start near the pin end, but Volvo 70 I Love Poland, skippered by Grzegorz Baranowski was soon up-to-speed. Swan 115 Jasi (SWE) was a magnificent sight and was the first in class to pass the mark at Puerto Calero. At 17:15 UTC Jasi was through the Strait of Bocaina, three miles ahead of I Love Poland (POL). IMOCA 60 Canada Ocean Racing (CAN), co-skippered by Scott Shawyer & Alan Roberts was third.

 Botin 56 Black Pearl (GER), sailed by Stefan Jentzsch Photo: James Mitchell

Henri de Bokay’s Elliott 52 Rafale Photo: James Mitchell

IRC Zero

Botin 56 Black Pearl (GER), sailed by Stefan Jentzsch, pulled off a stunning start at the pin end and immediately unfurled an enormous gennaker to take the lead on the water. By contrast, Eric de Turckheim’s NMYD Teasing Machine (FRA) chose the inshore end of the line. As the class leaders approached the turning mark at Puerto Calero, Black Pearl was clear away. Henri de Bokay’s Elliott 52 Rafale and Arto Linnervuo’s Infiniti 52 Tulikettu were in the chasing pack with Teasing Machine. A difference in tactics through the Strait of Bocaina saw Black Pearl go to the Fuerteventura coast along with Tulikettu and Teasing Machine. However, Rafale has split gybes heading north of the rhumb line, it will be interesting to see if their different approach pays off.

Pata Negra at sunset Photo: Chris Jackson 

Laurent Courbin’s First 53 Yagiza (FRA), skippered by Philippe Falle Photo: James Mitchell

IRC One

At 17:15 UTC, Laurent Courbin’s First 53 Yagiza (FRA), skippered by Philippe Falle leads on the water from Andrew & Sam Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra (GBR). Lionel Regnier’s Briand 58 L’Esprit D'Equipe was third.

Chris Jackson on board Pata Negra blogged as the sun set on the first day: “Great to start the race and be on our way. All settling in well on Pata Negra. The breeze is a little lighter than we hoped for, but there’s plenty of days to come for that to change. All happy aboard!”

IRC Two-Handed competitors in this year’s race are Kate Cope & Claire Dresser racing Sun Fast 3200 Purple Mist (GBR), and Peter & Duncan Bacon racing Sun Fast 3300 Sea Bear (GBR). Both teams have made a great start, with Sea Bear just ahead on the water, but Purple Mist leading after IRC time correction.

Peter & Duncan Bacon racing Sun Fast 3300 Sea Bear (GBR) Photo: James Tomlinson  

RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton watched the start from the water and spotted a fantastic moment when two historic round the world racing yachts were close-racing as they approached the Puerto Calero mark: “We have some great stories in this race,” commented Jeremy Wilton. “Penduick VI skippered by Marie Tabarly has been beautifully restored, which her father Eric would have been so proud of, and L’Esprit D'Equipe, winner of the ’85 Whitbread is a part of sailing history. The RORC want to attract the high performance boats like the MOD70s, Volvo 70s and the Supermaxi Swan 115 Jasi, but we also want the Corinthians as well. We want diversity and that is really evident in this fleet, with classic yachts and passionate two-handed teams like Kate and Claire on Purple Mist and Peter and Duncan on Sea Bear.”

“It’s fantastic to see the fleet start the race,” commented RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole. “In the build-up, we have had really good communication with the competitors who have given us all the information required in good time. This has allowed us to concentrate on other aspects of the race such as safety inspections. There have been a few tiny things that needed some attention, but all of the boats are well-prepared to cross the Atlantic. We now move to the next phase; monitoring the race 24 hours a day. We wish all of the boats fair winds and we look forward to seeing the competitors in Grenada.

Track the fleet below

Near perfect, record conditions are forecast for the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race, the International Maxi Association and the Yacht Club de France. The international fleet is set to depart Marina Lanzarote on Sunday, 8th January.

Weather forecasts are predicting five days or more of 20 knot plus north-easterlies; a perfect angle for a high-speed 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic Ocean.

The overall winner of the RORC Transatlantic Race is decided by IRC time correction; the glittering prize is the antique sterling silver RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy.

The multihull fleet will race under the MOCRA Rule and for Multihull Line Honours.

The monohull fleet are divided into three IRC Classes with prize winners for each class, including a special prize for the best Two-Handed team.

Multihull race record beckons within the high-performance multihull division Photo: James Mitchell/RORC

Multihull - Race Record beckons

Teams from Belgium, France, Italy and the United States make up the high-performance multihull division. Three of this year’s multihull alumni are turbo-charged MOD70s that are capable of eclipsing the Multihull Race Record (2015, Lloyd Thornburg’s MOD70 Phaedo3, 5 days 22 hrs 46 mins 03 secs).

Giovanni Soldini’s Multi70 Maserati (ITA) is competing for the fourth time and is the reigning multihull race champion, having taken line honours in a photo-finish last year. MOD70 Zoulou (FRA), formerly Powerplay, is sailed by Erik Maris and has a stellar crew, including highly experienced MOD70 driver Ned Collier Wakefield and the enigmatic Loick Peyron. Frank Slootman’s American MOD70 Snowflake is skippered by US-based Kiwi Gavin Brady. Snowflake was formerly race-record holder Phaedo3 and record-holding skipper Brian Thompson is back on board for this year’s race.

Vincent Willemart’s TS42 Banzai is the fourth multihull in the division and while the Belgium team will not be as quick as the 70-foot trimarans, the class winner is decided by MOCRA time correction. Banzai’s crew includes one of Belgium’s most decorated sailors, Michel Kleinjans; winner of the Global Ocean Race and class winner for the Route du Rhum.

Racing in IRC Super Zero - Johannes Schwarz's Volvo 70 Green Dragon Photo: Tim Wright

IRC Super Zero - Maxi Showdown

Four Maxis racing in IRC Super Zero are favourites to take Monohull Line Honours and lift the IMA Transatlantic Race Trophy. The largest boat competing in this year’s race is the Supermaxi Swan 115 Jasi, skippered by Toby Clarke. The 21-strong crew includes top professionals; Ken Read, Paul Wilcox, Mark Sadler, Andy Meiklejohn and Mike Pammenter.

Two Volvo 70s will be racing; the Polish National Foundation’s Volvo 70 I Love Poland is skippered by Grzegorz Baranowski, with Konrad Lipski as navigator. Johannes Schwarz's Volvo 70 Green Dragon has the youngest skipper in the race: Ireland’s 23-year-old Cathal Mahon from Galway.

Scott Shawyer’s IMOCA 60 Canada Ocean Racing will be racing two-handed with Alan Roberts. 

The dock talk among the Maxis is that weather routing software is predicting as quick as eight days, which would threaten the Monohull Race Record (2022, Supermaxi Comanche skippered by Mitch Booth, 7 Days 22 hrs 01 mins 04 secs).

Competing in IRC Zero - Arto Linnervuo’s all-Finnish team on Infiniti 52 Tulikettu Photo: Patrick Condy

IRC Zero – Packed with cutting edge 50-footers

The highest rated boat in IRC Zero is the water-ballast Botin 56 Black Pearl with Stefan Jentzsch at the helm. Black Pearl’s crew, which includes Marc Lagesse, Paul Standbridge, Mitch Booth and Peter van Niekerk are hoping it will be third time lucky for Black Pearl. A broken bowsprit and then a dismasting scuppered the boat’s chances in the last two editions. 

Arto Linnervuo’s all-Finnish team will be racing Infiniti 52 Tulikettu. Linnervuo completed the race in 2018 with his Xp-44 Xtra Staerk, but Tulikettu is on a totally different level. Weighing less than 7000kg and built with DSS side-foils, Tulikettu is capable of adrenaline-pumping speed. Henri de Bokay’s Elliott 52 Rafale sports a canting keel, but still rates lower under IRC than Black Pearl and Tulikettu. Skippered by Philipp Kadelbach, Rafale‘s crew is mainly from Germany and amongst their recent successes includes Line Honours for the Aegean 600. Eric de Turckheim’s NMYD 54 Teasing Machine was the overall winner of the race in 2017. Since the French team’s victory, Teasing Machine has undergone a series of modifications and was in fine form, winning the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race. The Teasing Machine crew includes Volvo Ocean Race winner Laurent Pages and Aymeric Chappellier, who finished on the Class40 podium for the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre.

With a crew from Czechia and Slovakia, Miroslav Jakubcik and Marek Culen will race the smallest boat in IRC Zero; Class40 Sabre II. The co-skippers have raced against each other since childhood but have joined forces to make their first transatlantic race. The largest boat in the class is Marie Tabarly’s 73ft ketch Pen Duick VI, which is also the oldest boat in the race. Originally built for Marie’s father Eric Tabarly for the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race, Pen Duick VI has a great history of Transatlantic racing, including Eric winning the solo 1976 OSTAR.

Racing in IRC One - Andrew Hall’s British Lombard 46 Pata Negra Photo: Tim Wright

Eclectic Mix - IRC One

The most wide-ranging class in the RORC Transatlantic Race features six totally different designs racing under the IRC Rating Rule. Lionel Regnier’s 58ft Philippe Briand-designed L'Esprit D'Equipe, winner of the 1985 Whitbread Round the World Race, is the largest boat. The smallest is Kate Cope’s Sun Fast 3200 Purple Mist, which will be raced Two-Handed with Claire Dresser, hoping to become the first all-women Two-Handed team to finish the RORC Transatlantic Race. Purple Mist’s immediate competition will come from Sun Fast 3300 Sea Bear, which will be raced Two-Handed by Peter and Duncan Bacon. 

Andrew Hall’s British Lombard 46 Pata Negra will be taking part in its fourth RORC Transatlantic Race. Andrew Hall’s son Sam is part of an experienced crew, including Boat Captain Chris Jackson, who confirmed that Pata Negra has reduced her sail area to be more competitive under IRC. Pata Negra’s closest rival on IRC Rating is Laurent Courbin’s French First 53 Yagiza skippered by Philippe Falle. Global Yacht Racing’s British First 47.7 EH01 has been racing with the Royal Ocean Racing Club for many years, but this will be the first RORC Transatlantic Race. EH01’s Irish skipper is Neil Maher, with an international crew from Canada, Germany, Great Britain and the United States. EH01 may not be the fastest boat in her class but has a symmetrical downwind sail plan, giving the tactical advantage of being able to sail a shorter distance to the finish in Grenada.

Racing IRC One - Peter Bacon's Sun Fast 3300 Sea Bear Photo: Paul Wyeth

In the build-up to the race start on Sunday January 8th, sailors taking part in the RORC Transatlantic Race will enjoy a full social programme starting with a Welcome Cocktail Party at the Real Club Náutico De Arrecife. With fascinating battles right through the fleet, race fans can follow the RORC Transatlantic Race as it unfolds. Every boat will be fitted with a satellite tracker and all teams are encouraged to send in their stories from the racecourse.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club has announced the appointment of Steve Cole as the new Racing Manager from 1st January 2023, succeeding Chris Stone, who will continue as a consultant to the Race Management team for the new Nelson’s Cup series in Antigua and the 50th edition of the Fastnet Race.

Steve is from Gurnard on the Isle of Wight and has huge experience having been a senior member of the RORC Racing team for the last five years. Prior to joining RORC, Steve was Managing Director of Cowes Yacht Haven for six years and was joint owner of a boatyard in East Cowes.

As a National Race Officer, he has also previously helped RORC in a voluntary role, including 10 Rolex Fastnet Race starts.

Steve was in charge of the 2022 Round Britain & Ireland Race which was voted Event of the Year at the prestigious British Yachting Awards. He is also the Principal Race Officer for Cowes Week.

A keen sailor himself, Steve has raced inshore and offshore for many years. His first offshore race was in 1978, racing a J/24 to Deauville, and he also competed in the 1992 Round Britain and Ireland Race as boat captain on past RORC Admiral Donald Parr’s Quailo. He has also been involved with Gurnard Sailing Club for many years and will use those skills to assist the Cowes Clubhouse when needed. 

Steve will direct the Race Management Team based in Cowes, Isle of Wight, who work year-round on the RORC Season’s Point Championship; a much-coveted series of offshore races running from January to October. The 2023 RORC Season includes the 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Transatlantic Race and RORC Caribbean 600. Steve will also oversee the programme of inshore events, including the RORC Easter Challenge, Vice-Admiral’s Cup and IRC National Championship.

‘’It is a fantastic opportunity for me to become RORC Racing Manager and I hope to continue the good work already started. Whilst the big boats bring the glamour and prestige to our flagship events, we recognise and appreciate the commitment of our members and competitors who race with us regularly in the smaller boat classes. Hopefully we can continue to expand and improve our programme to suit everyone.’’

The New Year heralds a big season for the Royal Ocean Racing Club, including the 14th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race. The longest race in the 2023 RORC Season’s Points Championship starts from Marina Lanzarote on January 8th.

The RORC Transatlantic Race is once again supported by Calero Marinas, the International Maxi Association and the Yacht Club de France. The destination is Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada, 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, who provide 48hrs of free berthing when competitors arrive.

Twenty-one entries racing under the IRC and MOCRA Rating Rules are confirmed for the RORC Transatlantic Race. Three 70ft trimarans: Maserati, Snowflake and Zoulou will be gunning for the outright race record and Multihull Line Honours. Three fully-crewed Maxi yachts can be counted as favourites for the IMA Transatlantic Trophy for Monohull Line Honours; Swan 115 Jasi and two Volvo 70s, I Love Poland and Green Dragon. At the other end of the spectrum, three teams will be racing with the added challenge of competing in IRC Two-Handed.

American Ken Read - one of the most respected names in the sport will be racing on Jasi. The offshore veteran and President of North Sails has helmed two America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race campaigns, US Sailor of the Year (twice) and has a trophy cabinet stacked with National and World Championship wins © Amory Ross / Puma Ocean Racing / Volvo Ocean Race

An impressive list of the world's most accomplished and celebrated sailors includes American Ken Read, who will be racing on the Swan 115 Jasi, skippered by Toby Clarke. Read will be taking part in his 12th transatlantic, in an illustrious career which includes three round the world races.

“The key goal for Jasi is that the owner and several of his friends are doing the RORC Transat as a bucket-list race. They've never done anything like this before, so we will make sure it stays safe and that they have a blast,” commented Ken Read. “We have a great crew with a lot of experience and it’s going to be fun for us to show them the ropes. Jasi has a great twin-rudder steering system and a big sail-plan, but we have to be smart and slowly work ourselves into fifth gear.” 

A twist of fate pits Swan 115 Jasi against a boat that Read knows very well. The Polish National Foundation’s Volvo Open 70 I Love Poland, was originally PUMA’s Mar Mostro, skippered by Read in the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race. Mar Mostro was also based in Lanzarote prior to the round the world race.

“I can't wait to meet these guys, (I Love Poland),” continued Ken Read. “I've seen the boat a couple times from afar, but I haven't given her a hug, so to speak. You know you get attached to a boat that kind of saved your life from time to time. It would be an honour to get back on the old girl; maybe they can show me a few tricks on how to sail her! Ten years ago, Mar Mostro was based in Puerto Calero and the Calero family looked after us and instantly became part of the family, so I have a lot of familiarity with the superb sailing conditions and the warm welcome. I am sure the Calero family take very good care of this race.”

I Love Poland has an all-Polish team, many of which are under 30 years of age and are participants of a training programme on the Volvo Open 70. I Love Poland has taken Monohull Line Honours in the Rolex Middle Sea Race and Roschier Baltic Sea Race. “For the 2023 edition, we will do our best to sail faster than in 2022,” commented I Love Poland’s navigator, 27-year-old Konrad Lipski. I Love Poland’s elapsed time for the last edition was 10 days 11 hrs 12 mins 50 secs.

“Perfect conditions would be 20+ kts of reaching from start to finish, but that is never a reality,” continued Lipski. “We will analyse the weather in the following days and create a plan. Goal No.1, as always, is to sail safely and finish the race. Anybody who has sailed this kind of boat knows the amount of water that runs down the deck. So, for us, safety has a top priority; we never forget that.”

Of the three teams racing in IRC Two-Handed, the largest is IMOCA 60 Canada Ocean Racing skippered by Canadian Scott Shawyer. British solo-sailor Alan Roberts, winner of the VIVI Trophy for top International in the Figaro class, completes the crew. The RORC Transatlantic Race will be the first double-handed race for the team. For Ontarian Shawyer, the race is a big step towards his ambition to compete in the 2028 Vendee Globe.